Valentines Day is has and remains to be a very popular day of the year in which lovers express their affection to one another through gifts and related sentimental treats. Otherwise referred to as St. Valentines Day, this occasion was once part of the roman Calender as one of the worldwide Catholic feasts.
The olden roman festival Lupercalia is regarded as the source of the present day Valentines Day. On this day dedicated to the god named Lupercus, a man picked a name of a woman from a lottery and kept her for the whole year. In the time of Pope Gelasius I, the custom was changed and both women and men were now included in the lottery, the pick being the name of a saint to be emulated for the entire year. So, out went the name Lupercus and so St. Valentines Day was born. |
Valentines Day |
|
Valentines Day Christian Tradition |
|
Valentines Day |
When the controversy surrounding the origin of this day grew, the Roman Catholic Church removed it from the official Calender in 1969. Even with these changes, the not so impressed Roman men continued to shower their women with messages and gifts as a reflection of love.
Another version of the origin of Valentines Day says that Bishop Valentine fell out of favour with Claudius II for conducting marriages for soldiers. Since the emperor required more men for the military, he thought that marrying was a hindrance. The bishop was imprisoned and finally executed on February 14th 270 AD for disregarding the emperor. During his jail time, he is said to have healed a girl, fell in love with her and when he sent her a letter just before his execution, Valentines Day was born.
|
Valentine's Day |
|
Valentine's Day Heart |
|
Valentine's Day Flower |
|
Valentine's Day Gifts |