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The origins of Valentine‘s Day Everyone enjoys the tions of Valentine‘s Day, many people know where this happy occasion and its romantic customs originate? Few people realize that the Feb. 14 festivities fall on the feast day of two different Christian martyrs named Valentine. Both priests were executed by the Romans around 270 A.D. for preaching Christianity. Ironically, the customs conâ€" nected with Valentine‘s Day apâ€" pear to have nothing to do with the lives of either saint. There are many stories which have circulated over the years, without much documentation. One legend traces the day back to 270 A.D., when the Roman emperor Claudius !I banned marâ€" nage, reasoning that men unenâ€" cumbered by famijy ties would be more inclined to join the army. Valentine was caught, imprisâ€" oned and ordered executed on Feb. 14. When the day of execution arrived the priest sent a message to a jailer‘s daughter who had befriended him. named Valentine defied the emâ€" peror and married couples in It‘s commonly held that this inspired the tradition of sending JIG STAR &' PUZZLE Watch for the CONTEST 20 coming February 1991 Valentine‘s Day. Historians believe that any roâ€" mantic tieâ€"in comes from an anâ€" cient, Roman festival known as Lupercalia, celebrated every Feb. 15. Known as the festival of the wolf, prmwoulddroumomsdmin anima? skins and dash about the streets, striking all who came within arm‘s reach with a thong. ensure good crops, safety for the flocks and health and fertility for man and beast alike. The ladies didn‘t mind because they thought they would be preâ€" served from sterility. Also on that day, young lovers would exchange tokens of their affection to honor Juno, goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, god of nature. So how does St. Valentine fit into the picture? oh any 8, 20 or 40 Ib. bag of Eukanuba® product. Limit one per customer while quantities last. Offer expires April 30/91. ALL GIFT ITEMS FOR THE PET AND PET LOVER UNIQUE VALENTINE DISPLAY SAVE *5.00 20 orr It is believed that after the spread of Christianity, churchmen tried to give meaning to this pagan ceremony by changing the celeâ€" bration date to Feb. 14 in rememâ€" brance of St. Valentine. Which one? No one seems to _ Through the ages, however, the sentimental meaning of the anâ€" constant and the practice of exâ€" changing romantic messages and gifts unchanged. At social gatherings, many years ago, eligible gentiemen would draw lots bearing young ladies‘ names on the eve of St. Valen tine‘s Day. Each fellow would then wear the mlady’snameonmssleevflor The expression, ‘"he wears his heart on his sleeve," probably comes from this popular practice. ts N Dogs Gift Boutique Belmont Village 728 Belmont Ave. W. Kitchener * 578â€"7387 MarerLoo Inn. CVA hfi dinieiintiniesc h oAfi ce + 2e x ortalc i TOP 300 INC * 42 Ontario Street N., Kitchener. Dial 745â€"1128 NORTH AMERICA * * 135 Union Street E., Waterloo. Dial 745â€"8411 \x:n-v-nw-r * 619 King Street W. (Sympathy) Dial 744â€"9471 “m 475 King Street N., Waterloo, Ont. ¢ SWEETHEART PACKAGE ‘@ md 1 â€" EnTeR Tafii® _ \y [ 7‘ E’ «f ONE *M. ‘Q Forgotten Valentine‘s? Your Extra Touch Florist *120°° (double occupancy) ® 1 Night Accommodation ®# Lobster Dinner for Two ®# Taxes & Gratuities Inc. Or the FTD Flower Basket Bouquet. From $30.00 It‘s never too soon to send one. Just call or visit us today to send the FTD® Hearts & & q Flowers ® Bouquet. "az i) From $30.00 Valentines Dinner â€" 5 till 10 pm February 14th & 15th LOBSTER DINNER $ 1 695 per person Just A Reminder: woumesinlind Two Whole Lobsters with full course dinner including dessert & coffee A% (519) 884â€"0220