Who was Saint Valentine?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred. One legend states that Valentine was a priest who served during 3rd Century Rome. When the Emporer outlawed marriage because single men were more suited for war, Saint Valentine continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered the Emperor ordered him to death.
Other legends suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. One story says that while imprisoned, he actually sent the first "valentine" greeting to a young girl he fell in love with that visited him. Before his death, he wrote a letter to her and signed it with "From your Valentine." The expression is still used today! While the truth behind the Valentine legends may still be a mystery, all the stories emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, he had become one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Valentine's Day History Facts
The actual holiday revolving around St. Valentine began in England and has since spread to Canada, Mexico, the United States, France and Australia. Here are few history facts about this romantic date:
- Many claim that Valentine's Day was celebrated in February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture.
- During Lupercalia, young women would place their names in a big urn. The bachelors would then choose a name and become paired with that woman for the year. This tradition often ended in marriage.
- During the Middle Ages, February 14th was commonly believed in England and France to be the beginning of birds' mating season. This added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance.
- The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans,t o his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
- By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes.
- By 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their feelings in a time when direct expression was discouraged.
- In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Known as the "Mother of Valentine," she made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures.
Happy Valentine's Day from Your Lake Vacation! Whether it's for Valentine's Day, a birthday or anniversary, a Lake of the Ozarks vacation getaway is a great way to spend time with that special someone. Book your reservations with us today by calling 877-284-0267. From one bedroom condos to 5 bedroom waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have all your accommodation needs covered!
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4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
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Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
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