THE HISTORY OF

VALENTINE
CELEBRATION.
Bro. Robert Eikpe
INTRODUCTION:-The history of
Valentine’s Day celebration is very
much like Christmas day celebration
which is rooted in Roman culture and
Catholic traditions. In both cases, we
see an attempt to Christianize Pagan
Customs by trying to give them
Christian Significance. Hence we see
both celebrations having customs that
are not traceable to the bible.
1) The City Of Rome:-was
founded about C.753B.C. by the
twin brothers Romulus and
Remus. The city of Rome was
named after Romulus (1.Halley’s
Bible Handbook P.492; 2. History
for West Africa Secondary
Schools by F.K.BuahP.20,137)
2) The Lupercal Cave:-this was
where it was believed that the
twins were nursed by a wolf-
(Lupus-Latin for wolf). The wolf
became a tribal Totem of
Lupercus, a Roman god of
fertility–Lupercalia Festival.
3)Lupercalia festival was a pastoral
festival of ancient Rome observed
annually on February 15, to purify the
city, promoting health and fertility.
Lupercalia was also known as
“diesfebruatus” (day of purification)
after the purification instrument called
Februa, the basis for the month named
Februarius–Wikipedia.
4) The priests of Lupercus, known as
Luperci sacrificed a Female Dog
representing a She-wolf and two
male goats in the cave on behalf of
these shepherds who believed that
would give their flock fertility and
protections from the wolves.
The Luperci priests would slice the
sacrificed goats into pieces and use the
shreds to whip and slap dancers and
celebrants who welcomed it believing
It will make them, their land and their
flock fertile for the year.
5)Lupercalia Festival celebrated in
mid February14/15 was also
dedicated to funus the Roman god
of Agriculture and Livestock.
During the middle ages, it was
commonly believed in France and
England that Mid-February being the
beginning of spring, was the
beginning of birds’ mating season
which added to the myth that mid-
February–Valentine’s Day should be a
day of romance. History.com
Lupercalia, which celebrated the
coming offspring, included fertility
rites and the pairing of women with
men in a lottery (Encyclopedia
Britannica).
Part of the tradition of this celebration
later in the day, is that all the young
women in the city would place their
names in the big pot (Urn).The city’s
bachelors would each choose a name
and become paired for the year with
his chosen woman. This matches often
ended in marriage. History.com
Bachelors and Spinsters in Rome
looked forward to this Lustful
romance as much as the sons of
Benjamin looked to the virgin dancers
of Shiloh in order to catch a wife
(Jgs.21:19-21).
Unlike Valentine Day however,
Lupercalia was a bloody, violent and
sexually charged celebration awash
with animal sacrifices, random
matchmaking and coupling in the
hopes of warding off evil spirits and
infertility - History.com.
This was the prevailing condition in
Roman Pagan Culture for about one
thousand (1000) years before the time
of Valentine in the 3rd century AD.
 After the reign of Emperor
Commodus, (AD180 -192) there was
civil war in the Empire. All the
Emperors from AD 192–AD 284
were referred to as Barracks
Emperors.
 Amongst these Emperors were:
i. Galienus (260–268 AD) he was
favorably disposed to Christians.
ii. Claudius II Gothicus (268–270AD)
(May 10, 214AD–April 270 AD, aged
55 years). He was named Gothicus
because he decisively defeated the
Gothic invaders from the Balkans in
the Battle of Naissus in 269 AD.
During his reign, Saint Valentine was
beheaded on February 14, 270 AD.
iii. After him came Aurelian who reigned
from 270–275 AD. He was born on
Sept. 9, 214 and was assassinated on
Sept. 25, 275. As Emperor, he won an
unprecedented series of military
victories which reunited the Roman
Empire after it had disintegrated
under pressure of Barbarian invasions
and internal revolts–Wikipedia
The Catholic Church recognizes at
least three different Saints named
Valentine or Valentinus all of whom
were martyred. Whichever one of
them it was, the story line is the same.
One legend contends that Valentine
was a priest or bishop who served
during the 3rd century in Rome.
When Emperor Claudius II decided
that single men made better soldiers
than those with wives and families, he
outlawed marriage for young men.
Valentine realizing the injustice of the
decree, defied Claudius and continued
to conduct marriages for young lovers
in secret.
When Valentine’s actions were
discovered, Claudius II ordered that
he be put to death, others insist that it
was St.Valentine of Terni, a bishop
who was also beheaded by Claudius II
for the same offence.
