Grunthos
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- May 6, 2018
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Feb 14
The eve of the Roman feast of Lupercalia.
Naked youths would run through Rome, anointed with the blood of
sacrificed dogs and goats, waving thongs cut from the goats.
If a young woman was struck by the thong, fertility was assured.
Pope Gelasius 1st decided this was all a bit too much, and co-opted the
Roman holiday to be the Feast of St. Valentine in 484 A.D.
A wise decision I feel.