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Brief History Of Valentine's Day Lupercalia We may owe our observance of Valentine's Day to the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, a festival of eroticism that honored Juno Februata, the goddess of "feverish" (febris) love. Annually, on the ides of February, love notes would be drawn to partner men and women for feasting and sexual game playing. Early Christians Christians
frowned on these goings-on. In an attempt to curb the erotic festivities, the
Christian clergy encouraged celebrants to substitute the names of saints. Then,
for the next twelve months, participants were to emulate the ideals represented
by the particular saint they'd chosen. Not too surprisingly, this prudish version
of Lupercalia proved unpopular, and died a quick death. |
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