Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day at all (the romantic legend)
Who was Valentine?
Why is Valentine's Day the celebration of lovers? One of the legends says:
VALENTINE'S FIGHT FOR LOVE
We often find ourselves in stressful situations and rob ourselves of the romance that is so within our reach. But imagine that you have turned back time and found yourself in the third century. The gloomy atmosphere into which the people had been plunged by the cruel Emperor Claudius II really did not create any opportunities for love. Young men were called up to the army to fight for him. Fearing that they would not want to follow orders because of their loved ones, he banned weddings and engagements. Many couples lost all hope that they would ever be able to marry, and their despair was crying out for a saviour.
Then came the Christian priest Valentine, who stood up to the tyrant. Secretly, he married young soldiers before they went off to serve. The emperor soon learned of these activities, imprisoned Valentine and sentenced him to death.
There Valentine met the jailer's blind daughter and fell so deeply in love that on the eve of his execution he wrote her a sonnet using ink pressed from violets (he had no ordinary ink). Legend has it that the girl regained her sight thanks to his words. Sadly, their love was short, yet his deeds live on to this day and inspire lovers to show their love for one another.
Because of his sacrifice he was elevated to sainthood and given 14 February as his feast day – the day on which, according to old legends, the birds choose their mates. Since then, Valentine's Day has truly been inspired by love.
Valentine's Day should therefore not be a celebration where, under the pressure of society, we feel stressed and try in every way to find the perfect gift. Valentine's Day should be about spending time together, celebrating love and small gestures that make life more beautiful. Of course, it is true that we should show our love all year round, but the fact is that a timeless rose or any other lovely gift always delights the recipient. Even if it is expected!
Written by: Tjaša Klembas
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