Quote:
Originally Posted by Elaina
Saint Valentine, according to romantic legend, was a kind-hearted Roman priest who married young couples against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II, and was beheaded for his deeds on the 14th of February. In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." Two of these men lived in the third century A.D., one being the bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the other a priest of Rome. (Some speculate that these two figures were actually the same man.) Both seem to have been persecuted for their beliefs; the Roman priest reportedly was beaten and then beheaded on the orders of Emperor Claudius II, on or about the year 270. Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance: the date of his death may have become mingled with the feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love, or with the ancient belief that birds first mate in the middle of February. In modern times Valentine's Day is a day of special romantic sentiment and gift-giving among lovers.
Excerpt from Who2
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The story was cool, I didn't know that information, now I know as the st valentine day started with our ancients, now I know that someone had to die for gives life to this popular tradition in the old times. I don't know, but the old people had an crazy ideas before, the people were of closed mind and they never will understand the needed to love to our fellow.
Now the people have an open mind in the actuality. and it's great for me.
February 15, 2011, 05:39 PM
Debatable. I suppose the BBC journalist might have meant specifically in a love letter. Either that or he/she had never heard of Chaucer. My guess is the latter.
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