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Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
For his martyrdom and dedication for the cause Valentine was
name a Saint after his death. By Middle Ages, Saint Valentine
became popular as the patron saint of love and lovers in England
and France to the extent that Pope Gelasius declared February 14
as Valentine's Day on 498 AD and put an end to pagan
celebrations. Thus, Saint Valentine's martyrdom day became an
occasion to celebrate love.
Another famous legend on Saint Valentine states Valentine was
an early Christian in Rome who was very popular amongst
children. But during the time when Valentine lived, Roman
regime was not in favour of Christianity and it even persecuted
Christians to make Rome free of the followers of Christianity. In
spite of this strict law, Valentine continued to practice his faith
and refused to worship Roman Gods. This enraged Emperor
Claudius II and he put Valentine into prison.
Valentine is said to have spent a year in rigorous imprisonment
during which he was missed a lot by children. They began to
toss loving notes and flowers between the bars of his cell
window. To an extent, this legend may explain the tradition of
exchanging notes and flowers on Valentine's Day.
Some scholars believe that during his stay in prison
Valentine made friends with jailer's blind daughter who
at times brought to him notes and flowers from children.
Whenever, possible Valentine also replied to the notes.
Days before his execution, Valentine prayed for the
jailer's daughter and she regained her sight. Before his
death, Valentine is also said to have written a farewell
note for the jailer's daughter and signed it "From Your
Valentine”. This expression is popular even till date.
Some scholars believe that Valentine was killed because
he tried to help Christians escape from the Roman prison
as they were being tortured and beaten. Yet another set of
scholars say Emperor Claudius II was impressed by
Valentine's kindness and good behavior. He even stated
that Valentine could be freed if he agreed to worship
Roman Gods. Valentine not just refused he even tried to
convert Emperor to Christianity. This made Claudius very
angry and he ordered his execution. Valentine was
beheaded on February 14.
Some scholars talk about the presence of yet
another Saint Valentine related to Valentine's Day
celebration of February 14. This Valentine was a
Bishop residing in Interamna (today known as
Terni) in Italy in the Third Century. He is said to
have dedicated his life to the Christian community
of Terni, becoming the first Bishop of the town.
People adored Bishop Valentine and the fame of
his holiness and miracles reached Rome.
Valentine's was also linked with love because he is
believed to be the first religious personage to
oversee the celebration of marriage between a
pagan man and a Christian woman. This Saint
Valentine is believed to have been scourged,
imprisoned and beheaded by Placidus, Prefect of
Interanma. The relic bones of this Saint Valentine
are housed in a basilica in Terni. To commemorate
the saint, every year on February 14, the town of
Terni hosts exhibitions, fairs and cultural events.
During the Middle Ages, people in
England and France held a popular
belief that birds started to look for a
mate from February 14. This popular
notion further strengthened the idea
that Valentine's Day festival that falls
in the middle of February should be
celebrated as the day of love and
romance. The concept soon gained
ground amongst the lovers and they
began to celebrate the day by
exchanging love notes and simple gifts
like flower.
Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine
served as a priest at the temple during the reign of
Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine
jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius
set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for
exchanging love messages and St. Valentine
became the patron saint of lovers. The date was
marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as
flowers. There was often a social gathering or a
ball. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is
given credit for sending the first valentine cards.
Commercial valentines were introduced in the
1800's and now the date is very commercialised.
The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post
office business around February 14. The spirit of
good continues as valentines are sent out with
sentimental verses and children exchange
valentine cards at school.
Romantic festival of St Valentine's Day
is celebrated with enthusiasm and
fond regard in several countries
around the world. Most commonly
observed Valentine's Day tradition and
custom is expressing one's love with an
exchange of cards, flowers and gifts.
Pampering one's beloved and making
a romantic proposal to one's
sweetheart is the other popular
tradition of the festival that celebrates
love.
There are several other Valentine's Day customs and
traditions associated with festival but these vary in
different countries because of the social and cultural
differences. What remains the same everywhere though is
celebration of love by lovers. Here we will discuss some of
the most commonly observed way of celebrating St
Valentine' Day.