Revista_sf.valentin

L’ECOLE „ION AGÂRBICEANU” ALBA IULIA

REVUE SCOLAIRE: CLASEI a VI-a A CLASEI a V-a C CLASEI a IV-a B

FEVRIER – 2009

14 Februarie este ziua in care oamenii sărbătoresc pe intreg globul trimiţând urări de dragoste si de prietenie. Dragostea si stima sunt exprimate de cadouri, iar printre cele mai populare sunt florile si bomboanele de ciocolata. Chiar si copii fac schimb in flecare an de felicitări cu inimioare si cupidoni. Toata lumea cunoaşte aceasta sărbătoare ca fiind cea mai romantica sărbătoare a anului. Povestea acestei frumoase tradiţii este legata exclusiv de un personaj cunoscut ca Sf. Valentin Prin urmare, se cade ca toti creştinii sa sărbătoreasca aceasta zi? Bineînţeles. Cu toate ca nu suntem foarte siguri cine a fost Valentin, aceasta este totuşi o zi speciala in care ne putem exprima dragostea fata de cei dragi, mai mult decât de obicei, si nu doar singura zi din an in care sa iubim... In Evul Mediu sărbătoarea de Sf. Valentin era una din cele mai populare sărbători din Europa. Pe cand era inchis in Turnul Londrei in anul 1415, Charles, Ducele de Orleans, i-a trimis soţiei sale o felicitare de Sf. Valentin, lucru care se practica si astăzi. O alta varianta ne spune ca Valentin a fost un preot care căsătorea cuplurile in secret, împotriva legii date de împăratul Claudius care interzisese căsătoria. Si in aceasta poveste el a fost dus la închisoare deoarece refuzase sa treacă la credinţa in zeii pagani. In închisoare, el se împrieteneşte cu fiica temnicerului pe care o convinge sa creadă in Dumnezeu. El a fost executat in data de 14 februarie. Mesajele trimise intre cei doi îndrăgostiţi in aceasta zi sunt predecesoarele Cărţilor postale de Ziua îndrăgostiţilor din zilele noastre. Cărţile postale cu dedicaţii speciale au apărut de abia in 1780. Ele au avut un mare succes in Germania unde erau numite "cărţile prieteniei". In ultima vreme, Ziua îndrăgostiţilor a fost adoptata si pe meleagurile noastre.Tinerii sunt incantati ca exista si o zi a lor, a îndrăgostiţilor, un prilej de a sărbători împreuna cu cel (cea) iubit(a). Desi mai sunt voci care spun ca nu este o zi specifica tarii noastre, ea prinde rădăcini tot mai adânci cu fiecare an ce trece.

VALENTINE'S DAY

In ultima vreme, Ziua îndrăgostiţilor a fost adoptata si pe meleagurile noastre.Tinerii sunt incanta ca exista si o zi a lor, a îndrăgostiţilor, un prilej de a sărbători împreuna cu cel (cea) iubit(a). Desi mai sunt voci care spun ca nu este o zi specifica tarii noastre, ea prinde rădăcini tot mai adânci ci fiecare an ce trece. Mulţi dintre noi ne întrebam desigur cine a fost Valentin si care sunt originile acestei sărbători. Exista mai multe versiuni ale acestei istorioare, care îmbinate au născut o legenda: legenda Sfanţului Valentin. Se spune ca Valentin a fost un preot roman martirizat in timpul persecuţiei lui Claudius in anii 269-270 d.c. Tanar fiind, Valentin ii ajuta pe creştini in vremurile persecuţiei. El a fost prins si băgat in închisoare, unde a devenit un propovăduitor. Tocmai de aceea a fost condamnat la moarte la data de 14 februarie-269. In timpul cat a stat in închisoare el trimitea mesaje de îmbărbătare prietenilor spunandu-le "Amintiti-va de Valentin" si "Va iubesc".O alta varianta ne spune ca Valentin a fost un preot care căsătorea cuplurile in secre împotriva legii date de împăratul Claudius care interzisese căsătoria. Si in aceasta poveste el a fost dus la închisoare deoarece refuzase sa treacă la credinţa in zeii pagani. In închisoare, el se împrieteneşte cu fiica temnicerului pe care o convinge sa creada in Dumnezeu. In ziua execuţiei sale-14 feb. 269, Valentin scrie o scrisoare de dragoste fetei temnicerului, pe care nu o semneaza.Un lucru cert, ramane totuşi faptul ca a existat un preot cu numele de Valentin, care a fost executat pentru credinţa sa in Dumnezeu.Ziua de 14 februarie a ramas o zi speciala in care i sărbătorim pe Sfanţul Valentin. Aceasta se intampla cu o zi înainte de festivalul pagan in care se sărbătorea dragostea. In 496 Papa Gelasius schimba Lupercalia de la 15 la 14 februarie in încercarea sa de a stopa aceasta sărbătoare pagana. Biserica înţelege ca nu este nimic rau in a sărbători dragostea, ci doar elementele pagane care aduceau o insulta la adresa divinităţii. Lupercalia s-a sărbătorit in continuare, dar aceasta a ramas marcata ca ziua Sf.Valentin. Astfel, Valentin a inceput sa fie cunoscut ca fiind protectorul îndrăgostiţilor. Cand avea loc Lupercalia, sărbătoarea pagana, se obişnuia sa se scrie numele tuturor fetelor nemaritate, care apoi se introduceau intr-o cutie. Fiecare bărbat extrăgea cate un astfel de bileţel, iar fata aleasa devenea iubita lui pentru un an intreg. O practica similara a prins contur incepand cu secolul al 14-lea. In ziua de 14 februarie fiecare băiat alegea o fata care-l devenea iubita pentru o zi. Aceasta se făcea pentru a corespunde cu credinţa ca împerecherea pasărilor (simbolul primăverii) are loc d€ ziua Sf. Valentin.Mesajele trimise intre cei doi îndrăgostiţi in aceasta zi sunt predecesoarele Cărţilor poştale de Ziua îndrăgostiţilor din zilele noastre. Cărţile poştale cu dedicaţii speciale au apărut de abia in 1780. Ele au avut un mare succes in Germania unde erau numite "cărţile prieteniei". Prin urmare, se cade ca toti creştinii sa sărbătoreasca aceasta zi? Bineînţeles. Cu toate ca nu suntem foarte siguri cine a fost Valentin, aceasta este totuşi o zi speciala in care ne putem exprima dragostea fata de cei dragi, mai mult decât de obicei, si nu doar singura zi din an in care sa iubim

