serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1982!

Saint Valentine's Day
by Rev. Robin Dumolin

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a book entitled "The Nuremberg Chronicle", the great picture book of the fifteenth century, printed in 1493. The text that accompanies the woodcut picture of him states that he was a Roman priest who was a martyr during the reign of Claudius II. The Latin edition of this book states his feast day as March 16, but the German edition that followed declares it to be February 14.

Saint Valentine's actual name was Valentinus. He was said to have demonstrated courage and valor in helping Christian martyrs being persecuted under Emperor Claudius II in Rome, during a time when giving any kind of aid to Christians was considered a crime. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned for this crime.

One year after his imprisonment, Valentinus appeared before the emperor and attempted to convert him to Christianity. The emperor was so impressed with Valentinus' dignity that he tried to save him by converting him to the Roman Gods, asking Valentinus, "wilt thou not abide in amenity and worship idols, and renounce the vain opinion of thy creance?"

Valentinus replied, "Say of thy gods none other thing but that they were men mortal and merchant, and full of odure and evil."

Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned and finally beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. After his death, this gate was known as Porta Valentini, later being renamed Porta Popolo.

There is a legend that says while awaiting his execution, he befriended his jailer's blind daughter whose sight he restored to her. According to Alfonso Villiegas, in his book of Saints, "The jailer was Asterios, one of the Emperor's lieutenants. He and his family were converted to Christianity by St. Valentine, and they were condemned to death by Claudius II. Furthermore, according to legend, on the eve of Valentinus' death, he wrote a farewell message to the jailer's daughter and signed it, 'your Valentine'. "

This is how Valentine's Day evolved. Wolves lived around Rome in ancient times. The wolves killed the sheep outside the city walls, as well as some humans. The Romans prayed to the God Lupercus, guardian of the flocks, to protect them. The holiday started out to honor him. Throughout the years Lupercus became less important. The holiday turned into a celebration honoring Juno, queen of the Roman gods. She ruled over marriage, so the holiday became one of love.

At this celebration it was the custom for boys to draw by lot the names of girls who would be their partners during the feast. Later, when Christian pastors wanted to abolish heathen customs, they gave the celebration a Christian touch by substituting in the lot the name of saints for the name of girls.

By the year 496 AD the Christian church had become very powerful. The head of the church, Pope Gelasius didn't like or believe in the Roman gods. He turned the celebration into a church holiday by honoring St. Valentines death on this day. By 1400 people all over Europe celebrated this day as a holiday as love. When the English came to America, they brought the holiday to the New World.

What about the symbology of Valentine's day? Red hearts have denoted love since ancient times. Ribbons go back to the days when ladies gave ribbons to their favorite knights when they went to war. Roses and violets both stand for love. Lace comes from a latin word, it means "to catch". Lace was supposed to catch the heart of a loved one. Cupid was the Roman god of love.

Featured Meditation - Download it now!

How to Attract the Perfect Mate
by Rev. William Duby
voice: Debi Livingston

You CAN attract the perfect mate! Use this recording to get into your subconscious mind and exercise your imagination while in the positive trance state. Picture and feel what you want to experience while in trance and watch it unfold in your outer experience. This recording can help you easily move through any blocks to visualization and become certain about your ability to do it. It helps you to realize yourself as an individual who has the ability to create your life from the inside out. You can then focus your imagination upon attracting a mate that is most suitable for you.

Track 1: Trance Experience (45:32)

Order and Download Now
MP3 Format $9.95

We do Parties!