Valentine's Day: the history of the holiday
Roman Catholics have 16 Saint Valentines and two Saint Valentines. In short, three of them were Roman martyrs: one was a minor priest and physician in Rome, the second was a bishop in Terna (Italy), the third lived in Egypt around the 100-153rd season. The latter was one of the candidates for the position of post-Roman bishop (i.e., Pope of Rome) and in his sermons extolled the values of marriage as the embodiment of Christian love.

According to one legend, the Christian priest Valentin lived during the time of Emperor Claudius II of Gotha and, in addition to his main goals, actively worked in science and medicine. The emperor forbade soldiers to marry so that it would not interfere with their war, and Valentine continued to secretly marry everyone. For this he was arrested and committed to prison. After his arrest, Valentine, according to legend, healed the blind adopted daughter who was guarding his officer, and then attacked Christianity against their entire family. Having learned about this, the emperor ordered Valentine's head to be cut off, which happened on February 14. According to legend, the executed Valentine managed to write a letter to the girl whom he had healed and managed to fall in love with her, and to support him “From your Valentine.”

In the ministry of the Roman Catholic Holy Church, Valentine is officially considered not the patron of lovers, but the patron of people suffering from nervous diseases: icons often depict Valentine in the image of a priest or bishop, healing a young man from epilepsy.

Therefore, one of the most logical reasons for the emergence of the holiday - Valentine's Day in Christian times replaced the pagan holiday Lupercalia (in honor of the god Fauns, according to another version, in honor of the goddess of marriage, the Juno family). 496, Pope Gelasius banned the celebration of the language holiday Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15, and declared February 14 Valentine's Day. One way or another, in all cultures and traditions this day was associated with love and warm feelings.
Valentine's Day in Ukraine
Recently, information has spread that the relics of St. Valentine are kept in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sambir (Lviv region). The duration of the relic is confirmed by a document of the Pope from 1759. Also, the name of St. Valentine is mentioned in the Starokievskaya legend, where ordinary Kiev residents appear, whom, according to legend, St. Olga and St. Valentine helped to preserve and sanctify love.

In the modern world, as in Ukraine, the holiday is becoming increasingly popular, and with it the tradition of giving something to your loved one on this day. Apart from gifts, the mainstay is sending valentines. Valentine is a card, usually in the shape of a heart, that is usually given to loved ones on Valentine's Day. The traditional color of a Valentine's card is red or pink, symbolizing love and devotion. Currently, Valentine's Day is purely romantic. In fact, this is a very common date for marriage and engagement.