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,Valentin8 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, wenloved 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 heait-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?

   There are several legends about St. Valentine's Day. One of the legends says that Valentine was Christian priest who lived in the 3 century A.D. He was put into prison by roman authorities for his teachings and was beheaded on February 14. According to the legend he performed a miracle — he cured his jailer's daughter of her blindness. Before the execution he wrote her a letter signed "From Your Valentine". Another legend says that the same Valentine wrote to children and friends who loved him from the jail.
   According to another legend, Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time. He was thrown into prison because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman empire. The legend says that he was burnt at the stake.
   February 14 was also a Roman holiday. On this day young men randomly chose the name of the girl to escort to the festival. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this day became very popular in the medieval Europe. Later this custom spread to American colonies.
   Now, St.Valentine's Day is the day of sweethearts. On this day, people show their friends relatives and loved ones that they care. Peogle send candy or flowers to those whom they love. Most people send "valentines", greeting cards named after St.Valentine's letters written from jail. Valentines can be sentimental and romantic, or funny and friendly. Valentines can be anonymous. Valentines can be heart-shaped or can carry hearts on them. People buy valentines or make them themselves.
   
   Questions:
   1. Who was Valentine according to one legend?
   2. What was he beheaded for?
   3. What was the Valentine's guilt according to the other legends?
   4. What holiday was on February 14 in the Roman empire?
   5. What do people send to their loved ones and friend on St.Valentine's Day?
   6. What is a "valentine"?