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A brief history of the ❤️ emoji for #ValentinesDay👇
In the 3rd century, Saint Valentine of Rome was a priest ministering to Christians living under persecution.
The help he gave to those Christians made him deeply unpopular with the Roman authorities, and put his life in danger.
On top of this, Valentine defied the Emperor Claudius by secretly marrying Christian couples, which meant the husbands didn’t have to go to war.
To remind those soldiers and persecuted Christians of their vows – and of God’s unfailing love – Valentine is said to have given them hearts cut from parchment. (❤️)
For these acts among others, Valentine was martyred on 14 February and buried in a Christian cemetery north of Rome.
So Valentine stands as an icon of love not just for those in romantic relationships – but for those who suffer, those who are alone, those who are afraid, those who are in danger.
He’s an icon of the truest, deepest love imaginable: the love of Jesus Christ – a love without boundaries, without fear and without end.
So when you send someone a ❤️ today, you’re sending much more than an emoji. You’re sending a symbol of the greatest love there is. I wish you a happy and blessed #ValentinesDay.
