Valentine’s Day 2023: February 14 may appear as just another random winter day to the uninitiated, but that’s rarely the case for couples and lovebirds. February 14 has become synonymous with the day of love and is celebrated annually around the world as Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentine’s Day. The last and most important day of Love Week Valentine’s Day marks the sacrifice and message of Saint Valentine to spread and celebrate love in society. This day is a great opportunity to express love and gratitude to your partner.
Happy Valentine’s Day😍😍😍Let there be love and nothing but love❤️
— Shekhar Suman (@shekharsuman7)
February 14, 2023
People give each other gifts, letters, flowers and other means of expressing affection to express their love. There is widespread shopping, partying and romance everywhere. Overall, February 14, also known as Valentine’s Day, is a joyous occasion, at least for those in love.
But do you know why Valentine’s Day is celebrated and why it falls on February 14 instead of another day? The history of Valentine’s Day is pretty dark, mind you. There’s nothing like the joyous celebration we enjoy on February 14. Let’s learn the story behind Valentine’s Day.
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Who is Saint Valentine?
Image source: History.com
Valentine’s Day got its name from the legend of Saint Valentine, who lived in ancient Rome. However, there are several different saints named Valentine recognized by the Catholic Church, and all were martyred for committing acts considered treasonous or illegal or for refusing to renounce Christianity. Catholicism.
However, there are two Valentines that are perhaps the biggest inspiration behind February 14 being considered Valentine’s Day and both are said to have been executed by Emperor Claudius II on February 14 in third-century Rome.
The first Valentine was a priest under Claudius II when the Emperor decreed that single men were better soldiers than married ones and forbade all young men from marrying. Valentine went on to marry many people, allowing them to escape military service and live a prosperous life. When the Emperor heard about it, he ordered Valentine’s execution. However, this account is disputed by historians.
Another legend says that Saint Valentine aided persecuted Christians in Rome and was thrown into prison for doing so. There, Saint Valentine restored the sight of the jailer’s blind daughter and converted their entire family to Christianity. He also wrote the girl’s first Valentine’s letter, signing it “from your Valentine” and thus starting the tradition of Valentine’s messages.
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Image source: CBN
The second person attributed to Saint Valentine was the bishop of Terni, who was also martyred by Emperor Claudius II. Valentine was famous for performing miracles, healing people, and evangelizing. When attempting to convert the Emperor to Christianity, he was given the choice of renouncing his faith or dying. Valentine refused to convert and was beheaded.
The true identity of Saint Valentine is disputed by historians. Many people believe that all the legends refer to the same person, but the different stories about Saint Valentine continue to create confusion. The only verifiable fact is that there was a man named Saint Valentine, a heroic, gentle and kind soul who was executed in 270 AD.
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Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14?
Image source: History.com
Have you ever wondered what’s special about February 14? Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated only on February 14 and not on any other day of the year? Again, there are many reasons behind choosing February 14 to mark Valentine’s Day.
Some say that this day marks the death or burial of Saint Valentine, while others claim that the festival has its origins in the Christianization of the pagan Roman holiday Lupercalia.
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Christianity spread throughout Europe from the first century onwards, and the Roman Empire was at the forefront. Rome’s rituals and customs were considered pagan, and by the 4th century, Christianity had become the official religion of Rome. However, Lupercalia, a pagan festival celebrating fertility, has endured over the years and takes place every year on February 15. Some historians believe that Valentine’s Day originated in Lupercalia and is only the namesake of a martyred Christian saint.
When was February 14 declared Valentine’s Day?
According to renowned historian Noel Lenski, the Lupercalia tradition continued to flourish even with the rise of Christianity. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I added Valentine’s Day to the calendar of saints, and a feast day was declared in his honor to be observed annually on February 14.
However, it was centuries later that Valentine’s Day became a holiday of love and became known to every couple in love. The first Valentine’s Day card dates back to 1415. It was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Image source: History.com
With the advent of books and increasing literacy rates, the habit of writing letters became popular among the people. During the war, people mainly communicated with relatives through letters. Soon, the tradition became popular, and by the 1900s, cards were being mass-produced for Valentine’s Day. Poets and writers such as Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer popularized this day as a romantic celebration in the Middle Ages.
How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
The most popular way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to exchange gifts and write heartfelt letters to lovers. You can write anything as long as it’s serious and emotional. In the US, Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas as the biggest card-sending holiday. Other Valentine’s Day customs include going out, binge-watching romantic movies, treating your partner to lavish dinners or expensive gifts, etc.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn