For those of you who hate Valentine's Day...

[The Doctor]

and see no reason to celebrate because you think it's just a marketing gimmick, allow me to share some precious news with you.

Valentine's Day was created in remembrance of St. Valentine, who defied the Roman Emperor Claudius who banned marriage in the Roman Empire because he felt it stole soldiers from his army.

St. Valentine defied Emperor Claudius and continued to wed men and women who wanted to be together forever under God. He was arrested and told that he would only be allowed to leave if he renounced Jesus and vowed to no longer perform marriages.

He refused and was executed.

So, for those of you who hate Valentine's Day because you're either a.) Single; B.)Still Single; C.) Don't see the point; or D.) Think it's all a bunch of commercialism, remember St. Valentine and that it is a day to remind ourselves of God's precious creation of marriage and romance, and His love for us and to remember those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our Lord.

[rocklobster]

I already knew this, but thanks anyway. It's always disappointing that so many great holidays have been overly commercialized to the point where we forget what they're truly about (Christmas, anyone?)

[Tenshi no Ai]

It's always disappointing that so many great holidays have been overly commercialized to the point where we forget what they're truly about (Christmas, anyone?)

I had to put out a bunch of stuffed bunnies at work today... already :/ As much as I love cute stuffed (and soooo soft) bunnies, no wonder people seem to forget about what it's really about :/

[Ashley]

Actually, I discovered recently that St. Valentine is largely considered to be mythical and the Catholic church no longer consecrates February 14th in his honor (now it's only St. Methodius and St. Cyril/Cecil...I can't remember which).

Not that I think the Catholic church has to approve a holiday for me to appreciate even a good, truthful myth (in the C.S. Lewis sense of the word). But, just thought I'd let everyone know.

[mitsuki lover]

I think he also got the Emperor wrong.I thought St.Valentine was supposed to have lived a bit later than the time of Claudius.

[Nate]

Mitsuki lover is right, supposedly St. Valentine (if he existed at all) lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, and there are three different years given for his martyrdrom: 269, 270, or 273. Though there was another St. Valentine who lived a bit later in Terni, but there's no record of him having anything to do with romantic love.

Further, historians have stated that there is this is a mere legend for this reason:

"No evidence outside several late saints' legends suggests that Claudius II reversed the policy of toleration established by the policy of his predecessor Gallienus."

Meaning there is no evidence saying that Claudius II refused to allow his soldiers to be married. Further, Claudius II died early in January of 270 meaning two of the dates given for Valentine's martyrdom would have been impossible.

So nice try, but I still decry it as commercialism. :p

[Destroyer2000]

Valentine's Day recently became one of my favorite holidays, and I didn't really like it before. Yes, I'm single. No, I didn't have anyone to spend it with. But seeing young couples spending time together, and seeing the innocence in their eyes made the holiday worth it. It celebrates love, no matter how commercialized it might be. I even bought flowers for it.

Anyway, thank you for the information. Whether it is true or not, it is still a nice story.

[mitsuki lover]

It's still illegal in Saudi Arabia.I read just now in U.S.News & World Report that the
Religious Police there cart anyone off to jail there that they find even WEARING red.

[The Doctor]

Sorry I got those parts wrong. I just found out about this and posted it online without remembering EVERYTHING correctly.

[Stephen]

I saw a Hershey Kiss the other day larger than my fist. I think I got diabitis just from looking at it.

[mitsuki lover]

Well another Valentine's Day is done and we now can look forward to celebrating that best of holidays my birthday otherwise known as St.Patrick's Day!