The Hostage of Valentine
Greetings All,
Its time once again for that hostage crisis known as "Valentine's Day." This is where Hallmark, and the fine folks at local eating establishments conspire to make sure that you spend as much as possible, on a day that they dictate, to prove your affections (for which buying dinner and some vegetation any other time apparently does not convey).
First - A little history: Valentine's Day.
Like most things dealing with Saints, Christianity or the early Church, the lore of Valentine's Day is steeped deep in lore -confusing, often pagan and inconsistent lore.
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.
The prevailing theory:
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.
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.
So - that's the past - What about the present(s)?
Start with a page tradition, incorporate some Roman elements, and then import the whole thing into the Christian Church - and what do you get? Very expensive roses, and Prix Fixe menus at restaurants and the overconsumption of scotchmallows.
I have no issue with expressing one's affections. What I DO have an issue with is being told:
1. There is a specific day you have to do it;
2. Somehow, that food, when consumed in one of three convenient seating schedules, at a fixed price, with fixed selections, somehow conveys MORE affection, than if you went there any other day;
3. That flowers solve everything (ok, well... here, the tradition is correct. But guys, if you're reading this - know - You should always pick random intervals to send flowers, not on "assigned" days. You get MUCH better results).
What we NEED to do is randomly celebrate holidays. http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Random_20Holiday_20Generator#1096876632
Or, just pick the day you want to do something, and find out the holiday from that day:
http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/
Now, there ARE some traditions associated with this holiday that I DO support (see: Lingerie) but that's a post for another day.
Its time once again for that hostage crisis known as "Valentine's Day." This is where Hallmark, and the fine folks at local eating establishments conspire to make sure that you spend as much as possible, on a day that they dictate, to prove your affections (for which buying dinner and some vegetation any other time apparently does not convey).
First - A little history: Valentine's Day.
Like most things dealing with Saints, Christianity or the early Church, the lore of Valentine's Day is steeped deep in lore -confusing, often pagan and inconsistent lore.
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.
The prevailing theory:
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.
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.
So - that's the past - What about the present(s)?
Start with a page tradition, incorporate some Roman elements, and then import the whole thing into the Christian Church - and what do you get? Very expensive roses, and Prix Fixe menus at restaurants and the overconsumption of scotchmallows.
I have no issue with expressing one's affections. What I DO have an issue with is being told:
1. There is a specific day you have to do it;
2. Somehow, that food, when consumed in one of three convenient seating schedules, at a fixed price, with fixed selections, somehow conveys MORE affection, than if you went there any other day;
3. That flowers solve everything (ok, well... here, the tradition is correct. But guys, if you're reading this - know - You should always pick random intervals to send flowers, not on "assigned" days. You get MUCH better results).
What we NEED to do is randomly celebrate holidays. http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Random_20Holiday_20Generator#1096876632
Or, just pick the day you want to do something, and find out the holiday from that day:
http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/
Now, there ARE some traditions associated with this holiday that I DO support (see: Lingerie) but that's a post for another day.
posted by Mitch at 10:49 AM
1 Comments:
I blame the jews.
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