How did we go from Christian martyrs to Hallmark cards?

This post was supposed to go out at the beginning on the week but I got caught a little bit behind with work and personal matters. Hope is not too late and still relevant!

We all celebrate San Valentines Day, and it’s a wonder to see all the decorations with red roses and red hearts everywhere. But most important the spirits are up around this time of the year and people are like in a love frenzy! But do we really know what are we celebrating? Are we aware of the real story behind Valentines Day? Are we aware of how Valentines Day became an international holiday?

No, I don’t think many people are aware of the real story behind the international celebrated Love Day!

How did we go from Christian martyrs to Hallmark cards?

When Pope Gelasius I dedicated February 14th to the saint and martyr Valentine, he chose that date to replace the traditional Roman feast Lupercalia, a pagan festival popular at the time.

Lupercalia was a fertility festival in honor of the God Faunus (Lupercus), the protector of sheep and goats from wolf attacks, as well as Lupa - the she-wolf who nurtured the orphans Romulus and Remus, associated with the founding of Rome by legend.

The pagan fertility celebration was marked by all manner of rituals like foot racing among naked men, covered in skins of sacrificed goats. Apparently, they would whip women staged along the racecourse as they ran. Another ritual required a child to pair couples at random who would have to live together and be intimate for an entire next year in order to fulfill the fertility rite.

The church was eager to replace such practices with its own focus and St. Valentine became the saint of lovers.

So now, next year when ordering roses bouquet or making preparation for a romantic soiree you will know that you are not only celebrating love, but also fertility and life in general!

Segment extracted from Paul Ratner Article – Who was Saint Valentine, the patron Saint of love. - Bigthink.com
http://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/who-was-saint-valentine-the-patron-saint-of-lovers