Nestled between Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day offers a moment to reflect on love. Its namesake is St. Valentine, a third century Roman clergyman and martyr, buried on Feb. 14 and associated with courtly love.
The ancient Greeks identified four types of love based on Bible and philosophical interpretation:
• Eros is romantic love and passion.
• Storge refers to familial affection – love between family members.
• Philia represents friendship and love for community. Note Philadelphia’s moniker, The City of Brotherly Love.
• Agape is the highest form of love, the love that God has for us and the charity He bestows.
– Betsie Gambel, Founder, Gambel Communications