Saint Valentine's Day - Saint Trifun's Day
Valentine's Day is widely celebrated in numerous countries as the day dedicated to love. But it became commercial holiday, when in 1913 year Hallmark Cards from Kansas City began mass production of specific Valentine's cards.
Actually it is an ancient Romans holiday, and by the legend the first card was a greeting message to a blind young girl from Valentine. Before his death, as a sign of gratitude for her warmth she showed toward him, he had sent a letter, yellow sapphire with a signature "from your Valentine". The miracle happened and she saw it.
In my country on February 14th, Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Trifun (holy Tryphon, Trifon), as a keeper and protector of the vineyards and inns, also of marital love and fidelity. Legend says that St.Tryphon was born in a village Kampsadi in Phrygia in the third century.
On this particular day our vine growers visit their vineyards and prune a few vines and sprinkle them with wine to restore the power and life's juices in the plants after a long period of hibernation.
In some regions of Serbia festive meals are prepared in the vineyard, but usually visited at dawn. St. Tryphon's Day is celebrated as any other Feasts of the Patron Saint (Slava) with boiled wheat,wine and festive bread. Priests, also bless vineyards while traditional pruning. It is believed that from February spring is slowly arriving and nature awake as well as love among people, here it is a place for the Saint Valentine.
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Since love should be spread around, let us enjoy in love and wine.
By Jasminka S.