"I will greet this day with love in my heart. For this is the greatest secret of all success in all ventures. Only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men and until I master this art I will remain love, my greatest weapon."
Was there really a Saint Valentine?
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), at least three different Saints Valentine, all of them martyrs and all quite obscure, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of February 14: a priest in Rome who suffered martyrdom in the second half of the 3rd century and was buried on the Via Flaminia; a bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) also suffered martyrdom in the second half of the 3rd century and was also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than the priest; a martyr in North Africa, about whom little else is known.
What about Valentinius?
The influential Gnostic teacher Valentinius was a candidate for Bishop of Rome in 143. In his teachings, the marriage bed assumed a central place in his version of Christian love, an emphasis sharply in contrast with the asceticism of mainstream Christianity. Stephan A. Hoeller assesses Valentinius on the subject : "In addition to baptism, anointing, eucharist, the initiation of priests and the rites of the dying, the Valentinian Gnosis mentions prominently two great and mysterious sacraments called "redemption" (apolytrosis) and "bridal chamber" respectively"
Did the Romans celebrate February 14th?
Not exactly -- In Ancient Rome, the day of February 15 was Lupercalia, the festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility, who was represented as half-naked and dressed in goat skins. As part of the purification ritual, the priests of Lupercus would sacrifice goats to the god, and after drinking wine, they would run through the streets of Rome holding pieces of the goat skin above their heads, touching anyone they met. Young women especially would come forth voluntarily for the occasion, in the belief that being so touched would render them fruitful and bring easy childbirth.
When did Valentine's Day begin to be celebrated?
The first recorded association of St. Valentine's Day with romantic love was in the 14th century in England and France, where February 14 was traditionally the day on which birds paired off to mate. This belief is mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's Parlement of Foules (1381). It was common during that era for lovers to exchange notes on this day and to call each other their "Valentines"
Who sent the first valentine?
Historians claim that the first valentine was a poem sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine's cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialized. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14.
When did the day make its way to the U.S?
Valentine's Day was probably imported into North America in the 19th century with settlers from Britain. In the United States, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828 1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts. Her father operated a large book and stationery store, and she took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received.
NOT SO SERIOUS ABOUT LOVE....
"There is no love sincerer than the love of food."
"Love is a beautiful thing. It's a shame people have to get married and spoil it."
"It is better to love and lost, than never have lost at all."
"Is there anything wrong with falling in love? None, only you're still single."
"If you love me, as I love...then shame on us!"
" Courtship is a ridiculous game, by winning her you lose."
"Falling in love is the deadliest stage of our life , because when you fall in love , you give your heart away."
TRIVIA BITS:
The longest single kiss on record was between two Brazilians who caused a traffic jam in 1964 when, during a quick embrace in their car, their dental braces became intertwined.
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