In many countries, Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th. Lovers congratulate each other, confess their feelings, give gif.webpts, arrange romantic dates. Since the 90s of the last century, they also began to celebrate Valentine's Day. Where did the holiday come from, how the countries celebrate it, what traditions and customs accompany February 14 - you will find answers to these and other questions in our article. And also we will tell you about the Russian holiday of all lovers, which is celebrated on another day - July 8.
Valentine's Day - the story of the emergence of the holiday
Valentine's Day is a romantic and very beautiful holiday, and the history of its appearance is associated with the priest Valentine, who in the West is considered the patron saint of couples in love. The priest was born in an Italian city near Rome at the beginning of our era. Valentine was a bishop in the Christian church, but in addition to serving God, he was also engaged in natural sciences and medical practice. According to some sources, Valentin tried most of all to help the lovers: he suggested how best to write a tender declaration of love, tried to reconcile the quarreling couples, and supported them in the coming trouble.
In those days, the Roman emperor issued a decree according to which legionnaires had no right to create families. This was done so that young people fully devote themselves to the fulfillment of military duty and not be distracted by romantic relationships. Valentine secretly married Roman legionaries with his beloved girls. Emperor Claudius II, having learned about this, ordered the clergyman to be thrown into the dungeon and put to death.
Valentine's last days are shrouded in mystery, but there is a beautiful legend in which the blind daughter of a prison servant fell in love with a priest. The night before his execution, Valentine wrote to the girl a touching, tender message in which he confessed his feelings. On February 14, Valentine was executed, and the blind girl, having received the letter, gained sight. It is believed that the tradition of writing about your feelings on valentine cards originates from this legend.
When did the holiday of lovers appear? At the end of the last century, our country also began to celebrate February 14. On this day, themed parties were held in clubs and cafes, and lovers began to give each other romantic gif.webpts.
How is Valentine's Day celebrated?
In many nightclubs and restaurants, the holiday is celebrated on a grand scale: the room is decorated with hearts and balloons, heart-shaped snacks and desserts are served, aphrodisiac dishes are on the menu, contests are held, and the best pair is chosen.
The main traditions for Valentine's Day have come down to us. Couples in love exchange romantic gif.webpts, spend the whole day together, and arrange a romantic dinner in the evening. It is customary for a loved one on February 14 to give a valentine card - a card in the shape of a heart with a recognition of your feelings.
On a note! Many couples dream of getting married on Valentine's Day. It is believed that a married couple, who began their family history on February 14, will live to old age in love and harmony.
How is the holiday celebrated in other countries?
- On February 14, Americans give marzipan sweets, which in this country are considered an exquisite, expensive dessert.
- In Japan, the holiday is considered more masculine, therefore, basically, the stronger half receive gif.webpts and recognition. By tradition, the Japanese give chocolate on Valentine's Day.
- French women receive jewelry on February 14th.
- Unmarried Englishwomen wake up when the sun rises, look out the window and wait for the first passer-by.It is believed that this will be the betrothed for a single girl.
On Valentine's Day, it is customary to exchange valentines and mementos
Russian Valentine's Day
A beautiful holiday, Valentine's Day, came to our country quite recently from Western culture. Meanwhile, the Russian people have long had their own special day for all lovers, which is considered a symbol of strong marriage bonds, fidelity and purity of relations between a man and a woman.
On a note! In early July, they celebrate their own holiday: Valentine's Day. On this day, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saints Peter and Fevronia.
The history of the appearance of the holiday on July 8 is very interesting. The main characters are a married couple: David and Euphrosyne, who, after taking monastic vows, began to bear the names Peter and Fevronia.
David ruled the Russian city of Murom in the 13th century. He was a brave and fearless prince, the people loved and trusted David. In an unequal battle with the snake, David defeated the monster and cut off his head. But the blood of the snake, which splashed on the prince, turned out to be poisonous. Once on the man's body, she caused a terrible illness. All of David's skin was covered with terrible sores, which brought inhuman suffering to the prince. Not a single healer could help cope with the disease. But then David's family heard about a Ryazan girl who was capable of performing miracles and curing even fatal diseases.
The messengers galloped to Ryazan and found the beekeeper's daughter, whose name was Efrosinya. The envoys told the girl about the prince's terrible illness, and she agreed to help, but on one condition: if David recovers, he will marry Euphrosyne. The prince agreed to any conditions. He was taken to Ryazan, the girl prepared miraculous medicines and cured the young man. And then David wondered whether he should marry an ordinary girl, the daughter of a bee-keeper? In those days, the division into class was very tough, and therefore it was not proper for a prince to marry a commoner.
Peter (David) did not keep his promise and went to Murom. But the illness immediately returned with renewed vigor, and David had to return to Euphrosyne. The girl again cured the prince, and they got married. The Murom nobility took a dislike to Efrosinya, because she came from the common people. David was given a tough condition: either he leaves his wife and continues to rule the city, or refuses to rule and loses the princely title. David chose the second option and resigned. Euphrosyne supported her spouse as best she could, urging her to trust in the will of God and her love.
After the rejection of the government, things in Murom began to go worse and worse, and David was asked to return to the place of the ruler. Throughout his reign, his wife gave the prince a lot of practical advice, and Murom, thanks to the wise ruler, prospered. When the couple got old, they decided to take a monk's hair. Then they got their names - Peter and Fevronia. They fervently prayed to the Lord to send them death in one day, they even prepared one large coffin for two. Surprisingly, the couple really died on the same day. Their bodies were carried to different places, but the next day the monks found that the deceased were in a common coffin. It was decided not to separate the loved ones and to bury them together, since the will of the Lord was expressed for that.
Since then, the church annually commemorates Saints Peter and Fevronia on July 8, and this day marks the Russian Valentine's Day.
Saints Peter and Fevronia
Traditions and customs of the day of Peter and Fevronia
An analogue of the western holiday is celebrated at the height of summer. Many Russian cities host themed events, concerts and evenings dedicated to family values and marital fidelity. In some cities, a parade of expectant mothers and strollers is held, because children are the fruit of love between a man and a woman, their continuation and the meaning of life. There are often sporting events in which all family members take part.
Often, the city authorities at the celebrations on the day of Peter and Fevronia of Murom congratulate married couples who celebrate the golden or silver anniversary of their cohabitation. Families with many children are often honored on holidays, awarded with medals, certificates, valuable gif.webpts, and sums of money.
What other customs accompany the holiday:
- A festive service is held in the Orthodox Church, they remember Saints Peter and Fevronia, pray for peace and tranquility in every family.
- The holiday is also celebrated in the family circle. All family members gather at the festive table, communicate, say words of gratitude and gratitude to each other.
- The traditional flower on Valentine's Day is chamomile. Beloved people are given bouquets of wildflowers, which symbolize purity and bright feelings.
February 14 will come very soon, which means that lovers around the world will exchange valentines, surprises, and confess their feelings. Do not forget to congratulate your loved one on the holiday! And talk about what you love, not only on this day, but as often as possible.
