Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.There are many stories and traditions related to this day and why it is celebrated.
According to some traditions and historians Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairs would fall in love and might marry.
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One other story which many historians support and which is most popular is the story of Saint Valentine, a Christian Priest. St Valentine lived in Rome during the third century. At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious.He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. As a priest St. Valentine considered it his duty to marry young couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, he and Saint Marius aided the Christian soldiers and secretly married couples, and for this kind- deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.
When Claudius II met Valentine in prison, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the Saint Valentine. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine.
Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius'(Jailer) daughter. According to some legends, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate or personal love) but on agape (Love for Christianity): he was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
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Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine's Day.
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| Statue of Saint Valentine |
1 comment:
the right thing is that k sare din mohabbt k hen koi ek din khas mohabbt ka bnana zruri ni,,
wese agr koi husband apni wife ko jo sara saal buzy hota he or wo din apni wife k liye koi gift le aye to unka rishta or strong hi hoga or is me koi cheapness bhi nhi , haan lekin valentine days aj walgaration phela rha he to hm q koi achi cheez nhi apnate hmesha buri adaton ko hi apna te he, or agr isse manane se shirk hota he to isse kisse bhi muslim ko nhi manana chahiye...
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