Why We Celebrate Valentine's Day

Many lovers or Couples who eagerly wait for this day and even celebrate it in a big way but they are not aware Why We Celebrate Valentine's Day. This day has own historical important. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains Combination of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentines, all of whom were martyred. When Ruler Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he banned marriage for young men for his crop of potential soldiers. St. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the judgment, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secrete way. When Valentine's actions were exposed, Claudius II ordered that he be put to death.

Second Story tells, St. Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians break away from harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. According to another Story St. Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting card himself. While in prison, while in prison, it is thought that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he Wrote 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use 14 February. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is not so clear, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a heroic, sympathetic, and, most importantly a romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England & France.

According to another story In 496 A.D., February 14, was declared in the name of St. Valentine by Pope Galerius. It remained a Church holiday until 1969, when Pope Paul VI took it from the calendar. On February 13 and 14, the ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage, so honoring her was thought to be a fertility rite. At the Valentine's Day held in next day, the Women would write love letters and stick them in a large urn. The men would pick a letter from the urn and for the next year, gloom the woman who wrote the special letter. This custom last until the 1700's when people decided their beloveds should be chosen by sight, not luck.

And People continue to exchange their love letters, Gifts, flowers on February 14 of every year and for this reason this day was dedicated to the priest who died trying to bring lovers together, and to all the lovers all over the world. Thus, Valentine became a Patron Saint and a spiritual overseer of this loving annual festival of love and togethe
ess, and February became the month of ‘Romance'.