History of why there is valentine day

 
In modern times, Valentine's day is dominated by pink hearts and arrows by Cupid. Though the origin of this celebration is very much different from the symbols of love.Valentine actually was a Catholic monk who was martyred. Valentine was sentenced to death by the emperor Claudius II for opposing Roman rule against young love and marriage in a relationship because they are sent to war.

At that time, the glory of the Roman Empire was at the center of the threat of collapse due to deterioration of its officials and civil uprising. In the wild frontier territory, the threat comes from the nation's Gaul, the Huns, Slavs, Mongolia and Turkey. They threatened regions Northern Europe and Asia. Apparently the empire so vast and expanding through conquest has claimed many victims, both from the people of the colony and the Romans themselves. Later they were no longer able to control and manage this vast region.To maintain its empire, Claudius II relentless recruiting Roman men considered still able to fight, as the soldiers prepared to depart to the battlefield. The emperor saw soldiers who have bonds of love and marriage is not a good soldier. Bond of love and inner with family and loved ones will only weaken their fighting power. Therefore, he forbade Roman men love relationship, engaged or married.

Valentine, the young monk saw their suffering is not love which endured until this trauma. They secretly gathered and gained spiritual spray of Valentine. The brothers even gave them the sacrament of marriage. Finally, the action is wafted by the Emperor. Valentine was imprisoned. Because he opposed the rule of the emperor and refused to recognize the Roman gods, he was sentenced to death.In prison, he was best friends with a prison officer named Asterius. This prison guard has a daughter who suffers from blindness since birth. Her name is Julia. Valentine tried to cure his blindness. While treating, Valentine taught history and religion. He describes the world of the universe so that Julia can feel the meaning and kebijaksanannya through the lesson.Julia asks, "Did God really hear our prayers?""Yes, my son. He hears every prayer. ""Do you know what I pray for every morning? I pray that I can see. 
 I want to see the world as you've taught me. ""God does what is best for us, if we believe in Him," said Valentine."Oh, sure. I really believe in him, "said Julia steadily.Then they knelt together and prayed.A few weeks later, she still has not healed. Until it was time for Valentine's death. Valentine did not get to say goodbye to Julia, but he wrote the speech with a message to be closer to God. Not to forget the added the words, "Love from your Valentine" (which eventually became a worldwide expression). He died February 14 269. Valentine Praksedes buried in the Church of Rome.The next day, she received a letter. Upon opening the letter, she could see the letters and colors for the first time seen. Julia cured of his blindness.

In 496, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as a day of commemoration St. Valentine.Valentine accidental death date coincides with the celebration of Lupercalia, a celebration in honor of the Roman god of fertility Februata Juno. In this celebration, the Romans did sexual lottery! The trick, they see themselves a name in one container, then take a random name the opposite sex. Name obtained it became his life partner for a year. Then on the next celebration they cast lots again.Apparently the Pope was not comfortable in the way this celebration. For this reason, the church slightly modify this celebration. They include the names of the saints in the box. During the year everyone will imitate the saint was written on the lottery taken. To make the event a little funny, the church also enter the name of Simeon Stylites. The person who took the name of the alias is considered bad luck not lucky, because Simeon spent his life on the pillar, did not move once.Valentine's name then immortalized in this annual festival. In this festival, lovers or married Roman expressing feelings of love and love in the message and reads the letter hand. In mainland Europe is growing tradition by writing the words of love and in the form of cards decorated with hearts and Cupid the god of love to anyone. Or give little attention to the flowers, chocolates and sweets.In modern times, the habit of writing letters by hand is not considered practical. After all, not everyone can weave romantic words. Then came the valentine cards are considered more practical. The first modern Valentine card was sent by Charles nobleman Orleans to his wife, in 1415. When he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The card is still dipameran in the British Museum. In America, Esther Howland was the first to send a valentine card. Valentine cards were first produced commercially in the 1800s.

Unfortunately from day to day, Valentine perayan have lost the true meaning. The spirit of sacrificial love nd St. Valentine was overcome by lust komesialisasi celebration. For that we need to restore the meaning of this celebration, as in 1 John 4:16: "We have known and believed the love of God to us. God is love, and whoever abides in love, he remains in God and God in him "

source