St. Valentine's Day

Every February, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. 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, is a mix of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

Many historians, however, seem to trace Valentine’s Day to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia. This was held on February 15 to honor Faunus, the god of animal life, hunting, herding, the patron of husbandry, and the guardian of the secret lore of nature. After Christianity spread, some think this pagan festival eventually became Valentine's Day.

Other experts connect Valentine's Day with two saints of the early Christian church. According to one story, St. Valentine's was a priest who would marry young couples against the orders of the Roman Emperor Claudius II, who believed that single young men made better soldiers. This story goes back to about A.D. 200.

Some experts state that St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician. He was put into prison by roman authorities for his teaching and was beheaded on February 14 in the third century A.D. According to the legend he performed a miracle – he cured the blindness of his jailer’s daughter. Before the execution, he wrote her a letter signed “From Your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today.

There also was another St. Valentine who was a good friend to children. Because he would not worship the gods decreed by the Roman emperor, he was put in prison. While he was imprisoned, the children that he had befriended missed him and brought him loving notes. Many of the notes expressed the thought that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" . He was supposedly executed on February 14 in A.D. 270.

Whatever the origin, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many parts of the world today and is a holiday for both young and old. This day became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending cards, poems and simple gifts such as toys and flowers.

The rose and several other flowers say I love you to your special Valentine. Below are symbolic meanings for several varieties of flowers:
Flowers Talk

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

1477
Written valentines began about 1400. The oldest one we know of was made in1415. A Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, was captured by the English in a battle. He was put in prison in the Tower of London. There he wrote valentine poems. Many of them were saved and can be seen today in the British Museum.

The customs of sending valentine cards started in Europe in the 1700s. Commercial valentines were first made in the early 1800s. Kate Greenaway, a British artist, was one of the leading makers of valentines. Her valentines are known for her drawing of little children and the varied shades of blues and greens that she favored.
1910

Valentine Traditions
Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine -
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.
In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant "You unlock my heart!"
In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

Valentine Traditions
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!
Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry. As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

Another tradition of St. Valentine’s Day is making special cakes.

Sweetheart Cookies
Make these yummy treats
for your Valentine.
You'll need:
1/3 cup of butter
1 cup of honey
2.3 cup of oats
1/3 cup of nonfat dry milk
4 teaspoons of water
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1. Mix together the butter and honey.
2. Add the oats, dry milk, and water. Mix well.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. The dough should be soft.
4. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough. It should be 1/5 - inch thick.
5. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or cut out the cook­ies in heart shapes.
6. Bake the cookies for 10-15 minutes in 325° oven.

A long time ago, people believed that all the emotions were found in the heart. In later years, they thought only the emotion of love was connected with the heart. The heart is still a symbol of love, and it is also a symbol of Valentine’s Day.
Red Heart
There’re many symbols of Valentine’s Day.

The rose was the flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red is a color that stands for strong feelings. This is why the red rose is a flower of love.
Red Rose

Ribbons go back to the days when ladies gave ribbons to their favorite knights when they went to war.
Ribbons

Lace comes from a latin word, it means “to catch”. Lace was supposed to catch the heart of a loved one. Hundreds of years ago, women carried lace handkerchiefs. If a woman dropped her handkerchief, a man nearby might pick it up and return it to her. Sometimes she might drop her lace handkerchief on purpose to encourage romance. Soon people thought of romance when they thought of lace. They began using paper lace to decorate chocolate boxes and Valentines cards.
Lace

Years ago, when a man proposed marriage to a woman, he “asked for her hand”. The hand became a symbol of marriage and love. Soon gloves also became a symbol of love.
Gloves

In some countries, men and women exchange rings when they become engaged or marry. Valentine’s Day is a popular day for giving an engagement ring. An engagement ring usually has a stone or jewel set in it.
Rings

The True-Love ot Endless-Love Knot was usually a hand-draw, hand-coloured maze. It was a series of winding and interlacing loops with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of endless love. They aren’t easy to make? And those who received them spent a long time figuring them out.
Love Knot
This true love knot is from me.
My love is endless you can see.
Choose me valentine please do.
My heart is filled with love for you!