VALENTINE'S DAY

O altă legendă spune că pe la anul 270 d.Hr., R o m a era angajată în campanii militare s â n g e r o a s e şi nepopulare. împăratul Claudiu al ll-lea a v e a greutăţi în recrutarea soldaţilor pentru formarea legiunilor romane, îşi s p u n e a , pe bună dreptate, că mulţi bărbaţi preferau să stea lângă soţiile şi logodnicele lor decât s ă - ş i rişte viaţa în luptă. înfuriat de lipsa de entuziasm a bărbaţilor din imperiu, Claudiu cel Crud, cum era numit, a luat hotărârea să anuleze căsătoriile şi logodnele pe întreg teritoriul.în consecinţă, perechile care doreau să se c ă s ă t o r e a s c ă au început să caute o persoană care să accepte să le u n e a s c ă drept soţ şi soţie. Se spune că un preot, pe nume Valentin, a acceptat să celebreze astfel de căsătorii, în pofida poruncilor împăratului Claudiu. C â n d împăratul a aflat de existenţa acestor ceremonii, a dat ordin să fie arestat. După un an de închisoare, Valentin a fost adus în faţa împăratului, care a încercat să-l convingă să se convertească la zeii romani, dar Valentin a refuzat să se supună voinţei suveranului.Atunci a fost condamnat la moarte, bătut şi decapitat în ziua de 14 februarie, în ajunul sărbătorii iubirii în R o m a antică. Sacrificiul lui pe altarul iubirii i-a adus canonizarea.Temnicerul lui Valentin, Asterius, avea o fată oarbă pe nume Augustina. Valentin a reuşit să o vindece pe Augustina. Fata l-a îngrijit a ş a de bine în timpul detenţiei, încât, înainte de a fi executat, el i-a trimis un mesaj ca să-i d o v e d e a s c ă recunoştinţa. Pe hârtie s c r i a : "Mulţumesc. Al tău, Valentin". De aici ar fi apărut obiceiul trimiterii mesajelor de Sfântul Valentin. Pe mormântul lui a fost plantat un migdal, simbol al iubirii eterne. Această împrejurare a vindecării unei fete şi numele de Valentin, care înseamnă sănătate şi vigoare, explică de ce logodnicii, tinerii în pragul căsătoriei, l-au ales ocrotitorul lor.

Valentine's D a y History There ar e varyin g opinion s a s t o th e origi n o f Valentine's Day . Som e expert s stat e tha t i t originated fro m St . Valentine , a Roma n wh o wa s martyre d fo r refusin g t o giv e u p Christianity . He die d o n Februar y 14 , 26 9 A.D. , th e sam e da y tha t ha d bee n devote d t o lov e lotteries . Legen d also say s tha t St . Valentin e lef t a farewel l not e fo r th e jailer's daughter , wh o ha d becom e hi s friend, an d signe d i t "Fro m You r Valentine". Othe r aspect s o f the stor y sa y tha t Sain t Valentine served a s a priest a t th e templ e durin g th e reig n o f Emperor Claudius . Claudiu s the n ha d Valentine jailed fo r defyin g him . I n 49 6 A.D . Pop e Gelasiu s se t asid e Februar y 1 4 t o honou r St . Valentine. Gradually, Februar y 1 4 becam e th e dat e fo r exchangin g lov e message s an d St . Valentin e becam e the patron sain t o f lovers. Th e dat e wa s marke d b y sendin g poem s an d simpl e gift s suc h a s flowers. Ther e wa s ofte n a socia l gatherin g o r a ball. In th e Unite d States , Mis s Esthe r Howlan d i s give n credi t fo r sendin g th e firs t valentin e cards . Commercial valentine s wer e introduce d i n th e 1800' s an d no w th e dat e i s ver y commercialised . The tow n o f Loveland, Colorado , doe s a larg e post offic e busines s aroun d Februar y 14 . Th e spirit o f good continue s a s valentine s ar e sen t ou t wit h sentimenta l verse s an d childre n exchang e valentine card s a t school .

T h e History of Saint Valentine's D a y Valentine's Da y starte d i n th e tim e o f the Roma n Empire . I n ancien t Rome , Februar y 14t h wa s a holiday t o honou r Juno . Jun o wa s th e Quee n o f the Roma n God s an d Goddesses . Th e Roman s also kne w he r a s th e Goddes s o f women an d marriage . Th e followin g day , Februar y 15th , bega n the Feas t o f Lupercalia.

The live s o f young boy s an d girl s wer e strictl y separate . However , on e o f the custom s o f the young peopl e wa s n a m e drawing . O n th e ev e o f the festiva l o f Lupercalia th e name s o f Roman girls wer e writte n o n slip s o f paper an d placed int o jars. Eac h youn g ma n woul d dra w a girl' s name fro m th e j ar an d woul d the n b e partner s fo r th e duratio n o f the festiva l wit h th e gir l w h o m he chose . Sometime s th e pairin g o f the childre n laste d a n entir e year , an d often , the y woul d fal l in lov e an d woul d late r marry .

