The story behind St.Valentine’s Day

Dear Friends,

February has arrived, and as we grow weary of winter, we embrace the delightful holiday of love—St. Valentine’s Day. Some welcome it with joy, while others see it as a commercial holiday dominated by chocolate and plush hearts.

Lost in the mists of time, the origins of this holiday are somewhat unclear. However, certain dates can still be traced, clarifying the beginnings of Valentine’s Day. It is said that in 270 AD, the priest Valentine performed his sacred work by promoting love and marriage. This was during the time when Roman Emperor Claudius II banned engagements and marriages to ensure soldiers remained focused on military matters. Despite the ban, Valentine helped those wishing to marry, for which he was captured, accused, and beheaded on February 14th in front of a large crowd. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius decreed February 14th as an official holiday in honor of St. Valentine.

There is also a possibility that the festival is a continuation of the much older Roman festival, Lupercalia. During this festival, men participated in a matchmaking lottery, drawing the names of young women. The chosen couples could then engage in relationships for a year.

Legend has it that the first Valentine’s Day card was sent by the Duke of Orleans to his wife in 1415, from the Tower of London where he was imprisoned after the French defeat at Agincourt. Whether the Duke signed the card remains uncertain, but the tradition of unsigned valentines became particularly popular during the Victorian era.

Another belief from the Middle Ages suggests that women would feast on various exotic foods on the evening of February 14th, hoping the fullness of their stomachs would bring dreams of their future fiancés. Whether effective or not, it at least gave single women something to dream about until the following year.

Sending cards on this day became fashionable in the 17th century, and millions of cards are exchanged worldwide to this day. The holiday has spread from the United States to Australia, Mexico, France, and many other countries. In Bulgaria, there is still a debate on whether this holiday is truly ours and if we should celebrate it.

Despite the controversy, florists, card sellers, and plush toy vendors see significant profits on St. Valentine’s Day.

Dear friends, this year, we continue with our short and hopefully interesting educational texts to help you master the intricacies of the English language. Stay with us and regularly visit our website blog for new, exciting experiences and fascinating vocabulary. Don’t forget to use the language change button at the top right!

See you soon!

Author: Iveta Radeva