I heard the door-bell ring. Donning my mask I opened the door to be greeted by our neighbour. She had been making cookies for her grand-children to have on February 14 and decided to share some with us. Beautiful heart shaped icing topped cookies decorated with sprinkles. Delicious!

St. Valentine’s Day is not in the Anglican Calendar of saints. In the Roman Martyrology it is February 14. Who was St. Valentine? Two martyrs executed by Emperor Claudius II are suggested although they could actually be only one person. One, a Roman priest, was martyred in 270 AD on the Flaminian Way. The other, Valentine, Bishop of Terni, was martyred at Rome for assisting persecuted Christians, for secretly marrying Christian couples in love, and for refusing to reject his faith. His relics were translated to Terni and Valentine became the city’s Patron Saint. Terni, also called the City of Lovers, is famous for it’s waterfalls.

The connection to lovers might come from the belief that birds pair on February 14. Another story says Valentine tutored his jailer’s blind daughter, Julia, while imprisoned. God restored her sight when she and Valentine prayed together. On the eve of his martyrdom, he wrote Julia a note signed, From your Valentine.

Happy Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13