Valentine’s Day and Real Love cgg.org

God’s people reject Valentine’s Day due to its pagan origins and lack of biblical support.

Who Was Saint Valentine?
Two Saint Valentines lived in the third century AD: a Roman priest and the Bishop of Terni. Both were martyred on February 14 and buried along the Via Flaminia. No historical evidence links them to romance; later legends claim Valentine secretly married couples, but these arose centuries after their deaths.

Origins of Valentine’s Day
The holiday traces back to Roman fertility festivals, particularly the Lupercalia on February 15, honoring the god Lupercus. Rituals included young priests running through the city, striking women with animal-skin thongs to promote fertility.

How Did Lupercalia Become Valentine’s Day?
Lupercalia persisted even after Christianity’s rise. In AD 494, Pope Gelasius I replaced it with the Feast of the Purification, initially celebrated on February 14. Eventually, the date was assigned to Saint Valentine.

God’s Perspective
The Bible repeatedly warns against adopting pagan practices. Passages like Exodus 34:12-17 and Deuteronomy 12:29-32 command God’s people to avoid pagan customs and adhere to His laws and festivals.

What Should We Do?
Christians should reject Valentine’s Day, focusing instead on God’s holy days. Adults can politely decline invitations, while parents should help children navigate school celebrations.

Love for God
True love for God means obedience to His commandments (I John 2:3, 5). By abstaining from worldly holidays, believers can better honor God’s plan through His Sabbaths and holy days.

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