February 14
VALENTINE’S DAY
Sometime during the third century, the conservative right thought there should be something else to do on this date than to observe the ancient pagan holiday of Lupercalia. For those who don’t remember -- or can’t remember -- Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival. Instead of revelry and sacrificing goats and dogs, it was determined that two Christian martyrs should be celebrated. Both were named St. Valentine. One of the saints was a priest and doctor who was beaten and beheaded while on the Flaminian Way, Rome, Italy in the year 269. A year later, the Bishop of Terni met the same fate in the same place.
Something got lost in the translation and the two celebrations became one. St. Valentine’s Day, the most widely celebrated unofficial holiday, is a modern-day fertility rite. (There’s even an old legend that says birds choose their mates on this day.)
This is the day that lovers of all ages give tokens of affection to each other; with kisses accompanied by flowers, candy or romantic, candlelit dinners. Thoughts of love are traded between lovers; often expressed in greeting card form or with sunset, moonlight, a glass of wine and thou!
Hearts and flowers to you on this Valentine’s Day!
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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