Where did Valentine's Day tradition come from?

Question

I would just like to know, because as a greek orthodox, I have no idea, although everyone here celebrates Valentine's.
I was just wondering.. what exactly are we all celebrating?

Answer 1

It's interesting that the Greek Orthodox website makes no mention of St. Valentine:

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/todaywecelebrate.asp?M=2&D=14&Y=2007

However, the Orthodox celebrate St. Valentine's nameday on July 6:

http://www.comeandseeicons.com/v/inp37.htm

Yet, the Greek Orthodox still make no mention of St. Valentine on July 6.

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/todaywecelebrate.asp?M=7&D=6&Y=2007

Answer 2

Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day falls on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, candy, or donations to charities, often anonymously. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

Answer 3

It began as the pagan festival Lupercalia, the festival of lust, carnality and fertility but when christians came along they paired it up with a saint to promote monogamy.

Answer 4

Hallmark cards made up a story bout some saint in prison who was in love with this woman but its a corporate thing its fake