Under th e rul e o f Emperor Claudiu s I I Rom e wa s involve d i n man y blood y an d unpopula r campaigns. Claudiu s th e Crue l wa s havin g a difficul t tim e gettin g soldier s t o join hi s militar y leagues. H e believe d tha t th e reaso n wa s tha t roman me n di d no t wan t t o leav e thei r love s o r families. A s a result , Claudiu s cancelle d al l marriage s an d engagement s i n Rome . Th e goo d Sain t Valentine wa s a priest a t Rom e i n th e day s o f Claudius II . H e an d Sain t Mariu s aide d th e Christian martyr s an d secretl y marrie d couples , an d fo r this kin d dee d Sain t Valentin e wa s apprehended an d dragge d befor e th e Prefec t o f Rome, wh o condemne d hi m t o b e beate n t o deat h with club s an d t o hav e hi s hea d cu t off . H e suffere d martyrdo m o n th e 14t h da y o f February, about th e yea r 270. A t tha t tim e i t wa s th e custo m i n Rome , a ver y ancien t custom , indeed , t o celebrate i n th e mont h o f February th e Lupercalia , feast s i n honou r o f a heathe n god . O n thes e occasions, amids t a variet y o f pagan ceremonies , th e name s o f young w o m e n wer e place d i n a box, fro m whic h the y wer e draw n by th e me n a s chanc e directed .

The pastors o f the earl y Christia n Churc h i n R o m e endeavoure d to d o awa y wit h th e paga n element i n thes e feast s b y substitutin g th e name s o f saints fo r thos e o f maidens. An d a s th e Lupercalia bega n abou t th e middl e o f February, th e pastor s appea r t o hav e chose n Sain t Valentine's Da y fo r the celebratio n o f this ne w feaSt . S o i t seem s tha t the custo m o f young me n choosing maiden s fo r valentines, o r saint s a s patron s fo r th e comin g year , aros e i n thi s way .

Florea Alin Florin Cls. a V-a C

Acela care nu a iubit niciodată, inseamna ca nu a trăit niciodată. Aminteste-ti in fiecare dimineaţa cand te trezeşti sa faci astfel ca măcar un suflet sa stie ce inseamna dragostea pentru care trăieşti tu...

PENTRU TOTI INDRGOSTITII....UN VALENTINE'S DA Y ÎNCUNUNA T D E IUBIRE ! ! !

Dragostea, este un giuvaer de mare pret,dat in dar fiecărei fiinteumane. Daca l-ai pierdut, viata ta nu mai are nici un sens. Te iubesc! Dragostea mea pentru tine creste cu fiecare zi..

Daca vrei sa-mi spui ce n-ai spus nimănui, eu voi fi mereu aproape sa te ascult. Din privirea mea vei putea afla cat de mult tin eu la tine. Sunt nopţi in care nu inchid ochii gandindu-ma la tine, sunt nopţi in care vreau sa te ating si sa ramai cu mine. Tu esti motivul pentru care trăiesc. Felicitări

Dragostea mea pentru tine creste cu fiecare zi..

Valentines Day Every February, acros s the country, candy , flowers , an d gifts are exchange d between loved ones, al l in the name o f St. Valentine. Bu t who is this mysterious sain t and why do we celebrate this holiday ?

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. Bu t we do know that February has lon g been a month of romance. St . Valentine' s Day, a s we know it today, contain s vestiges o f both Christia n an d ancien t Roman tradition. So, wh o was Sain t Valentine and how di d he become associated with this ancien t rite? Today , th e Catholic Churc h recognizes a t least three differen t saint s name d Valentine o r Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who serve d during the third century in Rome. Whe n Emperor Claudius I I decide d that single men made better soldiers than those with wives an d families, h e outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential

soldiers. Valentine , realizing the injustice o f the decree , defie d Claudius an d continue d to perform marriages fo r young lover s in secret. Whe n Valentine's action s were discovered, Claudiu s ordered that he be put to death . Othe r stories sugges t that Valentine ma y have been killed for attempting t o help Christians escap e harsh Roman prisons wher e they were ofte n beaten an d tortured. According to on e legend, Valentine actually sent the firs t Valentine' greetin g himself. Whil e i n prison, i t is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughte r - wh o visite d him durin g hi s confinement . Before his death , i t is allege d that he wrote her a letter, whic h he signe d 'From your Valentine,' a n expression that is stil l in use today. Althoug h the truth behind the Valentine legends i s murky, the storie s certainl y emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and , mos t importantly, romantic figure. It's no surpris e that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was on e of the most popular saints i n England and France. Whil e som e believe that Valentine's Day is celebrate d in the middle of February to commemorat e th e anniversar y o f Valentine's deat h or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christia n churc h may have decide d to celebrat e Valentine's feas t day in the middl e o f February in a n effort to 'christianize' celebration s o f the pagan Lupercalia festival . I n ancient Rome, Februar y was th e officia l beginnin g o f spring and was considere d a time fo r purification. House s wer e ritually cleanse d by sweeping them ou t and then sprinklin g sal t and a type o f wheat called spel t throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides o f February, Februar y 15 , was a fertility festival dedicate d to Faunus, th e Roman god of agriculture, a s well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. T o begin the festival, member s o f the Luperci, a n order of Roman priests, woul d gather at the sacre d cave wher e the infants Romulus an d Remus, th e founder s o f Rome, wer e believed to hav e been care d fo r by a she-wol f or lupa. Th e priests would then sacrific e a goat, fo r fertility, an d a dog, fo r purification. Th e boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips , dipped them in the sacrificia l blood and took to the streets ,

