Saturday, February 15, 2014

Thoughts for the Valentine’s Day

Every February 14th  - the day of St. Valentine in the West – is celebrated with great fast, and this “holiday” had penetrated so deeply into the mind of modern man, for if you ask what greater holiday is to be celebrate in February, you are been answered without hesitation: Valentine’s Day! This day becoming a clear marking on the twisted map of consumerism.
Everything that you may want…ceramic vases, underwear, monkeys, jewelry, books, and why not, slippers and bath towels so naturally, as long as there is a demand, these toys will continue to sell.
All like in the real story of the Tower of Babel …
The day of Saint Valentine, the “patron of lovers”, had lost its meaning in legends and the history of the Roman Empire. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints all martyred, called Valentine or Valentinus, but not on this day.
In the Orthodox calendar, the Holy Martyr and Bishop Valentine, is commemorated on July 30. In the Orthodox Church. there are many martyrs who bared his name: Holy Martyrs Mark Sotirih and Valentine – October 24, Holy Martyr Valentina – February 10, St. Valentine the Martyr – April 24, St. Valentine the priest – July 06, and Holy Martyr Valentina – July 18.

 More informations here:
orthodoxword 
churchhistory

Pe 30 iulie, Biserica Ortodoxa face pomenirea Sfantului Mucenic Valentin, episcopul Umbriei.
An de an, ziua de 14 februarie ne pune pe fiecare dintre noi, in calitate de crestini ortodocsi, in fata unui dublu paradox. In primul rand, de Valentine’s Day a auzit toata lumea, astfel incat, la o adica, oricine poate defini succint "sarbatoarea", in timp ce despre viata Sfantului Valentin nu cunoaste nimeni mai nimic.

In al doilea rand, multi sunt contrariati de faptul ca in aceasta zi nu intalnesc in Calendarul Ortodox niciun sfant care sa poarte acest nume. Intamplarea face ca nici Calendarul Romano-Catolic sa nu-l mai pomeneasca in aceasta zi, Sfantul Valentin fiind scos din calendar in 1969 din cauza ambiguitatii datelor referitoare atat la persoana sa, cat si la faptele care au condus la consacrarea lui ca sfant. In prezent, la 14 februarie, catolicii ii amintesc pe Sfintii Chiril si Metodie.

Asadar, nu gresim atunci cand spunem ca Valentine’s Day, cu tot "marketing-ul" aferent, este in Romania - si nu numai - o "sarbatoare" fara sarbatorit.

Despre Valentine’s Day s-a scris si s-a comentat suficient, pro si contra. S-a scris si s-a spus, din pacate, destul de putin despre Sfantul Valentin al Ortodoxiei, praznuit de Biserica in ziua de 30 iulie.

Mai multe informatii aici:
crestinortodox.ro 

3 comments:

ADRIAN said...

I am not a believer but it is sad that all the exciting Christian festivals have been hijacked to the god called profit.

Rick Forrestal said...

So interesting.
Thanks for sharing.

Fram Actual said...

While I knew Valentine's Day had its origins in religion, I never had an actual perception of its depth. You have enlightened me, Daliana, and in future Februarys I think I will pause to dwell more on its historical context and concepts. The day deserves better than it gets from we mere mortals.

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