I'll dress in my satin
As bright as the bee—
But, I'm resolved in my mind
To live single and free.
The Origin of St. Valentine's Day.
The scholarly article on Valentinianism in the Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, vol. 12, omits one point in the practices of that Gnostic school which may be of importance for folklore. The gap is supplied by Reitzenstein (Die Hellenistischen Mysterienreligionen, p. 22), who writes: "In the usage of a section of the Christian Valentinians, in lieu of the Baptismal rite (it was customary) to don bridal attire (ein Brautgema ch zu rüsten), in which the Mystic had to await the descent of the pneuma." In the prophet-consecration of the Gnostic Markos, conversely, women went through a ceremony of marriage with the God, whereby they received the spirit of prophecy, i.e. the "pneumatic word." Valentinus taught about the middle of the second century a.d. This conception of a mystical union with the Deity as symbolised by bridal attire appears also in the Acts of St. Thomas, where the Apostle prays in bridal attire over the newly wedded royal pair; as the garment is fastened Christ is forthwith with them, and in the sexual union with Him both become assured of immortality and the future heavenly marriage.
It may be suggested that some of the customs referred to in my paper on Customary Restraints on Celibacy (Folk-Lore, vol. XXX. p. 63 ff.) are relics of an old "Valentinian" wedding rite, or that the garb of the priest in the Acts of St. Thomas has been adopted as a taunt against celibacy. But, so far, I have failed to find any proof that Valentinianism had any strong footing in the British Isles. It is however certain that some very unorthodox beliefs found a refuge in them. E.g. the Adoptionists may have been the heretics attacked by Bede: F. C. Conybeare, The Key of Truth, p. clxxix. It is certain that Valentinianism spread as far west as Gaul.
