St. Valentine’s Day comes on February 14. It is widely celebrated among people of all ages. Valentine’s Day is a time when people in love express their feelings to those whom they love or adore. Some people give greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, perfumes or jewelry to their admirers or partners while others take their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant or even propose to get married.

Valentine’s Day cards are the most popular gifts. They can be ready-made or hand-made. Also Valentine’s cards can be pink or red-coloured and some of them can be heart-shaped. Some valentines are very fancy; they are decorated with ribbons, paper lace and images of cupids. A card can be different; it can be sentimental with love poetry, friendly or satirical.

The origins of this day are not clear. Some sources believe that it stems from the story of St Valentine, a Roman priest who was executed on February 14, around 269 C.E. According to one legend, Valentine served as a priest during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he forbade marriage for young men. Valentine disobeyed the order of Emperor Claudius II and secretly married young couples anyway. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was sentenced to death. In prison he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter who visited him during his confinement. Just before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From Your Valentine”.

Today, St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of love, young people, happy marriages and the holiday was named after him. St. Valentine’s Day is a good day for parties. The restaurants and clubs are decorated with red and pink paper hearts. Chocolate, candies and cookies are often cut in the shape of hearts.

С сайта http://englishstyle.net/topics/st-valentines-day-2/

Дополнительные выражения

• St. Valentine’s Day – День Святого Валентина
• to express feeling – выражать чувство
• to adore – обожать, покланяться
• jewelry (or jewellery) – драгоценности, ювелирные украшения
• admirer – поклонник, кавалер
• to get married – выйти замуж, венчаться, жениться
• Valentine’s Day card – валентинка
• valentines – валентинки
• ready-made – готовый, стандартный
• hand-made – сделанный своими руками
• ribbon – лента
• paper lace – кружево из бумаги
• cupid – амур, купидон
• C.E. – год нашей эры
• priest – священник
• anyway – все равно
• jailer – тюремщик, надзиратель
• confinement – тюремное заключение
• Patron Saint – святой заступник, покровитель