Valentine's Day

February 14, in many countries around the world celebrated Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day . It is believed that Valentine's Day has been around for more than 16 centuries, but the festival of love known to still earlier times - from the time of ancient pagan cultures. For example, in mid-February the Romans celebrated the festival of eroticism, called Lupercalia, in honor of the goddess of love Juno Februata. At the festival, there are specific "culprit" - Christian priest Valentine. This story dates back to around 269 a year, while the rules of the Roman Empire Emperor Claudius II. Belligerent Roman army experienced an acute shortage of soldiers for military campaigns and military commander was convinced that the main enemy of his "Napoleonic" plans - marriage, for married legionnaire of the glory of the empire thinks much less than that, as a family to feed. And, in order to save his soldiers fighting spirit, the emperor issued a decree banning the legionaries to marry.

But fall in love with some of the soldiers do not become less. And their happiness was a man who, not fearing the wrath of the emperor, began to secretly marry foreign players with their loved ones. Them was a priest named Valentine of Terni Roman city (Valentine of Terni). Apparently, he was a true romantic, as his favorite entertainment was to reconcile quarreling, helping to write love letters and give the request of Legionnaires color of an object of their passion. It's clear as soon as the emperor learned of this, he decided to "criminal activity" to stop. Valentine was sentenced to death. The tragedy of the situation was still in the fact that he and Valentine was in love with the jailer's daughter. The day before his execution, the priest wrote a farewell letter to the girl, where he spoke about his love and signed it "Your Valentine." Read it was already after he was executed. Subsequently, as a Christian martyr who suffered for their faith, Valentine was canonized by the Catholic Church. And in 496 the Pope Gelasius (Pope Gelasius I) announced on February 14 Valentine's Day. Since 1969, The reform of worship Saint Valentine was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church (along with other Roman saints information about the life of which are contradictory and unreliable). However, until 1969, and the church does not endorse or support the tradition of celebrating this day.

So whether it was anyway, but, apparently, it was the custom to write out on Valentine's Day love notes - "Valentine". And in this festival like to arrange a wedding and get married. It is believed that this will be the key to eternal love. In Western Europe, Valentine's Day has become a widely celebrated since the 13th century, in the United States - since 1777. The tradition to give gifts on this day grew stronger with each passing year, and for some has become quite a successful business. For example, at the beginning of the last century, Americans have been taken to send their brides marzipan, which were quite expensive. In Japan, the tradition of giving on this day there was sweet with the filing of a large company for the production of chocolate. There began to celebrate Valentine's Day in 30 years, and still remains the most popular chocolate gift. By the way, there's Valentine's Day is slightly reminiscent of "March 8 for men", as Japanese men get, perhaps, even more gifts than women: men's accessories such as razors, lotion, wallet and so on.

In a passionate French as Valentine's Day decided to give jewelry, and in romantic Denmark people send each other dried white flowers. In Britain, unmarried girls stand on February 14 before sunrise, are near the window and look at passing men. According to legend, the first man, whom they see, and there betrothed. But there is in the world, some countries are particularly distinguished themselves in the celebration of Valentine's Day. The first is Saudi Arabia , which is the only country in the world where this holiday ... officially banned, and, under penalty of heavy fines. And in Russia was a lovers' holiday, so only he notes not in the winter, and in the early summer. He was associated with the legendary love story of Peter and Fevronia and dedicated Kupala-Slavic pagan god Perun son.