Pruelpo Shares: The Significance of February Fourteen

Image by ilovebutter via Flickr

The coming of February 14, the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, the celebration is not only for Lovers Day as others call it but also it is the day to remember deaths, births and other remarkable events that are already written as history.

Interesting incidents happened before and during February 14. In Saudi Arabia, during the year 2002, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine’s Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, as the day is considered a Christian holiday. And in 2008, this ban created a black market of roses and wrapping paper.

In Pakistan, the Jamaat-e-Islami political party has called for the banning of the holiday. Despite this, the celebration is increasingly popular and the florists expect to sell great amount of flowers, especially red roses.

In Iran, the first part of the 21st century, the celebration of Valentine’s Day has been harshly criticized by Islamic Teachers who see the celebrations as opposed to Islamic culture. In 2011, the Iranian printing works owner’s union issued a directive banning the printing and distribution of any goods promoting the holiday, including cards, gifts and teddy bears.

The Islamic officials in Malaysia warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine’s Day, linking it with vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was “not suitable” for Muslims. On Valentine’s Day 2011, Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department’s ban against the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

At least there are three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under date of 14 February. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland. 

Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna about AD 197 and was said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He was also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni. Of the third Saint Valentine, who suffered in Africa with a number of companions, nothing further is known.