Millions of people indulge their romance-novel fantasies on Valentine’s Day—a time set aside nationally to show love to your sweetheart.
But as a Christian, do you know that what Americans view as a holiday to exchange gifts like chocolate, teddy bears and jewelry is believed by some historians to have pagan origins?
If you want to really know where Valentine’s Day originated, lots of scholars who study history will point you to an ancient festival called Lupercalia, where folks got rowdy and drunk on wine as part
of a fertility ritual. Roman men and women coupled up during the booze and sex-filled fiasco.
Lupercalia, filled with all kinds of lewdness and nudity, was celebrated for centuries in mid- February. But as the Roman Empire evolved, it became less pagan and more Christian. So, the celebration was switched up to honor St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. You should know, however, that there isn't very much reliable information about the life of St. Valentine.
While not everyone agrees on the origins of Valentine's Day, according Noel Lenski, a Yale historian, Pope Gelasius made it a Christian holiday in the fifth century.
Wherever it comes from, today, many people simply see it as a day of love.
Corporations, on the other hand, view it as a day to make big money!
The National Retail Federation said Americans were expected to spend $18.2 billion, which averages out to about $136.57 per person. That's a whole lot of cash to shell out on candy, cards, flowers and romantic dinners.
Whether or not you choose to celebrate V-Day is entirely up to you. If you do decide to participate, just make sure you don't break the bank doing so.
But as a Christian, do you know that what Americans view as a holiday to exchange gifts like chocolate, teddy bears and jewelry is believed by some historians to have pagan origins?
If you want to really know where Valentine’s Day originated, lots of scholars who study history will point you to an ancient festival called Lupercalia, where folks got rowdy and drunk on wine as part
of a fertility ritual. Roman men and women coupled up during the booze and sex-filled fiasco.
Lupercalia, filled with all kinds of lewdness and nudity, was celebrated for centuries in mid- February. But as the Roman Empire evolved, it became less pagan and more Christian. So, the celebration was switched up to honor St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. You should know, however, that there isn't very much reliable information about the life of St. Valentine.
While not everyone agrees on the origins of Valentine's Day, according Noel Lenski, a Yale historian, Pope Gelasius made it a Christian holiday in the fifth century.
Wherever it comes from, today, many people simply see it as a day of love.
Corporations, on the other hand, view it as a day to make big money!
The National Retail Federation said Americans were expected to spend $18.2 billion, which averages out to about $136.57 per person. That's a whole lot of cash to shell out on candy, cards, flowers and romantic dinners.
Whether or not you choose to celebrate V-Day is entirely up to you. If you do decide to participate, just make sure you don't break the bank doing so.
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