gently slappin g bot h women and field s o f crops with the goathide strips . Fa r from being fearful, Roma n women welcomed being touched with the hides because i t was believed the strip s woul d make them more fertil e i n the coming year. Late r in the day, accordin g to legend, al l the young women in the cit y would place their names i n a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name ou t of the urn an d become paired fo r the year with his chose n woman. These matches ofte n ende d in marriage. Pope Gelasius declare d February 1 4 St . Valentine' s Day around 498 A.D . Th e Roman 'lottery' syste m for romantic pairing was deeme d un-Christian and outlawed. Later , durin g the Middle Ages, i t was commonl y believed in France an d England that February 1 4 wa s the beginning o f birds' matin g season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day — shoul d be a day for romance. The oldes t known valentine stil l in existenc e today was a poem written by Charles, Duk e of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Towe r of London following his captur e a t the Battle of Agincourt. Th e greeting, which was written in 1415, i s part of the manuscript collectio n of the Britis h Library in London, England. Severa l years later, i t is believed that King Henr y V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compos e a valentine note to Catherin e o f Valois. In Great Britain, Valentine' s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeent h century. B y the middle o f the eighteent h century , i t was commo n for friends an d lovers in al l socia l classe s t o exchang e smal l token s o f affection or handwritten notes. B y the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters du e to improvements i n printing technology. Ready-mad e card s were an eas y way for people to expres s their emotions in a time when direct expression o f one's feeling s wa s discouraged . Cheape r postage rates als o contribute d to a n increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. American s probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s . I n the 1840s, Esther A. Howlan d began to sel l the first mass-

produced valentines i n America.

VALENTINE/AMOUR Célébré l e 1 4 févrie r chaqu e année , l e j o ur d e Sain t Valentin e o u l e jour d e Valentin e es t l e jour traditionne l l'o ù le s amoureu x donnen t leu r amou r entr e eu x e n envoyan t le s carte s d e Valentine, égalisen t parfoi s anonyme . L e dispositi f le plu s c o m m u n d u jour d e Valentine s es t de no s j o u rs l'échang e mutue l de s note s d'amou r sou s form e d e « valentine s » . Le s symbole s populaires d e Valentin e de s temp s moderne s incluen t l e contou r e n form e d e coeu r e t l a figur e du cupido n à ailes . Depui s l e 19èm e siècle , le s carte s d e salutatio n produite s e n séri e on t e n grande parti e remplac é le s note s manuscrites . O n l e croi t qu e presqu e u n milliar d d e carte s d e jour d e Valentine s son t envoyée s tou s le s an s dan s l e m o n d e entier , lu i faisan t seulemen t le s deuxièmes plu s grande s vacance s d e carte-envo i à côt é d e Noël . De s femme s son t censée s acheter approximativemen t 8 5 pou r cen t d e tou s le s « valentine s » .

Histoires des beaucoup de Valentines Les avi s diffèren t a u suje t d e qu i l a ru e Valentin e était . Le s martyrologie s tô t mentionnen t a u moins troi s l a ru e Valentine s sou s l a dat e d u 1 4 février . O n es t u n prêtr e à R o m e , de s autre s u n évêque d'Interamn a (maintenan t Tern i e n Italie ) e t d e l'autr e on t habit é e t son t mort s e n Afrique. Beaucoup , cependant , son t d e l'opinio n qu e le s deu x premier s son t l a m ê m e personne. On croi t largemen t le , cependant , qu e l e jour d e Valentin e a peut-êtr e proven u d u réga l romai n antique d e Lupercalia . U n festiva l a ét é ten u l e 1 5 févrie r e n l'honneu r d'u n d e leur s dieu x Lupercus, qu i a ét é invit é pa r l e R o m a n s pou r écarte r le s menace s d e ce s loup s féroce s qu i on t erré le s forêt s adjacentes . L a veill e d u festiva l d e Lupercalia , o n a organis é un e loteri e d'amour dan s laquell e le s n o m s de s fille s romaine s on t ét é écrit s su r de s glissade s d e papie r e t placés dan s de s fioles . Chaqu e j e u ne h o m m e a alor s dessin é un e glissad e e t l a fill e don t l e n o m qu'i l a sélectionn é étai t ver s l e hau t êtr e so n amoureu x pendan t l'année .

Les vacance s son t plu s tar d devenue s l e j o ur d e Valentin e aprè s qu'u n prêtr e ai t appel é Valentine. À c e moment-l à quan d l e christianism e étai t toujour s un e nouvell e religion , Valentine étai t u n prêtr e à R o m e . L'empereu r pui s Claudiu s II , avai t publi é u n ordr e interdisant le s soldat s romain s d e s e marie r o u deveni r s'es t engagé . L'empereu r a cr u qu'un e fois qu'il s s e mariaient , se s soldat s voudraien t reste r à l a maiso n plutô t qu e combatten t se s guerres. Valentin e défian t l e décre t d e l'empereu r e t secrètemen t épous é le s couple s d é j e u n e s . Il a ét é finalemen t arrêté , emprisonné , e t l e 1 4 févrie r décapité , l a veill e d e Lupercalia . Valentine a ét é à titr e posthum e appel é u n saint . Pendan t qu e l e christianism e s e développai t plus for t à R o m e , le s prêtre s on t déplac é le s vacance s d e Lupercali a o u d e ressor t d u 1 5 février a u 1 4 février , c.-à-d. , l e jour d e Valentine . Depui s lor s le s vacance s on t c o m m e n c é à honorer Sain t Valentin e a u lie u d e Lupercus .

