The History, Traditions and Greek version of Valentine’s Day
This romantic article is all about finding out the origins of Valentine’s Day. Therefore, we want you to find out what is the Greek version of this sensual holiday, however, we also want to explore the history of Saint Valentine along with modern-day traditions that we do to celebrate Valentine’s Day today.
The Greek Version of Valentine’s Day
The identification of the celebration of Saint Valentine began in late medieval England, with pagan and Christian references. Nevertheless, Saint Valentine is not mentioned anywhere in the Orthodox calendar and, of course, the Orthodox Church never acknowledged it. «This saint is non-existent for us. «It is a fiction of western origin,» say people from the Church. In turn, the Catholic Church in its revision of its general celebration in 1969 downgraded Valentine’s Day to a local holiday because it knew almost nothing about his life except that he was buried in Via Flaminia, Rome, on February 14.
However, the foreign saint began to enter the lives of Greeks for good as the day of lovers in the late ’70s on the initiative of florists. The representatives of the Church suggested the Greeks-in-love honor and celebrate saints that exist in the Orthodox celebration.
Stone pointer at the branch to Agios Yakinthos in Crete Photo Credit: Zde
Celebrating Love on July 3rd
In 1994, the then spokesman of the Holy Synod, Giannis Hatzifotis, proposed that the feast of Saint Hyacinth, which is celebrated on July 3, be established as Valentine’s Day. Hyacinth originated in Caesarea, Cappadocia, and served the Roman emperor Trajan’s Column. A man of the emperor’s trust, Hyacinth converted to Christianity, provoking the wrath of Trajan. Trajan imprisoned him without giving him any food unless he was to eat the pagan sacrifices. Hyacinth spent forty days like this, without touching them. On the 41st, however, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord, at the age of 20.
The establishment of the 3rd of July as a day of love and poetry was led by the well-known songwriter from Anogia, Crete, Loudovikos of Anogia, who together with people of spirit and letters proceeded to build a temple in a beautiful location, at an altitude of 1,200 meters on Psiloritis mountain. In front of this small church, which is the only one in Greece dedicated to the Saint, every summer events are held under the name Hyacinthia.
There is another suggestion, to celebrate as patrons of lovers on February 14 the ingenious Odysseus and his faithful Penelope.
Saint Valentine Photo Credit: www.brockbuilt.com
But who was this famous Saint Valentine and how did we get to celebrate him?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different Saints by the name of Valentine all of whom had testified.
According to a legend, Valentine was a priest who lived in the third century AD. When Emperor Claudius II decided that all unmarried men were better soldiers than those with husbands and families, he forbade young men to marry. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the relevant decree, disobeyed Claudius and continued to secretly bring young couples into society. At some point, however, Claudius ordered his execution, as he found out about his actions.
Another legend wants Valentine to die because he helped Christians escape from prison and the ensuing torture. Although the true story of Valentine is still very mysterious, all the stories and versions converge on the image of a nice, heroic, and most importantly romantic figure.
During the Middle Ages, Valentine would become one of the most important Saints in Britain and France. Although some argue that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in mid-February because he died or was buried that day around 270 AD, there is evidence that the Church decided to strategically set the date to coincide with Lupercalia, the Roman feast day. in honor of the fertility god Lupercus, in an attempt to convert pagans.
Lupercalia survived the first years of Christianity until they were banned at the end of the 5th century when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as Valentine’s Day. It took many years, however, for the feast to be definitively and irrevocably associated with love, with the first written references appearing after 1400.
Valentine’s Day Chocolates
The Modern-Day Valentine Traditions
We give roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped cards. But do you know why these traditions became customary for Valentine’s Day? Find out below.
Why do we consider Roses to be Valentine’s flowers?
As we said above, Valentine’s life is accompanied by various legends, who want him as the protector of lovers. The Saint had the reputation of a peacemaker. One day while growing roses in his garden, heard a couple fighting. This shocked him! So he cut a rose, went out on the street, approached the couple, and asked them to listen to him. They were very obedient and listened to what he had to say. The Saint, after offering them the rose, blessed them. Immediately love returned and now roses are the flower of lovers.
Why do we wear Red on Valentine’s Day?
Red is the color of passion and sexuality. A study by psychologists at the University of Rochester found that men found women who wore red or stood in front of a red background more attractive and sexually more desirable than women who wore or stood in front of different colors. But the same goes for women when they see a man having a red touch on his outfit. The color red also symbolizes confidence, spontaneity, and determination.
Why do we associate Chocolate with Valentine’s Day?
In Victorian times, seduction and chocolate were a pair. Seemingly the young men of the 19th century knew that their safest «weapon» to conquer women was a box of chocolates. What could be nicer than a person showing love to a partner, offering a box of chocolates? It shows respect, attentiveness, and even good taste!
Perhaps Valentine’s Day brings out the love, however, our philosophy at Elissos is based on the conviction that our Mind, Body, and Spirit function always in interaction in every experience we may have. We believe in celebrating ourselves and one another all year round. Therefore, let us help you customize a romantic experience just for you and your partner. How does a candlelit dinner on a private beach sound? Maybe, a stay at a secluded villa overlooking the blue seas of Crete? Or private couples massage to detox and rejuvenate? Whatever your interests, send your request here, and together we will design an itinerary focused on your love.