Happy Anti-Valentine's Day!
I reread last years Anti-Valentine's Day, post and thought I would continue my annual tradition. I also remembered talking to my dad last year about my hatred for this holiday and he sent me this e-mail explaining what Valentine's Day is really about. If you have the time please read said email below about the true meaning of Valentine's Day and just remember what I've been saying for years:
"It's not what you buy or what you do; it's why you do it. Don't buy your boyfriend/girlfriend a card or flowers because it's February 14th, do something that only they can appreciate to show them how much you appreciate them...and do it everyday."
Also, don't do things just for your significant others, if you have one. Remember your friends and wish them a happy Valentine's Day too. Let them know that they don't need a significant other to feel appreciated and loved. I know that helped me a lot last year. Now enjoy Saint Valentine's story:
According to church tradition, Valentine was the name of a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor Claudius II (Claudius the Cruel - great nickname) was involved in many unpopular campaigns. He was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues, and believed Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families so he issued an edict forbidding marriage.
Valentine was a young bishop who saw the trauma of young lovers and secretly joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. How ironic that the future patron saint of lovers was dragged before the Prefect of Rome,who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The emperor, however, was impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction and attempted to convert him to the Roman gods, a move that would spare him from certain execution. Valentine refused.
While in prison awaiting his fate, he befriended his jailor, Asterius, who had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter and legend has it that through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter. Just before his execution on February 14, 269 A.D., he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor and friend. He signed a farewell message to his daughter"From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.Valentine thus became a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival.
In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. At that time it was the custom in Rome to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. Those women who the men wished to court were given handwritten greetings of affection. The greeting cards acquired St. Valentine's name. The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world.
"It's not what you buy or what you do; it's why you do it. Don't buy your boyfriend/girlfriend a card or flowers because it's February 14th, do something that only they can appreciate to show them how much you appreciate them...and do it everyday."
Also, don't do things just for your significant others, if you have one. Remember your friends and wish them a happy Valentine's Day too. Let them know that they don't need a significant other to feel appreciated and loved. I know that helped me a lot last year. Now enjoy Saint Valentine's story:
According to church tradition, Valentine was the name of a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor Claudius II (Claudius the Cruel - great nickname) was involved in many unpopular campaigns. He was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues, and believed Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families so he issued an edict forbidding marriage.
Valentine was a young bishop who saw the trauma of young lovers and secretly joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. How ironic that the future patron saint of lovers was dragged before the Prefect of Rome,who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The emperor, however, was impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction and attempted to convert him to the Roman gods, a move that would spare him from certain execution. Valentine refused.
While in prison awaiting his fate, he befriended his jailor, Asterius, who had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter and legend has it that through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter. Just before his execution on February 14, 269 A.D., he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor and friend. He signed a farewell message to his daughter"From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.Valentine thus became a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival.
In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. At that time it was the custom in Rome to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. Those women who the men wished to court were given handwritten greetings of affection. The greeting cards acquired St. Valentine's name. The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world.
posted by L-Kapitan | 3:59 PM
|
0 comments
