Let's join the cynical horde and remind ourselves that today is a Saint's Day--of sorts--not officially recognized by the Catholic Church, but a Saint's Day nonetheless--and that according to story, St. Valentine was horribly martyred--
First, for your enjoyment, a link to The Onion's take on the "holy day."
When I went to do my "research" (and by this I don't mean a thorough academic source-searching, but rather a lazy click on Wiki) on this hapless fellow, I discovered that there's a bit of mystery and confusion surrounding him, but I liked one version best:
"The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in the Nuremberg Chronicle, (1493); alongside the woodcut portrait of Valentine the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't finish him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate."
Are you catching the key words here? "Martyrdom"? "clubbed, stoned, and beheaded"?
Now that's my kind of Valentine's Day. But then again, I'm the girl who loves Krampus.
13 comments:
i knew i liked you for a reason, sugar! ;) xoxoxo
(drop by, there's something for you on my site!)
Interesting. I have learned something new and appreciate your style, my friend.
Hi Savannah! Ah, yes, we are perhaps in some degree of cynical agreement on this? ; ) back at you--
NSCG--by the way, every time I see sweet Gracie on your avatar, it makes me smile. I'm so glad I get to have a picture of her on my blog!!!
That's not referring to Valentin von Terni, bishop, martyr of the 3rd century, who's day is the 14th of Fewbruary.
It seems that both, along with several others, are considered for this day in varying sources. It's not even clear to me whether they're different. Since it's not really recognized by the Catholic Church anyway, I'm going with the guy who was beaten and beheaded--it's the most fun!
I do believe that the one of whom I speak is the original though.
Just read your Krampus post- my head picture of you expands....!
Your healthy cynicism is welcome - on a day which is a downer for many!
Sweet jaysus.. as if I didn't have enough fecking saints to cross ma-sel o'er when I'm feeling guilty and aboot to sin.
And mother of mercy.. I'm planning on sinning big time tonight with the ladies, so I am.
After tonight they'll be changing the name to St Jimmy's Day, and everyone will get blootered once a year in my honour.
Saint Jimmy of the Holy Bastarts! Its got a good ring aboot it already, reet?
Good one, Leah. I'm off to pull out my old & tattered Picture Book of Saints and see what it has to say!
I'll take my sweet $3 stuffed dog I got for valentine's day over stoning and beheading any day. Hope yours was grand!
Saint Jimmy--we will certainly drink to your honor m'dear!
Megan--I already checked out my Butler's Saints and it was still confusing on the topic.
Cece--Sarge thought V-Day was Tuesday, but Hedgie remembered!
Heh. Just wait till St. Patty's day when I reveal that he was never irish at all, but English, and kidnapped by the irish, and raised as such.
I'm such a bitch.
And I'm really pissed that Valentine turned out to be a priest.
I"m such a bitch.
I think Im pmsing because I kind of hate EVERYTHING today.
Plus I washed my car and it rained right after. Grrr...
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