« De votre Valentine »

Selon un e autr e histoire , Valentin e étai t l'u n de s premier s chrétien s qu i a ét é sais i e t traîn é avant l e préfe t d e R o m e e t emprisonn é pou r aide r quelque s martyre s chrétiens . I l a guér i l a fille de s jailor d e l a cécit é tandi s qu'e n prison . Quan d l'empereu r appri s d e c e miracl e i l a commandé l a décapitatio n d e Valentine . O n di t qu e Valentin e envoi e à l a fill e de s jailor u n message d'adie u signé , « d e votr e Valentin e » . En 1969 , e n tan t qu'élémen t d'u n plu s gran d effor t d e réduir e l e nombr e d e j o u rs d e sain t d'origine puremen t légendaire , l'églis e a enlev é l e jour d e ru e Valentin e c o m m e vacance s officielles d e so n calendrier . Actuellement , 1 4 févrie r es t consacr é seulemen t à Sain t Cyri l e t à

Saint Methodius .

TANASE RALUC A C L A S A A V- A C

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to massproduced greeting cards.The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th-century America was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend in average twice as much money as women. Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, Until 1969, the Catholic Church formally recognized eleven Valentine's Days. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae). Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who suffered martyrdom about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome, and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland. Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni {Basilica di San Valentino). The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.

No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the fourteenth century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost. in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints the feastday of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14. The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Vatican II calendar. The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were excerpted by Bede and briefly expounded in Legenda Áurea. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer. Legenda Áurea still providing no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved, as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine.

Saint-Valentin

Le jour d e l a Saint-Valentin , l e 1 4 février , es t considér é dan s d e nombreu x pay s comm e l a fêt e des amoureu x e t d e l'amitié. Le s couple s e n profiten t pou r échange r de s mot s dou x e t de s cadeaux comm e preuve s d'amou r ains i qu e de s rose s rouge s qu i son t l'emblèm e d e l a passion . A l'origin e fêt e d e l'Églis e catholique , l e jour d e l a Saint-Valenti n n'aurai t pa s ét é associ é ave c l'amour romantiqu e avan t l e hau t Moye n Âg e mai s ave c l'amou r physique . L a fêt e es t maintenant associé e plu s étroitemen t à l'échang e mutue l d e « billet s dou x » o u d e valentins illustrés d e symbole s tel s qu'u n cœu r o u u n Cupido n ailé . L'association d u milie u d u moi s d e févrie r ave c l'amou r e t l a fertilit é dat e d e l'antiquité . Dan s l e calendrier d e l'Athène s antique , l a périod e d e mi-janvie r à mi-févrie r étai t l e moi s d e Gamélion , consacré a u mariag e sacr é d e Zeu s e t d e Héra . Dans l a Rom e antique , l e jour d u 1 5 févrie r étai t nomm é le s lupercale s o u festiva l d e Lupercus , le die u d e l a fertilité , qu e l'o n représent e vêt u d e peau x d e chèvre . Le s prêtre s d e Lupercu s sacrifiaient de s chèvre s a u die u et , aprè s avoi r b u d u vin , il s couraien t dan s le s rue s d e Rom e à moitié nu s e t touchaien t le s passant s e n tenan t de s morceau x d e pea u d e chèvr e à l a main . Le s jeunes femme s s'approchaien t volontiers , ca r êtr e touché e ains i étai t cens é rendr e fertil e e t faciliter l'accouchement . Cett e solennit é païenn e honorai t Junon , déess e romain e de s femme s e t du mariage , ains i qu e Pan , l e die u d e l a nature . Le rapprochement entre la Saint-Valentin et l'amour courtois n'est mentionné dans aucune histoire ancienne et est considéré par des historiens comme une légende. Il existe une légende selon laquelle la fête de la Saint-Valentin a été créée pour contrecarrer la pratique des lupercales par les jeunes amoureux qui dessinaient leurs noms sur une urne. Mais cette pratique n'est citée dans aucune source écrite de l'époque. En Chin e e t à Taïwan , depui s le s année s 1980 , l a Saint-Valenti n connaî t un e popularit é importante, notammen t che z le s jeunes , qu i génèren t diverse s activité s commerciales . À par t l a Saint-Valentin, i l exist e un e fêt e traditionnelle , l e Qi Qiao .lie, pou r le s amoureux , provenan t d'une légend e ancienne , don t l a dat e es t l e septièm e jour d u septièm e moi s d u calendrie r lunaire . Au Japon , cett e pratiqu e es t un e obligatio n pou r beaucou p d e femmes , notammen t le s employée s de bureau , qu i doiven t offri r de s chocolat s à tou s leur s collègue s masculins , parfoi s à u n coû t trè s élevé (ce s chocolat s son t d'ailleur s appelé s giri choko [ 1 1 3 ^ a c'est-à-dir e « chocolat s d'obligation ») . L e 1 4 mar s es t appel é white day (l e jour blanc) , c'es t u n phénomèn e commercia l

créé a u Japo n e t repri s pa r l a Coré e d u Sud , Taiwa n e t Hon g Kong . À cett e dat e le s homme s son t censés offri r u n ling e (o u d'autre s cadeaux ) blan c à celle s qu i leu r on t offer t de s chocolats . L a jeune fill e peu t exige r à cett e occasio n u n cadea u don t l a valeu r es t troi s foi s supérieur e à l a valeur de s chocolat s offert s u n moi s plu s tôt . La première mention du jour de la Saint-Valentin avec une connotation amoureuse remonte au e

XIV siècle en Angleterre et en France, où l'on croyait que le 14 février était le jour où les oiseaux s'accouplaient (lire entre autre « La Dame à la licorne »). Cette croyance est mentionnée dans les écrits e

de Geoffrey Chaucer au XIV siècle. Il était courant durant cette période que les amoureux échangent e

des billets et qu'ils s'appellent chacun leur Valentin. Un de ces billets du XIV siècle se trouverait à la British Library, Il est probable que nombre de légendes sur la Saint-Valentin aient été inventées pendant cette période. Parmi ces légendes,on trouve celles-ci :

Valentine's Day Every February , acros s th e country , candy , flowers , an d gift s are exchange d betwee n love d ones , al l i n th e nam e o f St. Valentine. Bu t wh o i s thi s mysteriou s sain t an d wh y d o w e celebrate thi s holiday ? The histor y o f Valentine's Da y — an d it s patro n sain t — i s shrouded i n mystery . Bu t w e d o kno w tha t Februar y ha s lon g been a mont h o f romance. St . Valentine' s Day , a s w e kno w i t today, contain s vestige s o f both Christia n an d ancien t Roma n tradition.

