The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Rt Rev. Dr Lt Col Bliss Kofi Agbeko (retd), has cautioned young people against engaging in promiscuous acts during Valentine’s Day celebrations, stressing that the occasion was never intended to promote casual or irresponsible sexual activity.
According to him, the celebration traces its origins to the 14th-century Roman Empire, where it was associated with fertility rites known as Lupercalia. The rites involved sacrifices and purification rituals believed to enhance fertility in women.
“It was also a day for people to match men and women for marriage, ward off infertility and evil spirits. Later, the day evolved into a time when people shared gifts with those they had genuine affection and sympathy for. The most common gift became chocolate and it eventually became known as Chocolate Day,” he explained.
Speaking to The Mirror, Rev. Dr Agbeko said Valentine’s Day was also historically linked to warfare in Rome, where unmarried men were considered better soldiers. He noted that St Valentine began officiating marriages to excuse newlyweds from military service for a year.
“For that conduct, St Valentine was jailed. While in prison, he reportedly assisted his jailer’s daughter in affirming her love for her partner. This worsened his plight and he was eventually executed, earning martyrdom,” he recounted.
The moderator further stated that it was once believed that February 14 marked the mating season for birds — a notion he said had been misinterpreted by some young people as justification for sexual indulgence.
He added that by the 19th Century, Valentine’s Day had become heavily commercialised, with businesses capitalising on the sale of cards, chocolates and heart-shaped gift boxes symbolising love.
Rev. Dr Agbeko emphasised that St Valentine died out of love for humanity and not to promote immorality.
“Let us truly engage in ways that will help the poor and vulnerable who need God’s love, not sexual love,” he urged.
He warned that reckless behaviour on Valentine’s Day often left young people emotionally wounded.
“Let us not create situations where people engage in promiscuity and later face rejection, leaving them in misery and pain after Valentine’s Day,” he cautioned.
The moderator maintained that true love must be genuine, selfless and life-affirming.
Mama Atrato II
Meanwhile, the Queen mother of Ho-Dome, Mama Atrato II, has also called on young people to abstain from immoral activities during Valentine’s Day celebrations.
She expressed concern about rising HIV infection rates in the country, particularly in Ho, describing the trend as alarming and disheartening. She stressed that abstinence remained the safest way to avoid infection.
According to her, Valentine’s Day should be a time to exchange gifts as a symbol of genuine affection not an occasion for reckless and sinful behaviour that could result in long-term pain.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh