People wait for Valentine's Day, celebrated on the 14th of February the world over! This is the day to express feelings of friendship and love, and it is done through flowers, candy and cards. The receiver of the gifts understands how high in esteem he/she is! It is not only adults that participate, even schoolchildren and teenagers take this day seriously! Of course, the cards that they exchange are more romantic in nature--decorated with hearts and cupid symbols! It would be nice to know how all this started, for it has obviously been named after a person, St. Valentine. In the modern world, it is connected with "romance".
Valentine was a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century. Claudius II was the reigning Emperor of Rome at the time, and was having trouble recruiting men into his army, as they were often dispatched to far off lands, and were so separated from their wives and families. Men were reluctant, unwilling to endure this separation from their loved ones.
Extremely upset by what was happening, the Emperor reached the conclusion that young men would be more willing to join his army than the older ones. After all, what did they have to lose since they were unmarried? But to make doubly sure, he passed a law forbidding young men from marrying! Having no choice and finding a willing supporter in Valentine, some young men requested him to perform their marriages in secret. Sadly, he was discovered by Claudius, and arrested. He was kept in prison, to be sentenced to death.
One of the prison guards felt sympathy for this priest. To help him while away his time, he permitted his young daughter to pay visits to Valentine. The two became close friends. Before he was taken to the gallows, Valentine gave his friend a letter with the signature, "From your Valentine". And that has become the launch pad for the modern Valentine's Day!
Valentine died in 270 A.D. and was declared a Saint by the Vatican. Pope Gelasius who was in charge in the year 496 A.D., stated that February 14th would henceforth be considered as St. Valentine's Day. People in love could give free rein to feelings of love on this day! Thus, the material world became inferior to the powerful spiritual world!
Over time, at least by the Middle Ages, this day became very famous and Europe celebrated it with gusto! In 1415, when the Duke of Orleans (Charles) was housed in the Tower of London as a punishment, he dispatched a card to his wife on February 14th. This practice continues on every Valentine's Day all over the world.
All over Europe, enthusiastic lovers devised various gifts and practices to express their devotion to their lovers on Valentines Day. In Wales, wooden spoons were carved with hearts and keys to show how the recipient could unlock their heart. All over Europe, names were drawn from bowls and then pinned to their sleeves to declare their love to their chosen Valentine. Men offered gifts of clothing to their loved ones. When the woman accepted, they were then betrothed.
Those olden time customs have disappeared today. Other practices have taken their place. But this is the world's favorite unofficial holiday! Be it a gift of flowers, candy or cards--candlelight dinners or other celebrations, the message of love is the same. And we have St. Valentine to thank for this custom! - 15359
Valentine was a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century. Claudius II was the reigning Emperor of Rome at the time, and was having trouble recruiting men into his army, as they were often dispatched to far off lands, and were so separated from their wives and families. Men were reluctant, unwilling to endure this separation from their loved ones.
Extremely upset by what was happening, the Emperor reached the conclusion that young men would be more willing to join his army than the older ones. After all, what did they have to lose since they were unmarried? But to make doubly sure, he passed a law forbidding young men from marrying! Having no choice and finding a willing supporter in Valentine, some young men requested him to perform their marriages in secret. Sadly, he was discovered by Claudius, and arrested. He was kept in prison, to be sentenced to death.
One of the prison guards felt sympathy for this priest. To help him while away his time, he permitted his young daughter to pay visits to Valentine. The two became close friends. Before he was taken to the gallows, Valentine gave his friend a letter with the signature, "From your Valentine". And that has become the launch pad for the modern Valentine's Day!
Valentine died in 270 A.D. and was declared a Saint by the Vatican. Pope Gelasius who was in charge in the year 496 A.D., stated that February 14th would henceforth be considered as St. Valentine's Day. People in love could give free rein to feelings of love on this day! Thus, the material world became inferior to the powerful spiritual world!
Over time, at least by the Middle Ages, this day became very famous and Europe celebrated it with gusto! In 1415, when the Duke of Orleans (Charles) was housed in the Tower of London as a punishment, he dispatched a card to his wife on February 14th. This practice continues on every Valentine's Day all over the world.
All over Europe, enthusiastic lovers devised various gifts and practices to express their devotion to their lovers on Valentines Day. In Wales, wooden spoons were carved with hearts and keys to show how the recipient could unlock their heart. All over Europe, names were drawn from bowls and then pinned to their sleeves to declare their love to their chosen Valentine. Men offered gifts of clothing to their loved ones. When the woman accepted, they were then betrothed.
Those olden time customs have disappeared today. Other practices have taken their place. But this is the world's favorite unofficial holiday! Be it a gift of flowers, candy or cards--candlelight dinners or other celebrations, the message of love is the same. And we have St. Valentine to thank for this custom! - 15359
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Dane Masters is an accomplished niche website developer and author. for more about business holiday gift ideas, please visit easy holiday gift ideas for current articles and discussions.
