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Level 3 – Intermediate
St Valentine’s Day
Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers but nobody knows for sure who Valentine was. The origin of this popular festival goes back at least to Roman times. Valentine may have been a Christian martyr who sent a message to his loved one before his death on 14 February 269 AD with the message, “from your Valentine.”
On the other hand, the festival may be even older. In ancient Rome, 14 February was the day people honoured Juno the Queen of the Gods who was also Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, 15 February was the start of the Feast of Lupercalia. On the eve of this festival, it was the custom to write the names of Roman girls on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and they would then be partners for the duration of the festival.
It is also possible that Valentine was a priest who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius cancelled all marriages in Rome because he believed that the men wouldn’t become soldiers because they didn’t want to leave their loves or families. Priest Valentine is believed to have carried out secret marriages. He was finally arrested and executed on the 14 February around 270 AD.
Whatever the origin of this popular festival, today it is customary to send valentine cards to loved ones and offer gifts of flowers or poems. Since the 18th century it has become an important commercial festival with millions of cards sent every year.
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Answer the questions below to check how well you understand the text.
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C2 Mastery
