Saint Valentine is especially revered in Orthodoxy. She is the personification of faith, endurance and mercy. If you turn to the Benefactor every day, then faith in God will only be strengthened, and the soul will be cleansed of sins and prodigal thoughts. To this day, the Great Martyr Valentina comes to the aid of those who are desperate, cannot find their way, live in poverty, work tirelessly and yet do not reap the benefits.
The saint also strengthens love in the family, gives respect, peace, prosperity, protects from dangers, enemies, emergencies and natural disasters. Read on to learn more about the role of Saint Valentine in Orthodoxy.
Saint Valentine is especially revered in Orthodoxy
Life of Saint Valentine of Caesarea
The life of Saint Valentine was completely dedicated to the Lord. For this boundless love, she suffered humiliation and painful death. The Blessed One lived in the Egyptian city of Caesarea. At that time it was considered one of the most luxurious in the entire Mediterranean. Today, only ruins remain of this once rich and large place.
At that time, Caesarea was ruled by Diocletian, who hated the Lord and worshiped idols. Therefore, he wished death to everyone who had ever mentioned Jesus Christ and indulged in prayers to the Christian God.
Valentina of Caesarea was one of these people. She was a righteous woman, helped the poor, firmly believed in the Lord and followed His commandments.
When Maximilian learned that the woman refused to worship his deity, he sent his soldiers after her. They brought her to a pagan temple and ordered her to present a sacrifice to the idol. But Valentina refused to do this. Moreover, when she approached the altar, she threw a stone at it, turned away and wanted to leave.
This greatly angered Maximilian. For such an act, he ordered her to be beaten and then her head to be cut off. During the beating, the Saint was beaten with rods and her ribs were broken. But Valentina endured and prayed to God all the time. After this, the Great Martyr was executed.
Curriculum Vitae
Not much is known about the life of Saint Valentine of Caesarea. A virgin with that name actually lived in Palestine and firmly believed in Christ. Her life and martyrdom in the name of the most holy faith will never be forgotten by Christians.
Origin
Valentina lived in Palestine at the end of the 3rd century and died in the 8th year of the 4th century. The virgin came from the Palestinian city of Caesarea. The saint went down in history under the name Valentina of Caesarea. This woman's family also, in all likelihood, professed Christianity.
Life of the Martyr
Valentina lived during the reign of the Roman emperors Gaius Maximian and Maximin Daza. Each of these rulers believed in and worshiped pagan Gods. Valentina, a resident of Caesarea, was a Christian. Believers in the Savior gathered in ancient Gaza and other cities and read the Holy Scriptures. The worship of Jesus Christ displeased the Roman rulers, who only worshiped their pagan Gods. Christians were persecuted for their faith, their churches were closed, and holy books were burned.
Valentina, despite persecution, remained a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. The ruler of the Palestinian region, Firmilian, by order of the Roman emperor, was obliged to fight Christians. He ordered the capture of the Palestinian women who believed in Christ - Hennath and Paul. They were brought to trial and severely beaten for believing in the Savior.
Valentina from Caesarea interceded for the sisters in faith. Firmilian ordered her to go to a pagan temple and make a sacrifice to the Gods. However, Valentina threw a stone into the sacrificial fire and turned her back to it. For such insolence towards the Gods, the maiden was sentenced to death.
Death of the Great Martyr
For non-worship of the pagan Gods, they decided to execute Valentina of Caesarea. At first the woman was tortured: she was beaten half to death. At the end of the torture, at the order of the ruler, the saint's head was cut off with a sword. The same fate befell the sisters in faith, Paul and Hennath. Before her death, Valentina thanked God for everything that befell her. The woman did not renounce the Savior and humbly accepted execution from her tormentors.
Icons of St. Valentine
Now it is clear what significance Saint Valentine has in Orthodoxy, what the Great Martyr is asked for and in what cases Christians fall before her icon.
Since the Benefactor always defended her faith in the Lord and did not abandon it even when she was threatened with death, people can safely turn to her to bestow courage, boldness, and determination.
The saint comes to the aid of those who are planning to start some important business
Saint Valentine also comes to the aid of those who are planning to start some important business. If a person is haunted by life’s difficulties, then the Great Martyr will never leave the one asking in trouble.
In addition, the Holy Martyr Valentine comes to the aid of the sick. Even those who have been diagnosed with a fatal disease can bow before her face.
If a person’s faith is weakening and his head is filled with tempting thoughts, then in this case you can also turn to the image of Valentina. She will tell you where to go, strengthen faith in God and protect you from troubles, despair, grief and misfortune.
What do they ask the saint for?
In the most holy prayer addressed to Valentina of Caesarea, believers glorify the woman who chose faith in the Lord over all earthly blessings. Christians ask the virgin to help them not to deviate from their faith in God, and also to remain faithful followers of the Savior’s teachings until the end of their lives.
Believers pray to Valentine of Caesarea for intercession and intercession. People believe that prayer requests addressed to the saint from Caesarea will help them be saved from sin, protected from enemies and devilish machinations, and healed from illnesses. They pray to this holy woman when they want to maintain harmony in the family, to protect the marriage from disintegration. The saint is asked to bestow Christian love and tolerance, to preserve faith in Christ.
How to Pray Saint
It is better to contact the martyr Valentina through her icon. It is known that images of Saints are conductors between the earthly world and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, if you want your prayer to be heard and Valentina to come to your aid faster, you need to buy her icon in the temple.
It is better to contact the martyr Valentina through her icon
You can read the petition both at home and in church. The position of the body does not matter. The main thing is that the words of prayer come from the heart. There should not be any extraneous thoughts.
It’s good if you put a lit church candle in front of the icon. The room should be quiet and calm when addressing Valentina.
It’s good if you put a lit church candle in front of the icon
One should not turn to Saint Valentine of Caesarea if a person is pursuing negative goals or wants a wish to be fulfilled. Higher powers always feel the purpose of prayers.
The name Valentina in the Saints
This anthroponym can be found three times in the church name book: February 23, July 29 and November 10.
Valentina and Alevtina are independent names, but it is believed that they have common roots and are identified in the church world.
Meaning of the name
The anthroponym Valentin (from the Latin Valens), meaning “strong,” “strong,” “healthy,” came to Rus' with Orthodox monks from Greece. From it the feminine form “Valentine” was formed, with the same meaning. Parents often called their daughter this name so that she would not get sick and live long.
Main features
The main character traits correspond to the meaning of the name: strength, firmness, composure, healthy spirit. There is another dominant feature, but one that runs counter to the above: sensuality.
Character
Women whose name has a masculine version, as a rule, have the makings of an “iron” character. This also applies to Valyusha. Being good-natured and attentive to people, they remain strict with themselves and others. Bearers of the name are self-sufficient, disciplined, do not look for a strong shoulder for support, and try to remain in the shadows. This firmness helps to stoically endure the blows of fate.
Other positive character traits:
- hard work;
- courage;
- prudence;
- practicality.
Character flaws include excessive straightforwardness and gullibility. Valya tries to see positive qualities in people and does not look for vices, but it is easy to turn her against someone. Without understanding the essence of the issue, a woman can condemn an innocent man.
In marriage, Valechka is a reliable wife, a loving mother and an exemplary housewife.
Prayer to Saint Valentine
The words of the prayer can be read at any time of the day. It is better to memorize the petition, or write it on a sheet of paper with your own hand and take it out when problems arise.
Here are the words of the prayer to the Great Martyr Valentina of Caesarea:
“Oh, long-suffering and wise martyr of Christ Valentino! Now, in honor of your holy memory, we, sinners and unworthy ones, diligently run to you and pray with the tenderness of our hearts. You loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ more than all earthly blessings, and you faithfully followed Him through all your life, nourishing your soul with Divine grace. Ask us also for the grace that enlightens us, so that we may be overshadowed by it, in faith and piety, in the labors of chastity and love, and we may serve Christ in His neighbors without laziness. Pray that our Savior will vouchsafe us to complete our earthly journey without stumbling, and to end our life in peace and repentance, so that after living on earth, we will be vouchsafed eternal and blessed life in heaven, and there with you and with all the saints, together we will praise the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible , and let us sing the One Divinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen".
Valentine the Great Martyr and her icon are venerated in the Orthodox Church in the month of July, on the 16th and 29th.
Where to put the icon of St. Valentine
If possible, it is better to place the icon of Valentina of Caesarea, like all the others, on the eastern side. If difficulties arise with this, then it’s okay. You just need to find a visible and easily accessible place for her, where nothing will interfere with contacting Valentina.
It is better to place the icon of Valentina of Caesarea on the eastern side
It is also desirable that the icon be located away from televisions, computers, tape recorders and other equipment. You should not place various figurines, photographs, paintings next to it. In general, it is better to allocate a separate shelf for the image of Valentina, so that during prayer you will not be distracted by foreign objects.
Flowers must grow next to the face. The icon can also be decorated with a towel.
It is believed that images of Saints should not hang on walls
It is believed that images of Saints should not hang on walls; it is better to place them on a hard surface. It is allowed to place a lamp nearby, which can be lit during prayer, and on Sundays left burning until nightfall.
Valentine's name day according to the Orthodox calendar
Three times a year, women with this name celebrate this holiday. Name day is the day of remembrance of the saint whose name was given to a person at Baptism.
According to the church calendar, they fall on certain days:
- February 23 and July 23 – martyr Valentina of Caesarea (Palestinian), virgin;
- June 17 – Blessed Valentina Minskaya (Sulkovskaya).
Please note: name days should not be confused with Angel’s Day, which is celebrated on the day of a person’s Baptism, and name days fall on the day of remembrance of a saint.
