2.14.2017

Happy Valentine's Day

On February 14th we celebrate a day of Love. Cupids Arrow~Chocolate~Candy~Flowers~Cards.

I was wondering how this celebration came into existence. It used to be called St. Valentine's Day, and somewhere along the way, St. was removed. 

This is taken from Wiki:

THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE 
The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

But, there's more. It's also thought Christians marked the day of St. Valentine's death on Feb. 14th to Christianize a pagan ritual called Lupercalia, a fertility festival celebrated on Feb. 15th. 

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?


11 comments:

  1. My hubby and I never did anything for Valentine's Day until my son was born. We got my hubby new plants for his office. We got my son a giant water gun and M&Ms. They got me a bag of black jelly beans. Tomorrow I will get chocolate on sale! :)

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  2. Happy Valentine's Day! That's neat learning more about St. Valentine and how the day possibly came about.

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    1. I always wonder how and why we celebrate different holidays...

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  3. Happy Valentine's Day. I'm not much of a celebrator. Although, this year I did ask hubby if he wanted to go see John Wick on VDay. XDXDXD

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    1. We don't celebrate either. But I did get a box of truffles, exactly what I don't need, but love.

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  4. Leave it to the Christians to change something pagan into something they can celebrate:) I knew a little bit about St. Valentine and know this event comes from him...for the most part:) I bought my hubby a bin for birdseed which he wanted and we always exchange cards (I make my own). I like to have a nice meal and just be with my hubby

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    1. It's a Christian thing to cover up Paganism whenever they can. It's been done for millennials, I believe. I'm not ashamed to say, I'm a devout Christian.

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  5. We had to work, but we celebrated Sunday. Valentines is a sad anniversary for me, so I usually cry.

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  6. Stopping by post-Valentine's... but we usually exchange small presents and go out to dinner. It was a quiet, but lovely evening. Thanks for explaining a bit of the history!

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