ST. VALENTINE’S DAY (2)

         St. Valentine’s Day has roots in several different legends. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roman god of Love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with a bow and arrow.

          Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was be­headed. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jai­ler’s daughter a farewell letter signing it, «From Your Valen­tine».

          Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, wrote notes from his jail cell to children and friends who missed him.

           February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honour of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities.

       St. Valentine’s Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send «valentines», a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine wrote from jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heart­felt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, va­lentines can be anonymous.

         Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines are created by cutting hearts out of co­loured paper. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In elementary schools, children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the tea­chers open the box and distribute the valentines to each stu­dent. After the students read their valentines, they have a small party with refreshments.

You can write a short rhyme inside the heart:

Roses are red.

Violets are blue,

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you!

          Or you can buy valentines with messages in them. If you are shy, you can sign it, «Your Secret Admirer».

QUESTIONS:

1. What is one of the first popular symbols of St. Valen­tine’s Day?

2. What did the Roman emperors demand?

3. Why had Valentine been thrown in prison?

4. What does another legend tell us?

5. What do most people send on this day?

VOCABULARY:

image — образ, изображение

to execute — казнить

to behead — обезглавливать

jail — тюрьма

to distribute — раздавать

symbol — символ