O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for
Youth Leaders and Volunteers in the Diocese
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for
The Anglican Church of Bangladesh
February 14
The Feast Day of Cyril and Methodius
On February 14 The Episcopal Church recognizes Cyril and Methodius, brothers born in Thessalonika who were apostles to the southern Slavs and founders of the Slavic literary culture. (I dare you to send your loved one a card that says Happy Cyril and Methodius Day!) Check your handy Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2022 for more on Cyril and Methodius and get their Collect of the Day.
The rest of the country will be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. According to the History Channel, St. Valentine (a real person who died in the third century AD) was a martyr with acts “known only to God.” Some say he was a temple priest who was beheaded near Rome by emperor Claudius II for helping Christian couples get married. Other accounts claim he was a the Bishop of Terni – but still killed by Claudius. Because of the confusion (maybe there were two guys?), the Catholic Church discontinued liturgical veneration of St. Valentine in 1969 but he is still officially recognized as the patron saint of lovers, those with epilepsy, and beekeepers. What those have in common is known only to God.
I happen to know two Valentines. One is a boy. One is a girl. What about you? Do you know someone named after a saint?