So Valentine's day is officially over millions of couples all over the world are snuggled up holding each other close after a romantic dinner, flowers,chocolate and cards. So many couples go out on a limb on this day to create that special ambience and declaration of love that I assume they do or should do all the other days of the year.
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St Valentine was..... well who really knows the records show there were three saints in the Catholic/Christian books all apparently were martyred on February 14th. Hmmmm so how did this so called day of love come about?
Well lets find out
BACK WAYYYYYY back in ancient Roman times there was a festival for Lupercalis/Lupercalia, apparently it was a fertility celebration that used to be observed annually on February 15. However the rise of Christianity throughout Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed then dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. (Why??, I think I need to investigate further for future posts)
Anyway Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius decided he was going to turn Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. I guess he didn't think much of the feast of fertility as he decided to honour Saint Valentine, the Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century instead. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern day honours.
Hmmm considering there were three St Valentine's what made this one so special? Well let's find out shall we?
There are two different versions of St Valentine's story the Protestant and the Catholic one. At least they both agree Saint Valentine was a bishop who secretly held marriage ceremonies for soldiers, against in the orders by Claudius II who decided he didn't want his young men getting married and losing focus off the wars and battles he had engaged them inorder to prevent his city fron being overrun. so he prohibited marriage for young men.
During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end.
Valentine being a man of the cloth and a lover of matrimony made it his mission to give couples the hope and faith that they could sanctify their unions with God's blessing. Although such unions were done in secret word spread like wild fire and Claudius caught the fire and sent his officers to arrest Valentine.
During Valentine's stint behind bars a jailor, who had heard the rumours of Valentine's gift; the power to heal, asked him to heal his blind daughter. As said as done Valentine through faith prayed for the restoration of the daughter's sight.
Claudius II found himself to be impressed by Valentine when he met him. So much so he tried to convert him to his way of worshipping Roman Gods. Valentine declined and in turn tried to convince Claudius to convert him to his religion of serving just the one God. Outraged by Valentine's conviction against, not only, his prohibtion on the ban on marriages but also, his Roman Gods, Claudius II gave the order to execute Valentine.
Throughout Valentine's incarceration a bond was formed between the jailor's daughter. When she heard of his imminent death she was devastated. Apparently Valentine sent her a note and signed it "from your Valentine", a phrase that is still used today.
Historians find the most plausible story surrounding Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
This is how Valentine became a patron saint and February 14 became the day for the lovers. It was acknowledged by young Romans as an annual opportunity to give handwritten greetings to the women they admired.
Once Christianity got their hands on the calendars it became St Valentine's day.
And you know in modern times any opportunity to make money out of a recognised day the industry will run with it.
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Millions of $£¥€ are spent on this day because it's become an international day of expressing love through expensive gifts because society says so.
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Most men couldn't give a hootniny about this day but they would prefer not to leave their woman upset and angry; because Samantha's boyfriend spent 100 bucks getting the biggest floral display he could find delivered to the office.
They also know the bigger the gift the more chance his woman will pull out that sexy little number and give him some nookie especially since for the past months since New Year's she's just been too tired.
Women also use this day to rub it in the faces of their man's mistress, side piece, jump off and baby momma, or whoever else he's breaking a piece off to, that you are number 1 and they need to respect that.
If you celebrate Valentine's day, did you know the meaning of it?
People think about it.... everyday should be acknowledged as a day to express your love to your partner. REMEMBER Love doesn't have a price tag. There shouldn't be any reason to neglect your partner because life is just toooo short not to give your all to your loved one.
How many of you celebrate Valentine's?
How do you celebrate it?
Do you go all out and spend tons of cash?
Guys share your opinion with us I'd be interested to know what you think.
History lesson over thanks for visiting. Look out for my next "Snippet from my mind"
Oh before I up and leave I want to Congratulate my best friend and her now Fiancé -yup he popped the question on Valentine's Day and she said Yesssssss! I love you both.
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