So, wh o wa s Sain t Valentin e an d ho w di d h e becom e associated wit h thi s ancien t rite ? Today , th e Catholi c Churc h recognizes a t leas t thre e differen t saint s name d Valentin e o r Valentinus, al l o f whom wer e martyred . On e legen d contend s that Valentin e wa s a pries t wh o serve d durin g th e thir d centur y in R o m e . Whe n Empero r Claudiu s H decide d that singl e me n mad e better soldier s tha n thos e wit h wive s an d families , h e outlawe d marriage fo r youn g me n — hi s cro p o f potential soldiers . Valentine, realizin g th e injustic e o f the decree , defie d Claudiu s and continue d t o perfor m marriage s fo r youn g lover s i n secret . When Valentine' s action s wer e discovered , Claudiu s ordere d that h e b e pu t t o death . Othe r storie s sugges t tha t Valentin e may hav e bee n kille d fo r attemptin g t o hel p Christian s escap e harsh Roma n prison s wher e the y wer e ofte n beate n an d tortured.

gently slappin g bot h wome n an d field s o f crops wit h th e goathide strips . Fa r fro m bein g fearful , Roma n wome n welcomed bein g touche d wit h th e hide s becaus e i t wa s believed th e strip s woul d mak e the m mor e fertil e i n th e coming year . Late r i n th e day , accordin g t o legend , al l th e young wome n i n th e cit y woul d plac e thei r names i n a bi g urn . The city' s bachelor s woul d the n eac h choos e a name ou t o f the urn an d becom e paire d fo r the yea r wit h hi s chose n woman . These matche s ofte n ende d i n marriage . declare d Februar y 1 4 St . Valentine' s Da y aroun d 498 A.D . Th e Roma n 'lottery ' syste m fo r romanti c pairin g wa s deemed un-Christia n an d outlawed . Later , durin g th e Middl e A g e s , i t wa s commonl y believe d i n Franc e an d Englan d tha t February 1 4 wa s th e beginnin g o f birds' matin g season , whic h added t o th e ide a that th e middl e o f February — Valentine' s Day — shoul d b e a da y fo r romance. Pope Gelasiu s

The oldes t know n valentin e stil l i n existenc e toda y wa s a poe m written b y Charles , Duk e o f Orleans t o hi s wif e whil e h e wa s imprisoned i n th e Towe r o f London followin g hi s captur e a t th e Battle o f Agincourt. Th e greeting , whic h wa s writte n i n 1415 , i s part o f the manuscrip t collectio n o f the Britis h Librar y i n London, England . Severa l year s later , i t i s believe d that Kin g Henry v hire d a write r name d Joh n Lvdgat e t o compos e a valentin e

note t o Catherin e o f Valois. In Grea t Britain , Valentine' s Da y bega n t o b e popularl y celebrated aroun d th e seventeent h century . B y th e middl e o f the eighteent h century , i t wa s commo n fo r friend s an d lover s in al l socia l classe s t o exchang e smal l token s o f affection o r handwritten notes . B y th e en d o f the century , printe d card s began t o replac e writte n letter s du e t o improvement s i n printing technology . Ready-mad e card s wer e a n eas y wa y fo r

According t o on e legend , Valentin e actuall y sen t th e firs t 'valentine' greetin g himself . Whil e i n prison , i t i s believe d that Valentine fel l i n lov e wit h a young gir l — wh o ma y hav e bee n his jailor's daughte r — wh o visite d hi m durin g hi s confinement . Before hi s death , i t i s allege d tha t h e wrot e he r a letter , whic h he signe d 'Fro m you r Valentine, ' a n expressio n tha t i s stil l i n use today . Althoug h th e trut h behin d the Valentin e legend s i s murky, th e storie s certainl y emphasiz e hi s appea l a s a sympathetic, heroic , and , mos t importantly , romanti c figure . It's n o surpris e tha t b y th e Middl e A g e s . Valentin e wa s on e o f the most popula r saint s i n Englan d an d France . Whil e som e believ e that Valentine' s Da y i s celebrate d i n th e middl e o f February t o commemorate th e anniversar y o f Valentine's deat h o r buria l ~ which probabl y occurre d aroun d 27 0 A. D ~ other s clai m tha t the Christia n churc h ma y hav e decide d t o celebrat e Valentine' s feast da y i n th e middl e o f February i n a n effor t t o 'christianize ' celebrations o f the paga n Lupercali a festival . I n ancien t Rome , February wa s th e officia l beginnin g o f spring an d wa s considered a time fo r purification. House s wer e rituall y cleansed b y sweepin g the m ou t an d the n sprinklin g sal t an d a type o f wheat calle d spel t throughou t thei r interiors . Lupercalia, whic h bega n a t th e ide s o f February, Februar y 15 , was a fertilit y festiva l dedicate d t o Faunus . th e Roma n go d o f agriculture, a s wel l a s t o th e Roma n founder s Romulu s an d R e m u s . To begi n th e festival , member s o f the Luperci , a n orde r o f Roman priests , woul d gathe r a t th e sacre d cav e wher e th e infants Romulu s an d Remus , th e founder s o f Rome, wer e believed t o hav e bee n care d fo r b y a she-wol f or lupa . Th e priests woul d the n sacrific e a goat , fo r fertility , an d a dog , fo r purification. Th e boy s the n slice d th e goat' s hid e int o strips , dipped the m i n th e sacrificia l bloo d an d too k to th e streets ,

people t o expres s thei r emotion s i n a time whe n direc t expression o f one's feeling s wa s discouraged . Cheape r postag e rates als o contribute d t o a n increas e i n the popularit y o f sending Valentine' s Da y greetings . American s probabl y bega n exchanging hand-mad e valentine s i n th e earl y 1700s . I n th e 1840s, Esthe r A. Howlan d bega n to sel l th e firs t mass produced valentine s i n America .