Lovebirds are colorful parrots found in Africa. Most have red bills. They are called love birds because they sit closely together in pairs.
Doves were thought to be favorite birds of Venus. They remain with the same mates all their lives. The males and females both care for their babies. These birds are symbols of loyalty and love. They are also symbols of Valentine’s Day.
Lovebirds and Doves

Lovers who affectionally sign “XXX”s to Valentine cards and letters are usually unware that the custom goes back to the early Christian era, when a cross mark, or “X”, conveyed the force of a sworn oath. It also was the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Xristos. People kissed a cross to emphasize their compete sincerity in an accord, as a Bible was frequently kissed when an oath was sworn upon it.It was this practice of kissing the “X” that led to its becoming a symbol of a kiss.
XXX

One of the most famous valentine symbol is Cupid. He is a son of Venus, goddess of love. He could cause people to fall in love by piercing them with one of his magic arrows.
Cupid

Love poems
‘My Valentine”
I have a little valentine
That someone sent to me
It’s pink & white
And red & blue,
And pretty as can be.
Forget – me – nots are on the edge,
And tiny roses, too, and
Such a lovely piece of lace,
The very palest blue.
And in the centre there is a heart.
As red as red can be!
And on it’s written
All in gold, “To you,
With Love, From Me.”
by Mary Catherine Parsons.
'Let Me Call You Sweetheart'
Let me call you sweetheart,
I'm in love with you.
Let me hear you whisper
That you love me too.
Keep the love light glowing
In your eyes so true.
Let me call you sweetheart,
I'm in love with you.

Love is blind.
Любовь слепа.
Love laughs at locks myths.
Любовь не замок не закроешь.
Love will find a way.
Любовь найдёт себе дорогу.
Love me little, love me long.
Люби меня не сильно, только долго.
Love me, love my dog.
Любишь меня, люби мою собаку.
Love of money is the root of all evil.
Сребролюбие - корень всех зол.
All is fair in love and war.
В любви и на войне всё дозволено.
It is love mat makes the word go round.
Любовь движет миром.
Love phrases

Sure as grape on the vine, February the 14th day
So sure you are my Valentine – It’s Valentine, they say,
The rose is red, the violet s blue, I chose you from among the rest,
Lilies are fair and so are you! The reason is I love you best!
The sky is high, the sea are deep, Time of remembrance,
Thinking of you I cannot sleep. Of lace and bright flowers…
If you love me like I love you How dear to the heart
Nothing but death will part us too. Are those Valentine hours!
You brightened my life Filled this card with friendly thoughts
Turning heart from stone And mailed it out your way
And I will always love you Along with special wishes for an extra
For now I’ll never be alone. - happy day!
Best wishes today, on St. Valentine’s Day – happiness always!
Wishes

Match words with similar meaning
romance a. a boyfriend or a girlfriend
affection b. love
humorous c. tenderness, warm feelings
decorate d. make attractive
merchant e. wife or husband
spouse f. emotions
feelings g. funny
companion h. celebration
festival i. storekeeper
sweetheart j. friend
romance b. love
affection c. tenderness, warm feelings
humorous g. funny
decorate d. make attractive
merchant i. storekeeper
spouse e. wife or husband
feelings f. emotions
companion j. friend
festival h. celebration
sweetheart a. a boyfriend or a girlfriend

Cross out the phrases or words that don't belong
Humorous a. serious b. funny c. comic
Affection a. a hug b. a kiss c. anger
Merchant a. customer b. seller c. florist
Feelings a. love b. homework c. happiness
Companion a. a person b. a friend c. a car
Festival a. a party b. a funeral c. a parade
Sweetheart a. a boy friend b. enemy c. wife
Spouse a. husband b. parent c. wife
Decorationsa. paper heats b. flowers c. dresses
Romance a. relationship b. affair c. fight
Humorous a. serious b. funny c. comic
Affection a. a hug b. a kiss c. anger
Merchant a. customer b. seller c. florist
Feelings a. love b. homework c. happiness
Companion a. a person b. a friend c. a car
Festival a. a party b. a funeral c. a parade
Sweetheart a. a boy friend b. enemy c. wife
Spouse a. husband b. parent c. wife
Decorationsa. paper heats b. flowers c. dresses
Romance a. relationship b. affair c. fight

Select the word that the best completes the sentence
1. On the classroom walls there are (celebrations, decorations, festivals).
2. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and (romance, decorations, parents).
3. Valentines cards have messages of (affection, humorous, share).
4. It is traditional to send flowers to (celebrate, spouses, dedicate)
on Valentine's Day.
5. On this day people share feelings of affection with friends, family and
(flowers, affection, companions).
6. (Sweethearts, spouses, merchants) decorate their stores
with red hearts and cupids on Valentine's day.
7. This is a day to celebrate (feelings, humorous, decorations)
of friendship and love.
8. Some Valentine cards are funny; they have (loving, humorous, romance)
messages.
9. Lupercalia was an ancient Roman (sharing, god, festival).
10. Many people call people they love (sweetheart, romance, spouse).
1. On the classroom walls there are (celebrations, decorations, festivals).
2. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and (romance, decorations, parents).
3. Valentines cards have messages of (affection, humorous, share).
4. It is traditional to send flowers to (celebrate, spouses, dedicate)
on Valentine's Day.
5. On this day people share feelings of affection with friends, family and
(flowers, affection, companions).
6. (Sweethearts, spouses, merchants) decorate their stores
with red hearts and cupids on Valentine's day.
7. This is a day to celebrate (feelings, humorous, decorations)
of friendship and love.
8. Some Valentine cards are funny; they have (loving, humorous, romance)
messages.
9. Lupercalia was an ancient Roman (sharing, god, festival).
10. Many people call people they love (sweetheart, romance, spouse).

