As kids, we used to write little notes like that: "2good2B4gotten" on given valentines or in school yearbooks. My children really love this "holiday." By the time we finished making valentines for little friends, bus drivers, etc., we had fashioned over 80 little packets of trinkets, candies, notes. It was great fun. Here are 3 "legends" associated with this day. Now a Hallmark holiday, it did not start out in mercenary fashion.
The 3 Legends of St. Valentine
Legend #1
The priest Valentine was arrested and put into prison. He was incarcerated because he did not worship the Roman gods. After being in prison for many years, he was presented to Claudius II (known as Claudius the Cruel). Valentine stood by his convictions and still refused to worship any other but his God. Claudius II was outraged. The ruler sealed Valentine's fate and condemned him to die.
In the meantime, Valentine had become friends with one of the prison guard’s daughters who was blind. Valentine sent her a note before he was martyred. When the girl opened the note, her sight was restored. She could read the signature of the person who had signed the note. The note was signed "from your Valentine."
Legend #2
Claudius II was interested in building a great army. He recognized that married men would not make effective soldiers because they would be concerned about their wives and families. To stem this problem, Claudius II forbade young couples to marry. Valentine had great empathy for the young couples who wanted to marry. He chose to marry couples in secret. However, Valentine's service was discovered and he was put to death for breaking the law.
Legend #3
Valentine loved flowers and tended a lovely flower garden where children could enjoy their beauty and fragrance. When Valentine was in prison, the children would bring him flowers from his garden. Accompanying the bouquets were notes saying how they loved and missed him.
Saint Valentine was beheaded on February 14, 271. The execution took place on Rome’s Palatine Hill. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 the feast day of Saint Valentine.
from: ROMANCE EVER AFTER
5 comments:
Thanks Tink...you always seem to have such interesting blogs. Just goes to show how everything gets twisted over the course of time .
I like the third legend best. Don't know why. Sad, though.
I'm glad you and the kids enjoyed making all those cards and trinkets. I'm so lazy lately!
as you watched in my video on my blog, not feeling the valentine thing. LMP rocks it pretty good though.
Hi Tink, I have switched my blog to invite, but I did not find an e-mail for you, I would like you to still come by, so..bloggrace@hotmail.com is mine.
Aw gee, thanks Rob! Isn't it weird how that happens? It's like the game "telephone." One person whispers something into the next person's ear. And so it goes on and around a group of people at a table. Nearly *always* - by the time the last person then says it out loud, the original saying is distorted. Weird stuff. :o)
I tell you Lucy The kiddies always keep me fresh and on my toes! They enjoy these things *so* much that it's completely infectious.
Aw Grace Valentine's Day holds very little significance for me too. The kids make it important for me ;o) I'll be there at your blog!
xo
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