Valentines Day, don’t you love it, the chance to feel and show love without being accused of being soft, the day that if you don’t show it – well lets just say its cold sleeping outside….
Every year, the 14th of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries, restaurants and such are filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day.
People in secret send a message of ‘Happy Valentines Day’ to the person they admire without saying who it is from thus saving a possible rejection (thats sad really – Leigh)
The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
The story of St. Valentine has two different versions – the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter.
When Claudius became the emperor of Rome, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.
Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine’s Day.
Not everybody acknowledges or accepts Valentines Day. Sadly last year on Valentine’s Day (2011), Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department’s ban againsts the celebration of Valentine’s Day.
So for the rest of us tho – a Happy Valentines Day to all and to all a Happy Valentines Day
Till next time – Leigh
