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Post by shep on Feb 1, 2007 9:09:54 GMT -5
what is valentines all about? i know it has something to do with st valentine please enlighten me! ali x
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Post by scullow on Feb 1, 2007 11:03:41 GMT -5
what is valentines all about? i know it has something to do with st valentine please enlighten me! ali x As far as I am concerned it must have been invented by the card, flower and chocolate companies to make us spend money, but I am sure Maria will enlighten us all later. ;D
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gerry
Private Eye
Posts: 453
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Post by gerry on Feb 1, 2007 11:16:43 GMT -5
The legend I heard was valentine was a christian "priest" that would marry christians in secret when it was forbidden by the romans.
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Post by Girl Power on Feb 1, 2007 13:29:50 GMT -5
As far as I am concerned it must have been invented by the card, flower and chocolate companies to make us spend money, but I am sure Maria will enlighten us all later. ;D Me? Why me? What do I know? No, you're right, Paul. It's all about Hallmark (American card company). Also, a big night to pressure people to propose and/or have sex. Thirdly, big time for suicides. It's a myth that suicides are highest during the Christmas season. However, I had dinner with some therapists last night and one was saying that Valentines is a big suicide time. I'm full of rainbows and sunshine, eh? I think Gerry's history is right. That's pretty much what I had herd. Wikipedia says their are two St. Valentines, maybe even three, all matyred on February 14th, but that seems very hard to believe. It also suggests that they might be the same person, which seems more likely.
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Post by CK-- on Feb 1, 2007 15:43:21 GMT -5
According to the History Channel you are all right... Here is the History of valentines day according to the History Channel... The History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed 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 signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Special thanks to American Greetings.
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Post by Girl Power on Feb 1, 2007 16:48:54 GMT -5
Special thanks to American Greetings. [/b] [/quote] Ah, just as Scullow suspected! Thanks for the info, Scotty. Sounds like knowledge of Valentine's true deeds is murky, but idealized. Probably a vast gift industry conspiracy!
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Post by CK-- on Feb 1, 2007 19:07:09 GMT -5
Special thanks to American Greetings. [/b] [/quote] Ah, just as Scullow suspected! Thanks for the info, Scotty. Sounds like knowledge of Valentine's true deeds is murky, but idealized. Probably a vast gift industry conspiracy![/quote] My Thoughts Exactly
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Post by scullow on Feb 2, 2007 3:40:46 GMT -5
As far as I am concerned it must have been invented by the card, flower and chocolate companies to make us spend money, but I am sure Maria will enlighten us all later. ;D Me? Why me? What do I know? As I have said before. You are a hyper-intelligent mega-being. ;D
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Post by shep on Feb 2, 2007 4:16:07 GMT -5
thanks for the info everyone
will anyone be sending a card to a loved one or someone they fancy this year?
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