Sărbătorirea zilei de Sfântul Valentin îşi are originea, de fapt, într-o tradiţie a Romei antice, respectiv serbările numite Lupercalia, care se organizau pe 15 februarie, în onoarea zeităţilor Juno şi Pan. Pentru că era şi o sărbătoare a fertilităţii, obiceiul cerea tinerelelor necăsătorite să scrie biletele de amor, iar mesajele erau puse într-o urnă din care flăcăii de însurat extrăgeau, la întâmplare, câte unul. Conform obiceiului, participanţii erau obligaţi să o curteze apoi cu precădere pe semnatara mesajului ales, şi de aici, desigur, porneau tot felul de istorioare... Pe de altă parte, ziua Sfântului Valentin se mai numea, cu mult timp în urmă, Ziua Nunţii Păsărilor, aceasta pentru că oamenii credeau că păsările îşi aleg perechea exact în ziua de 14 februarie. Obiceiurile romane au căpătat apoi caracter creştin, iar sărbătoarea fertilităţii a devenit - desigur abuziv - sarcina expresă a Sfântului Valentin. în ziua de 14 februarie, catolicii merg la biserică pentru a rosti rugăciuni, se spovedesc şi aduc sacrificii. Zidarii se roagă pentru a primi binecuvântarea Sfântului, mai ales atunci când lucrează pe schele. în dimineaţa acestei zile se pune apă sfinţită în apa pe care animalele de casă urmează să o bea. Unii fermieri fac ocolul proprietăţii lor încă din zorii zilei, pentru a fi feriţi, chipurile, de hoţi şi de păsările hrăpreţe.

Sur le -tapis de roses et de tendres promesses du 1 A- -février, l'Union Européenne apporte sa contribution par une déclaration d'amour, à sa façon, avec ses mots et surtout son souci pédagogique. Comme une mère, elle nous enseigne ainsi qu'il n'y a pas d'amour sans dispute, et qu'au sujet de ses propos que chacun considère comme une rupture de fiançailles, « il faut donc les prendre, non comme une déclaration de guerre commerciale, mais comme une étape dans la consolidation de nos apports. » Mais entretemps, la fiancée est priée de ne plus porter la bague ! f faut laisser à

l'Europe un art consommé dans la dispute qui mérite bien un joyeux blog :

Premièrement, choisir un sujet sur lequel il n'y a pas de compromis possible. Les chaussettes directement dans le panier à linge sale plutôt que de les laisser traîner n'importe où, c'est le classique; la fiscalité cantonale à l'égard de laquelle la Confédération n'a pas de compétence fait pour l'EU tout aussi bien l'affaire. suite, aligner les reproches, dressés comme un inventaire ni original ni pertinent, c'est toujours efficace pour ruiner toute tentative de ifense. C'est quand l'amoureux à la tête dans les mains qu'il écoute le mieux, c'est bien connu Avoir sous la main des arguments de mauvaise foi du style « la prétendue distinction entre les niveaux fédéral et local est dénuée de ertinence étant donné que, d'une manière générale, toutes les strates ie l'Etat sont concernées. » A quoi servirait-il qu'il ait la tête entre les mains, si l'amoureux osait encore lever les yeux. Encore

ne

pas

manquer

d'affirmer

sa

supériorité

avec

des

phrases

abscondes du style « les avantages fiscaux en faveur des sociétés d'administration mixte ne découlent pas de la nature ou de l'organisation du régime fiscal suisse dans la mesure où ce régime ne distingue pas entre les bénéfices de source suisse et de source étrangère. » Là lever les yeux, c'est prendre le risque de passer pour un sot qui ne comprend même pas les reproches qu'on lui fait. Laisser passer donc, se dire qu'aux roses, il n'y a pas que des épines, mais aussi des pétales, parfois un parfum. Là,

la dispute pourrait s'arrêter, faute de combattant, elle laisse encore un espoir de réconciliation pour les plus habiles.

Mais le risque à ce stade c'est de se laisser emporter par cette victoire trop facile et revenir sur des vieux trucs, du style la belle-mère qui... Parce que là, tout à coup, l'amoureux reprend pied, se défend, riposte et alors, gare à la vaisselle ! Et l'EU n'y a pas manqué, elle a trouvé son vieux truc à elle, un traité de 1972 et peu importe que ni l'esprit ni la lettre ne justifient un quelconque propos sur la fiscalité et les aides directes ou indirectes. Alors, à la St-Valentin, entre &erne et Bruxelles on casse la vaisselle, mais comme le dit si sagement la Commission, ce n'est qu'une étape dans la consolidation de nos rapports. L'amour grandirait-il donc quand ensemble on balaie les débris, se penche avec gentillesse sur la paume blessée, recherche des lunettes pour en ôter quelques fragments si bien instillés qu'ils menacent d'infecter tout le corps ? Si c'est ça l'amour, alors l'amour c'est une subvention directe de Bruxelles à la maison Araldit ! Bruxelles devrait penser à l'interdire !

Trouver l'amour J'aimerai enfin trouver l'amour Parce que tout seul je ne suis plus fort J'aimerai enfin l'avoir mon tour Trouver le fruit de mes efforts Mais... Je suis tout seul mauvais apôtre Mon corps frissonne et n'en finit pas Mort de froid tout comme les autres Tu es la seule qui me réchauffera...

