Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to
Valentine's Day is an annual [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday"]
holiday[/ame] held on February 14 celebrating [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love"]
love[/ame] and [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affection"]
affection[/ame] between [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intimate_relationship"]
intimate companions[/ame]
.The holiday is named after one or more early Christian [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyr"]
martyrs[/ame] named [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine"]
Valentine[/ame] and was established by Pope Gelasius in 496 AD. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by
presenting flowers, offering [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confectionery"]
confectionery[/ame], and sending [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeting_card"]
greeting cards[/ame] (known as "
valentines"). The holiday first became associated with
romantic love in the circle of [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Chaucer"]
Geoffrey Chaucer[/ame] in the [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Middle_Ages"]
High Middle Ages[/ame], when the tradition of [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtly_love"]
courtly love[/ame] flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the
heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid"]
Cupid[/ame]. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeting_card"]
greeting cards[/ame].
The History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death
bht na Pearl watakuja wakueleze ,,
Ni habari za mtakatifu valentine ngoja waje waseme vizri
![URL]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspacegraphicsandanimations.com%2Fimages%2Fflower1-6-7.gif%5BURL%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspacegraphicsandanimations.com%2Fmyspace-animations-roses-flowers-rose-graphic-animations.htm%22%5D%5B%2FURL%5D&hash=a2298c650ab09d9ca56c76debe47a2ff)