Match in the blanks with appropriate words
(change into the past tense as needed)
1. Romeo and Juliet loved each other very much;
but their parents didn't know it. They had a secret …
2. The young man got married. Now he was a …
3. Mate likes John very much. She has good …toward him.
4. The grandmother asked her grandchild to go with her on the trip
to Washington. She asked her to be her traveling …
5. The high-school students decided to have a large party to celebrate
the spring. It was a beautiful …
6. Martin told Helene: "I have warm feelings for you."
He feels … for her.
7. Everybody laughed when they heard the story. It was very …
8. The couple was very much in love. They called each other …
9. The owners of the stores formed a group association.
It is a group of …
1. Romeo and Juliet loved each other very much;
but their parents didn't know it. They had a secret romance.
2. The young man got married. Now he was a spouse.
3. Mate likes John very much. She has good feelings toward him.
4. The grandmother asked her grandchild to go with her on the trip
to Washington. She asked her to be her traveling companion.
5. The high-school students decided to have a large party to celebrate
the spring. It was a beautiful festival.
6. Martin told Helene: "I have warm feelings for you."
He feels affection for her.
7. Everybody laughed when they heard the story. It was very humorous.
8. The couple was very much in love. They called each other sweetheart.
9. The owners of the stores formed a group association.
It is a group of merchants.

Select the correct word form to complete each sentence
Noun - romance, festival, humor, decoration, affection.
Adjective - romantic, festive, humorous, decorated, affectionate.
1. It is a (romance, romantic) poem.
2. The Spring party was a (festival, festive) occasion.
3. The TV comedy was full of (humor, humorous).
4. The Christmas tree was (decorated, decoration) with colored lights.
5. He wrote a message of (affection, affectionate).
Noun - romance, festival, humor, decoration, affection.
Adjective - romantic, festive, humorous, decorated, affectionate.
1. It is a romantic poem.
2. The Spring party was a festive occasion.
3. The TV comedy was full of humor.
4. The Christmas tree was decorated with colored lights.
5. He wrote a message of affection.

Match the famous couples
1. Carmen a. Bathsheba
2. Adam b. Josephine
3. Lady Di c. Jane
4. Napoleon d. Eve
5. David e. Prince Charles
6. John Lennon f. Don Jose
7. Miss Piggy g. Yoko
8. Tarzan h. Kermit the Frog
9. Grace Kelly i. Prince Rainier
10. Rhett Butler j. Orpheus
11. Cho-Cho-San k. Scarlet O'Hara
12. Sophia Loren l. Captain Pinkerton
13. Eurydice m. Carlo Ponti
1. Carmen f. Don Jose
2. Adam d. Eve
3. Lady Di e. Prince Charles
4. Napoleon b. Josephine
5. David a. Bathsheba
6. John Lennon g. Yoko
7. Miss Piggy h. Kermit the Frog
8. Tarzan c. Jane
9. Grace Kelly i. Prince Rainier
10. Rhett Butler k. Scarlet O'Hara
11. Cho-Cho-San l. Captain Pinkerton
12. Sophia Loren m. Carlo Ponti
13. Eurydice j. Orpheus

What is the first name for Valentine’s Day? (Lupercalia. The Romans called it so).
Who wrote the Valentine poems on the wall of the Tower of London? (French Duke Charles, duke of Orleans was captured by the English in a battle and put into prison. He was put in the Tower of London. There he wrote Valentine poems for his wife in 1413 year).
What is to get a red mitten on Valentine’s Day? (It means, that his or her girl or boy doesn’t Like him or her).
What is the name of the first English actress who began to make and sell the first Valentines in England? (Kate Greenaway in the 18th century).
When was St. Valentine executed? (On February 14, 269A.D.).
Who and when set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine? (In 496A.D. Pope Gelasins set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine).
When were commercial Valentine’s introduced? (In 1797 in G.B. and in 1870 in America).
Who was the first American publisher of Valentines? (The first American publisher of Valentines was printer and artist Esther Howland).
In what way did the young people celebrate the Feast of Lupercalia? (One of the customs of the young people was name drawing or love lottery).
When did people all are Europe begin to celebrate St. Valentines’ Day as a holiday of love? (By 1400 people all over Europe celebrated this day as a holiday of love).
Answer the questions

VALENTINE CONVERSATIONS
WORLD SCRAMBLE

VALENTINE CONVERSATIONS
WORLD SCRAMBLE