Valentine’s day

in Moldova
 The history of Valentine’s day
The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been

derived from ancient traditions. The rise of Christianity in Europe saw

many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early

Christian martyrs. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a

Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14.

He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint

Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St.

Valentine whom the modern Valentine's Day honors.

 The story of St. Valentine
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, 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. 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.
How the
Valentine’s day
is celebrated in
Moldova?
Saint Valentine is celebrated on
February 14, as “the patron of
love”. In Moldova, this holiday is
honoured, namely by young men
offering presents and surprises to
their beloved. They usually
purchase plush toys and hearts.
Love is sweet when it’s new, love is sweeter when it’s
true, but sweetest, when the one loving is you!