J'aimerai enfin trouver l'amour Enfin avoir ce beau trésor Pouvoir commencer mon séjour Au pays du mieux et des encores Laisser donc le long du discours Tous mes problèmes et mes jamais Pour mieux garder mes beaux toujours Pouvoir enfin penser mes plaies...

Trouver celle que je ne vois pas ••••

Celle la Où te caches-tu donc mon amour ? Ce sera toi mon réconfort Pouvoir enfin te faire la cour T'embrasser, te serrer fort... Pouvoir...

Faire une pause et poser là les problèmes du jour et les cancrelats Une pause pour voir autour de moi Mon amour, n'es-tu toujours pas là ? ...

Trouver celle que je ne vois pas Celle la J'aimerai enfin trouver l'amour...

Balaneanu Melinda Clasa a VI a A

14 février est la Saint-Valentin 's Day. Bien qu'il soit célébré comme un amoureux Vacances aujourd'hui, avec le don de bonbons, les fleurs de la Saint-Valentin ou d'autres dons entre les couples dans l'amour, il est originaire de Rome au 5ème siècle, en hommage à Saint - Saint-Valentin, un évêque catholique. Pendant huit cent ans avant la création de Valentine 's Day, les Romains avaient pratiqué une fête païenne, à la mi Février commémorant les jeunes hommes de 1 ' rite de passage vers le dieu Lupercus. La cérémonie comprenait une loterie dans laquelle les jeunes hommes de tirer les noms des jeunes filles à partir d'une boîte. La jeune fille attribué à chaque jeune homme de cette manière serait son compagnon sexuelle Dans un effort pour en finir

avec le festival païen, le pape Gélase a ordonné un léger changement dans la loterie. Au lieu des noms des jeunes femmes, de la boîte contenant les noms des saints. Les hommes et les femmes ont été autorisés à tirer de la boîte, et le jeu était d'imiter les manières de le saint ils ont attiré au cours du reste de l'année. Inutile de dire que beaucoup de jeunes hommes romains ne sont pas trop satisfait de l'état des changements. au cours des dernières années. Au lieu de la Lupercus dieu païen, l'Eglise attend d'un saint patron de l'amour pour prendre sa place. Ils ont trouvé un choix approprié de la Saint-Valentin, qui, en l'an 270 ont été décapités par l'empereur Claudius. Claudius a déterminé que les hommes mariés fait pauvres soldats. Ainsi, il interdit le mariage de son empire. Mais la SaintValentin se marier en secret de jeunes hommes qui venaient à lui. Quand Claude a découvert Saint-Valentin, il a d'abord essayé de le convertir à paganisme. Mais la SaintValentin inversé de la stratégie, au lieu d'essayer de convertir Claudius. Quand il a échoué, il a été lapidé et décapité. Pendant les jours que la Saint-Valentin a été emprisonné, il est tombé en amour avec la fille aveugle de son geôlier. Son amour pour elle, et sa grande foi, miraculeusement réussi à guérir de ses cécité avant sa mort. Avant il a été conduit à sa mort, il a signé un

message d'adieu pour elle, «De votre Valentin. " La formule a été utilisée à son époque depuis Bien que la loterie pour les femmes avait été interdit par l'église, au milieu des vacances de Février commémoration du St.. Valentine était encore utilisé par les romains les hommes à rechercher l'affection des femmes. Il est devenu une tradition pour les hommes de donner ceux qu'ils admiraient manuscrite messages d'affection, de la Saint-Valentin 's name. La première carte de la SaintValentin est né de cette pratique. La première vraie carte de la SaintValentin a été envoyé en 1415 par Charles, duc d'Orléans à sa femme. Il a été emprisonné dans la Tour de Londres à l'époque. Cupidon, un autre symbole de la fête, se sont associés avec elle, car il était le fils de Vénus, le dieu romain de l'amour et la beauté. Cupidon apparaît souvent sur les cartes de la SaintValentin.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips ofpaper and

placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.

Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen

god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.

The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feaSt. So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this way.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot ofpeople shared my feelings. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in

wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn t going to support that law! f

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies — secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers. One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to

the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine. " I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh — because they know that love can't be beaten!

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was: Good morning to you, valentine; Curl your locks as I do mine —

Two before and three behind. Good morning to you, valentine. In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart! " In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him. Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together — but not too closely!

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry. As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

Valentines Day Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine s bay -- and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine s bay, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than

those

with

wives

and

families, he outlawed

marriage for young men — his

crop

soldiers. Valentine, realizing the

injustice

decree,

continued to perform

defied

Claudius

and

of

marriages for young lovers in

secret.

Valentine's

discovered,

actions

were

potential of

the

When Claudius

ordered that he be put to death,

Other stories suggest

that Valentine may have been

killed

for

attempting

to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl ~ who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine, ' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular

saints in England and France. While some believe that Valentine s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine s death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize ' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To

begin

the

festival,

members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave

where

the

infants

Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for

fertility,

and a

dog,

for

purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine s Day around 498 A.b. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's bay -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, buke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry

V hired a writer named

John Lydgate to compose

a

valentine

note

to

Catherine of Valois. In

Great

Britain,

Valentine's bay began

to be popularly celebrated

around

the

seventeenth century. By

the

eighteenth century, it was

common

and lovers in all social

classes to exchange

small tokens of affection

or handwritten notes.

middle for

of

the

friends

By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's bay greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

Coordonateurs:

prof. CODRUTA LODROMAN Inv. VIORICA RUSU prof. ADELINA CIOFLICA prof. RAMONA POPA

La redaction: Georgiana Ţîr

Rareş Oltean Muntean Alin Pasca Razvan