A Priest of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Ogwashi-Uku, Rev. Ebi-Mercy Oduh, has clarified the position of the church on Valentine’s Day, stressing that the Christian faith does not observe the celebration as an act of worship but rather uses the cultural moment to teach biblical truths about love and morality.
Speaking on the growing debates surrounding Valentine’s Day celebrations among Christians, Rev. Oduh explained that the church does not sanctify the day as a holy observance but sees it as an opportunity for pastoral teaching and spiritual guidance.
According to her, Scripture permits believers to engage cultural realities as platforms for communicating God’s message without endorsing worldly values attached to them.
She noted that biblical examples support this approach, pointing out that Jesus Christ often used familiar social settings such as weddings, banquets, farming, and everyday human experiences to teach eternal truths.
The cleric also referenced the Apostle Paul’s engagement with Greek culture in Acts 17, where he used an altar dedicated “to an unknown god” to preach about the true God, as well as Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 9:22 about becoming “all things to all people” to reach more souls.
Rev. Oduh stressed that there is a clear distinction between using a cultural moment and sanctifying it. She explained that it would be inappropriate for the church to treat Valentine’s Day as a Christian holy day, incorporate it into formal worship, or allow popular cultural ideas of romance to override biblical teachings.
Instead, she said, the church should use the occasion to correct misconceptions about love by emphasising agape, the selfless, sacrificial love taught in Scripture.
According to her, Valentine-related teachings remain God-honouring when Christ remains central, love is defined according to biblical principles, and messages promote purity, holiness, and commitment within relationships.
She added that pastoral care must extend to singles, married couples, and young people alike, without pressuring individuals into romantic or sexual expression.
The cleric further warned that problems arise when churches celebrate culture instead of guiding it, present lust as love, replace discipleship with entertainment, or ignore the sensitivities of believers whose consciences may be affected.
Rev. Oduh maintained that the issue is not the day itself but the message conveyed during such moments. “When Scripture leads, and culture is corrected, the church is not compromising; it is shepherding,” she said, adding that using Valentine’s Day as a teaching opportunity is biblically permissible and pastorally wise.
