Origins of Valentine's Day

In modern times, Valentine's day is dominated by pink hearts and arrows by Cupid. Though the origins of the celebration is actually very different than the symbols of love. Valentine was actually a Catholic monk who became a martyr. Valentine was sentenced to death by the emperor Claudius II for defying the law forbidding the Roman youth in a relationship of love and get married because they are sent into battle.

At that time, the glory of the Roman empire was at the center of the threat of collapse due to deterioration of its officials and civil uprising. In the border region that is still wild, the threats came from Gaul, the Huns, Slavs, Mongolia and Turkey. They threaten the region of Northern Europe and Asia. It turned out that the empire is so vast and extends through this conquest has claimed many victims, both from the people of the colony and the Romans themselves. Later they were no longer able to control and manage this vast region.

To maintain the empire, Claudius II incessant recruiting supposed Roman men still able to fight as soldiers who are ready to be dispatched to the battlefield. The emperor saw that the army has a bond of love and marriage is not a good soldier. Inner bond of love and family and those loved ones will only weaken their fighting power. Therefore, he forbade the Roman men in love relationship, engaged or married.
Valentine, the young monk who saw their suffering trauma afflicted to love this. They secretly gathered and gained spiritual splash of Valentine. The monks even gave them the sacrament of marriage. This action eventually wafted by the Emperor. Valentine was imprisoned. Because he opposed the rule of the emperor and refused to recognize the Roman gods, he was sentenced to death.

In prison, he was friendly with a prison officer named Asterius. This prison guard has a daughter who suffers blindness from birth. His name is Julia. Valentine tried to cure his blindness. While treating, Valentine teaches history and religion. He describes the world of the universe so that she can feel the meaning and the wisdom through the lesson.

Julia asked,
"Does God really hear our prayers?"
"Yes my son. He hears every prayer. "
"Do you know what I pray every morning? I pray that I can see. I want to see the world as you've taught me. "
"God does what is best for us, if we believe in him," continued Valentine.
"Oh, of course. I really trust him ", said Julia firmly. Then they knelt together and prayed.

A few weeks later, Julia still has not healed. Until it was time for Valentine's death. Valentine did not get to say goodbye to Julia, but he wrote the speech with a message to the closer to God. Do not forget to add the words, "With love from your Valentine" (which eventually became a worldwide expression). He died February 14 269. Valentine was buried in the Church of Rome Praksedes.
The next day, she received this letter. When he opened the letter, he could see the letters and colors for the first time seen. Julia cured of his blindness.

In the year 496, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as the anniversary of St. Petersburg. Valentine. Accidental death date coincides with the celebration of Valentine Lupercalia, a celebration to honor the Roman god of fertility Februata Juno. In this celebration, the Romans did the sexual sweepstakes! How, they put the name into one container, then take at random the name of the opposite sex. It gained the name of a spouse for one year. Then in the next celebration they cast lots again.

Apparently the Pope did not like the way this celebration. For this reason, the church slightly modify this celebration. They include the names of saints in the box. During the year, everyone will emulate the saint was written on the lottery is taken. To make the show a bit funny, the church also enter the name of Simeon Stylites. The person who took the name of the alias is considered unlucky not lucky, because Simeon spent his life on the pillar, did not move even once.

Valentine's name and then enshrined in this annual festival. In this festival, lovers or husband and wife to express feelings of love and the Roman love the message and a letter bearing the hand. In mainland Europe, this tradition developed by writing the words of love and in the form of cards decorated with hearts and the god Cupid to anyone who loves. Or give little attention to the flowers, chocolates and candies.

In modern times, the habit of writing letters by hand bet is not practical. Moreover, not everyone can weave a romantic words. Then came the Valentine cards that are considered more practical. The first modern Valentine card sent by a nobleman Charles Orleans to his wife, in 1415. When he was jailed in the Tower of London. This card is still in galery in the British Museum. In America, Esther Howland was the first to send a valentine card. Valentine cards were first produced commercially in the 1800s.

Unfortunately, from day to day, Valentine celebrate have lost the true meaning. Spirit of love and sacrifice St. Valentine had been defeated by lust ensure provision of this celebration. 

Source : Taken from any sources