St. Valentine's Day - ancient story

Festivals, devoted to the most important feeling - Love, have been known about ever since ancient pagan cultures. For example, the Romans celebrated “Lupercalia”, a festival of eroticism, in the middle of February in honour of the goddess of love Juno Februata. However, St. Valentine's Day, which is believed to have existed for over 16 centuries and according to the legend has a particular Catholic priest Valentine to thank for it..

This ancient story dates back to 269 year and has many different interpretations. Here is one of the legends telling the appearance of Valentine's Day.

Many years ago, around about the 3rd century, the ruler of the Roman Empire was Claudius II. The Emperor was always hungry for new lands. Within these times belligerent Roman army suffered an acute shortage of Legionnaires for the conquests, and the Roman Emperor was convinced that the main enemy of his grandiose plan was that of marriage, for married men cannot be "good" ruthless warriors. Thus, in order to keep the legions of army and soldiers with a military spirit, Claudius issued an edict forbidding legionnaires to get married.

However, soldiers did not stop falling less in love. The only salvation for ardently enamoured Legionnaires was young priest Valentine. Having a sensitive and good heart, he not only helped the lovers meet and exchange passionate letters, but without fear of imperial anger, secretly married soldiers of the Roman Empire to their lovers.

Having found out that the priest disobeyed his edict cruel Emperor Claudius sentenced him to death. The daughter of a prison warden, where Valentine was under detention before the execution, having learned what the priest was sentenced for, decided to meet him. The girl's beauty and fondness captured the priest and he fell in love. His love was mutual. The day before the execution, the priest wrote a farewell letter to the girl, which contained only two words of farewell "Your Valentine." So these words have become a symbol of eternal love and fidelity.

Valentine's Day started to be celebrated in Moldova relatively not long ago, but in a short time became popular and loved by many.

On this day, the Day of Lovers people congratulate each other all around, and even the most serious and busy ones find time to tell words of love to their second halves giving gift to demonstrate their feelings.
On this day, it is a rule to give gifts not only to a lover, but also to moms, dads, grandparents, children, friends and even the bosses.