02-10-2005, 09:15 AM
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#1
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~Free Will~
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Lost in your eyes...
Posts: 6,509
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The History of Valentine's 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 Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, 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 of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, 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.
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~ A man's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink~
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02-10-2005, 01:22 PM
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#2
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Metal Missionary
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,856
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Neat!
Thanks, Mandy.
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02-10-2005, 01:52 PM
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#3
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101 Guru
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,847
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I thought he was a bloke with a 13" pork sword  who went around the town shouting "Brace yourself Dr Love is about to operate"??
Perhaps im wrong i dont know 
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Oh me lads ya shudda seenaz gannin !!!!!
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02-10-2005, 01:53 PM
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#4
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101 Guru
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,847
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I thought he was a bloke with a 13" pork sword who went around the town shouting "Brace yourself Dr Love is about to operate"??
Perhaps im wrong i dont know
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Oh me lads ya shudda seenaz gannin !!!!!
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02-10-2005, 02:15 PM
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#5
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Napoleon Dynamite
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Land of Cement Shoes
Posts: 4,664
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Stop repeating yourself, ya stuttering fool 
Very interesting, Rain. Cool read. |
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02-10-2005, 11:34 PM
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#6
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101 Guru
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,847
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PARDON !!?? PARDON!!??
Quote:
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Originally Posted by stingx
Stop repeating yourself, ya stuttering fool
Very interesting, Rain. Cool read. |
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Oh me lads ya shudda seenaz gannin !!!!!
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02-11-2005, 02:37 PM
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#7
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PinkyAppleBuns
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,009
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Wow that is soo cool, I have always wondered about Valentine, thanks for posting that my Mandy Love!! 
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The Whatchamacallit is a superior candy bar :rock:
Shipwreck the sun, I'm on your side
An army of one, onward we'll ride
And whisper your songs, birds to the air
We'll bury all of our burdens there--Audioslave "Heaven's Dead"
That shit right here is soo good, it will make you go home and slap yo momma--Mandy Love on some southern cooking
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