Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
The Roman Catholic Church's transformation of Lupercalia into Valentine's Day was a deliberate act of religious syncretism. The Roman church, in its efforts to convert pagans while maintaining cultural continuity, systematically reinterpreted many pagan festivals through a Christian lens. Valentine's Day as a Commercial Holiday . Valentine's Day is no longer part of the official liturgical calendar of any Christian church; it was dropped from the Catholic calendar in 1969. Its not a feast, a celebration, or a memorial of any martyrs. Valentine's Day is not regarded as a particularly Pagan holiday, although some of the ideas and practices around it have their roots in Paganism. In this guest post on the Agora, James The holiday’s origins likely predate the venerated saint. The date of St. Valentine’s execution, the day after the February full moon, might be the real connection with affection. As fans of Shakespeare know, the Idus or “Ides” of each month on the ancient Roman calendar was the day of the full moon. Lupercalia was an ancient pagan festival held each year in Rome on February 15. Although Valentine’s Day shares its name with a martyred Christian saint, some historians believe the holiday is When Valentine's Day looms on the horizon, many people start thinking about love. Did you know that the modern Valentine's Day, although named for a martyred saint, actually has its roots in an early Pagan custom? Let's take a look at how Valentine's Day evolved from a Roman festival into the marketing behemoth that it is today. Valentine’s Day is the Modern equivalent of Lupercalia, even though much of the symbolism of the former has been lost over time, subsumed into the latter’s imagery of hearts, red, white and pink. Those colors, and the same themes, come from Lupercalia; how can we, as Modern Pagans, living in a Modern World, embrace this holiday? Every year on February 14, the world marks Valentine’s Day. Millions send messages and gifts of love to the people most important in their lives. You’d be forgiven for thinking the fourteenth has its roots in the Christian faith, with the day seemingly named after Saint Valentine, a priest who lived during the third century AD. Pope declared Feb. 14 as Valentine's Day in 5th Century Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and affection, is marked by the exchange of cards, chocolates, and flowers. However, beneath its modern commercial veneer lies an ancient pagan history, rich and complex, woven through the tapestry of time. This post delves into the pagan roots of Valentine's Day, exploring how an In our fast-paced modern culture, where love is celebrated with ubiquitous red hearts, Cupid’s arrows, and a billion-dollar industry of flowers and chocolates, it is imperative for us as Christians to pause and critically examine the origins and evolution of this day. Valentine's Day Today: A Soft Echo of Pagan Roots We see Valentine's Day as a time for sentimental notes, plush teddy bears, and sweet tokens of love. We wear pink or red sweaters and expect romantic gestures from partners, or at least from the greeting card aisle at the store. History also records that around A.D. 500 Pope Gelasius established St. Valentine’s Day in an attempt to convert this pagan Roman fertility festival into a Christian holiday, thus retaining its attractions and making it easier for pagan people to accept Christianity. Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for centuries and is widely recognized as a special day for expressing love. But is it really a pagan tradition? This article will explore the history of the holiday, its possible pagan origins, and how it has changed over the years. History of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February Valentine Week 2025 List: Complete Calendar with Dates, Today is Chocolate Day! Valentine’s Week celebrates love in various forms, from romantic relationships to friendships and familial bonds. Lupercalia is an old Pagan festival coming from Ancient Rome. It takes place on February 15th and it began as a way to honor the founding of Rome. Valentine's Day Historical Crossroads: Valentine’s Day and Lupercalia. While Valentine’s Day is widely recognized as a celebration of love in modern times, its historical roots are far more intricate and, believe it or not, a bit wilder. The mid-February timing of Valentine’s Day intriguingly aligns with the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special at Actor's Theatre Feb. 14th | 316 W Main St Experience the magic of Valentine's Day like never before with a live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Get your tickets now for this unique Candlelight concert, honoring Coldplay. The ancient Roman festival known as Lupercalia, held between February 13th and 15th, served as an important precursor to Valentine's Day.This pagan festival was marked by extravagant rituals and celebrations honoring fertility and the coming of spring. Purim = Valentine’s Day (Jewish 13th Adar = “Christian” 13th/14th February) but this so-called “Christian” feast is actually the pagan Feast of Dead Ancestors, the “Purification” of the Parentalia, changed later into the Amburbalia or Search of the goddess Ceres for Cora.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |