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When you think of Valentine’s Day, what comes to mind? February 14th, hearts, roses, chocolate, cards, stuffed animals? Spending time with the one you love?
This holiday is named for Saint Valentine, a Roman priest martyred reportedly around February 14 in the 3rd century. It was said he was executed because he married young couples, even though marriage was banned as it “ruined good soldiers.” Before his execution he was imprisoned and fell in love with the jailor’s daughter. He would send her notes signed “from your Valentine” – which is why today’s cards contain this phrase. There was also already a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia held in mid-February and the early Christian churches used Saint Valentine‘s day to replace this ritual starting in 495. [Read more…]