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When did St. Valentine's Day become a romantic holiday?In: Valentines Day |
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Like so many Christian holidays, Valentine's Day has pagan origins. The Romans would hold a love lottery in which young men would draw an eligible woman's name and court her for the coming year, trusting that it was the will of the god of love. Later, when Rome became Christian, the Church substituted St. Valentine for the god of love and in the lottery people drew the names of saints whom they would they try to emulate for the coming year. Of course, this wasn't nearly as much fun as the old love lottery so the festival reverted to its former status as a day for lovers. St. Valentine was a Christian priest who performed marriages of soldiers in defiance of an imperial edict (the emperor didn't want his troops saddled with wives and kids for fear it would distract them from the business of warfare.)
First answer by George Parker. Last edit by George Parker. Contributor trust: 106 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 18 [recommend question]
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