A Head for a Heart

worthy, strong, and powerful; these are the literal definitions of the name given to this would be saint upon his birth. Yet just as time seems to do, you wouldn’t associate these words with him any longer. When you say the word “Valentine”, you are more likely to conjure up images of chocolate truffles, pink hearts, and swan boats. Yes, Valentine's day is once again upon us. Couples and friends alike will flood the supermarkets and Hallmark gift stores to find that perfect item to give to their special someone. Meanwhile, all those within the ranks of single-dom are left reminded that they are without a romantic partner: whether that be by circumstance or by choice. Valentine's day might be a hit for retailers but the man-or-men as we will come to learn, who inspired this holiday was far less concerned with fancy candy and candlelight dinners. These men were fighting for their lives and for the lives of those who they tended over. The heart may have become the symbol for Valentine's day to remind us of our love for one another but the true reminder in this Valentine's day imagery is what that heart is for. Because in 269 AD amid Christian martyrdom in Rome, blood-red was indeed the color that tainted February 14th as is spilled from the body of Saint Valentine, a man whose name still hangs like a banner over this now holiday. --- Thank you for listening to this episode of Itinerant. If you enjoy the show, take a moment to subscribe, rate, and share it on with a friend. Word of mouth is a powerful thing and your recommendation is much appreciated. You can find out more about me and the show at itinerantpodcast.com. I co-host another podcast called The Reckless Pursuit. The Reckless Pursuit is a show dedicated to providing a safe place for Christians to ask unsafe questions. If you need a community of people where you can talk about your questions safely, we might just be your tribe. No matter your current church status or even religious views, all questions are welcome to help us grow and lay down our spiritual baggage. So if you feel like a spiritual Nomad we invite you to stop and rest. The journey is long but the beauty lies within it. Visit us there at https://therecklesspursuit.com. And until next time, keep searching, you never know what mysteries lie ahead.