Many still remember that in the Soviet Union, the day dedicated to St. Valentine was not the same as sex. This holiday appeared in our area with the fall of the country of the Soviets, and along with it the Iron Curtain. Then many European traditions came to us, about which our fathers and grandfathers did not even hear anything. Colorful "valentines" were one of many such Western European innovations. What kind of holiday is this, who is this Valentine, and what is the story of Valentine's Day?
Of course, this holiday is dedicated to the saint, but at the same time it is a purely secular, that is, secular holiday. Valentine's Day, like New Year, is celebrated in many countries of the world far from Christianity, and it is very loved even by atheists. In some countries, the celebration of this day is very encouraged by the state (primarily in the USA and Great Britain), and in others it is persecuted (Iran, Saudi Arabia). The Catholic Church included St. Valentine in her clergy and celebrates his day on February 14, the Orthodox Church, like Islam, believes that you need to love your neighbors always, and not on some strictly defined day. Such disagreements in the interpretation of the holiday arose due to various legends, from which the story of Valentine's Day originates.
Historical sources give us extremely scarce information about this man who was later proclaimed a saint. It is only known that Valentine was born in the second half of the 3rd century. and was a priest in the city of Terni during the time of Claudius II, who was then the Roman emperor. Then the story trails off and legends begin. According to one of them, the story of Valentine 's Day began when the emperor considered that a married legionnaire was not as fearless in battle as a bachelor, because he was thinking about his wife and children. By his imperial decree, he forbade his soldiers to marry, but Priest Valentine continued to marry the legionnaires with their loved ones. Then the angry emperor ordered the execution of the priest, and the legendary day of this execution, which seemed to occur on February 14, 270, became a memory day for the patron saint of lovers.
Another story of Valentine's Day tells that, imprisoned on the orders of the emperor, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter. On the eve of his execution, he wrote her a message in which he confessed his love and signed briefly: "Your Valentine." Therefore, it is now customary to send “Valentines” to loved ones - short letters with recognition in their tender feelings. By the way, the oldest "valentine" is considered to be a tzedulka written by the Duke of Orleans Charles from the Tower of London prison to his wife in 1415. Today, this letter is on display as an exhibit at the British Museum.
Nevertheless, the story of Valentine's Day has purely pagan roots, which is why this holiday is not particularly revered by some religions. In Greek and Roman religions, February 14th was a celebration of the beginning of spring. On this day in Greece it was customary to honor Pan, the god of fertility, and in Rome Lupercalia was held, which, in addition to the fertility god, praised Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of the Eternal City. Lupercalia was celebrated in this way: all the young and unmarried women of the city wrote their names on the tablets and put the tablets in a large amphora. The bachelors of Rome pulled tablets from an amphora and in such a simple way the draws became partners for women during the Lupercalia celebrations. Such couples sometimes fell in love with each other and got married. Pope Gelasius recognized Valentine as a saint at the end of the 5th century, but Lupercalia was banned by the Church.
But whatever the story of Valentine's Day, this holiday has become the most popular in Western Europe after Christmas, as it allows you to express your love feelings in the sweetest and most relaxed way. On this day, it is necessary that those who love each other exchange flowers (it must certainly be red roses - emblems of passion), as well as give chocolates in boxes in the form of hearts (so that love is sweet) and colorful valentine cards, also in the shape of hearts. Previously, it was customary to write poetic declarations of love by hand, but now postcards with already printed text are sold. Recently, virtual gifts for Valentine's Day via the Internet and SMS Valentines have gained special popularity.