Karl Marx once said: “Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please, they do not make it under self- selected circumstances.”
This belief aptly captures the situation under which the Roman priest made history. He did not die so that people can set a day aside for sex. During the reign of Emperor Claudias, the Christian church was persecuted. The emperor decreed against marriage, believing that marriage and the sense of responsibility it awakens in men makes them weak soldiers.
The priest, Valentine in opposition of this law, secretly tied the knot for young people in the church. This defiance led to his death, which was particularly carried out to serve as an example for defiant citizen. When he was finally caught, he was killed on February 14, 269 AD.
His sentence included beating, stoning and was summed up by decapitation. Commenting on the great sacrifice Father O’Gara, said: “There comes a time when you have to lay your life upon the line for what you believe.”
It is correct to say that history has had an entirely different interpretation far away from its original context.
The excess recorded on this historic day has led to Iran’s clerical establishment to ban the celebration of that day, terming it as a cultural threat among other reasons. All items related to valentine was banned from being sold by shops.
An alternative ancient Iranian festival was promoted in its place, the Sepandarmaz (a celebration of the goddess of fertility and earth). It is a day gifts are offered to women.
Valentine may have lost a lot of its original principle, but the defiance the Iranians have shown against this legislation has a semblance of the original history who continue to enjoy this memorable day in cafes and exchange gifts.
All is not lost for Val. We can make the celebration relevant today by reflecting on sacrifice made by this the saint of love, as we honour this day we should make out time to reach out those who are in need. These needs may be financial or otherwise, with the rising rate of depression and anger in our society, we can heal each other just by sparing time during the celebration.