Another legend states that Valentine
while in prison actually sent the first
“Valentine greeting” himself after he
fell in love with a young girl possibly
his jailors daughter who visited him
during his confinement.
Before his death, it is alleged that he
wrote her a letter and signed “from
your Valentine” an expression that is
still in use today. – History.com
Claudius II executed two men both
named Valentine on February 14 of
different years in the 3rd century (269–
270AD).
Their martyrdom was honoured by the
Catholic Church with the celebration
of Saint Valentine’s Day. These two
accounts could actually be referring to
the same incident and to one person –
Wikipedia.
Therefore, when lovers express their
affection with greetings and gifts on
February 14, given their similarities, it
has been suggested that the holiday or
celebration has its origins in the
Roman festival of Lupercalia held in
mid - February.
While some believe that Valentine’s Day
is celebrated in Mid-February to
commemorate the anniversary of Saint
Valentine’s death, 270AD, others claim
that the Christian church decided to mark
February 14 as St.Valentine’s martyrdom
in an effort to Christianize the pagan
celebration of Lupercalia festival
dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of
Agriculture and Livestock.
Lupercalia survived the initial rise of
‘Christianity’ but was outlawed as it was
deemed “unchristian” at the end of the 5th
century(496AD) by Pope Gelasius I who
forbade the celebration of Lupercalia and
replaced it by celebrating February 14, 496
in honour of Saint Valentine who was
killed in Rome on Feb. 14, 269 or 270 AD
for conducting marriage in defiance
against the decree of Claudius II.
It was not until much later however,
that the day became definitively
associated as a day of romance until
about the 14th century AD,
Encyclopaedia Britanica.
When you ask for the Bible basis for
Valentine’s Day celebration, the only
scripture that is put forward Is I Cor.13:1-
8, which discusses the qualities of love
(Agape), 2 Corinthians (Charity) (KJV).
However the love described in I Cor.13 is
not the love on display on Valentine day
rather it is friendship and amorous love at
best or youthful lust at worst.
The Greek language has at least six words
for love and three words for lust or desire
that can help us.
 AgapaoG25 – Moral, devoted and godly
love. Matt.v5:43ff; Mk.12:36
 Agape G26 – Benevolent love of God
Lk.11:42; cf Jn.15:13
 Phileo G5368 – Affection, feeling or
friendship Jn.15:19;21:17
 Eros, Amorous, erotic or sexual love –
cupid
 Thelo-ethelo G2309 – Desire or to will
or want Mk.12:38
 Storge – Family love for blood relative
Lust also has many Greek words:
 Orexis G3715 – Excitement of the mind,
longing after lust. Rom.1:27
 EpithumiaG1939–long or desire
especially for what is forbidden, lust
after Covet (Rom.7:7; Jas.1:14, I
Jn.2:16)
 Pathes GK3806 – Passion, inordinate
affection, desire (IThess.4:5; Rom.1:26;
Col.3:5)
 Thebible speaks copiously against
youthful lusts and sexual copulation
outside the marriage bond which is very
much on display on Valentine’s Day. As
a matter of fact, many young people see
February 14 as a day of free for all sex
without moral boundary; this is very
unfortunate.
We are advised to flee youthful lusts (I
Tim.2:22; Rom.6:12; 13:14; Gal.5:24ff).
We must move on from our past behaviors
of lust and reckless low living Tit.3:3;
Eph.2:3; 4:22.
It is true that the concept of Saint
Valentine’s Day has been bastardized by
fornicators and adulterers. But if we’re
called to remember the true story of
Valentine which is the DEFENSE of the
right to MARRY even in times of WAR
you will agree that it is not against
Christian ethics for lovers to marry
(I Cor.7:2,9:26ff
 Forthe avoidance of doubt, Valentine’s
Day celebration is not for fornicators
(boyfriends and girlfriends) but ought to
be for genuine suitors and intending
couples who believe in the sanctity of the
marriage institution. (Gen.2:18,24;
Eph.5:31; Matt.19:4-6).
 No Fornicator or Adulterer has a home in
the kingdom of God, so be warned
(ICor.5:9;6:9).
 Let marriage be held in honour, and let
the marriage bed be undefiled; but
fornicators and Adulterers God will
judge (Heb.13:4).
God bless you, the Israel of God!
(Rom.2:29; Gal.6:16)
 Lecture 1 Delivered on
The History of Valentine
Celebration
by Bro. Robert Eikpe (COC
Ogbeson)
08056028609