St. Valentine's Day has its origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed on February 15. Lupercalia celebrated the coming of spring in the Roman calendar (February was observed later in the year than it is today). Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks and the festival of Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, fields and people.The celebration of Lupercalia spread as the Roman Empire grew. When the Romans conquered France, the first Valentine-like cards were used, in which women had written their names (possibly accompanied by love notes) that later could be used in a lottery to search someone favours.From its association with Lupercalia, St. Valentine's Day associates with love and romance. This led Valentine's enthusiasts to appoint the Roman god Cupid as a patron of Valentine's Day. Cupid is also known as Amour or Eros in Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks believed Eros was the force of «love» that is why Eros seems to have been responsible for impregnating a number of goddesses and mortals.There are several legends about St. Valentine's Day. Each legend stems from real-life martyr known as Valentines who lived in the time of Roman Empire. It is unsure who St. Valentine was, but there are several possible candidates. One of these Valentines is believed to have been a Roman priest and physician. He was put into prison by roman authorities for his teachings and was beheaded on February 14 in the third century A. D. According to the legend he performed a miracle -he cured the blindness of his jailer's daughter. 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. After his death this Valentine was buried in the Roman road Via Flaminia. Pope Julius I is said to have later built a basilica above his grave. One more Saint Valentine candidate, believed to be a bishop of Teni (a province in central Italy), was executed in Rome.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 all sweethearts. On this day, people send presents or flowers to those whom they love. Most people send «valentines», greeting cards, named after St. Valentine's letters written in the jail. Valentines can be sentimental and romantic, or funny and friendly. Valentines can be anonymous. Valentines can be heart-shaped. People buy valentines or make them themselves.
1. Я рассчитываю, что письмо придет завтра. I expect the letter to come tomorrow. 2. Он рассчитывал, что учитель похвалит его. He expected the teacher to praise him. 3. Она не рассчитывала, что они вернутся так поздно. She didn’t expect they to be back so late. 4. Я знаю, что она талантливая певица. I know her to be a talented singer. 5. Я знала, что он великий ученый. I knew him to be a great scientist. 6. Мы не рассчитывали, что вы так много сделаете. We didn’t expect you to have done so much. 7. Учитель рассчитывал, что ученики поймут правило. The teacher found the students to understand the rule. 8. Я не ожидал, что он напишет такие прекрасные стихи. I didn’t expect him to write such beautiful poetry. 9. Она знала, что он очень добрый человек. She knew him to be a very kind person. 10. Все знали, что она прогрессивный ученый. Everyone knew her to be a progressive scientist. 11. Я знаю, что твоя сестра очень студентка. I know your sister to be a very capable student. 12. Все знают, что Байрон великий поэт. Everybody knows Byron to be a great poet. 13. Я не ожидал, что это случится так скоро. I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. 14. Мы рассчитываем, что вы нам 15. Он ожидал, что министр ответит сразу. He expected the Minister to reply immediately. 16. Мы рассчитывали, что погода изменится. We believed the weather to change.
2. Он рассчитывал, что учитель похвалит его. He expected the teacher to praise him.
3. Она не рассчитывала, что они вернутся так поздно. She didn’t expect they to be back so late.
4. Я знаю, что она талантливая певица. I know her to be a talented singer.
5. Я знала, что он великий ученый. I knew him to be a great scientist.
6. Мы не рассчитывали, что вы так много сделаете. We didn’t expect you to have done so much.
7. Учитель рассчитывал, что ученики поймут правило. The teacher found the students to understand the rule.
8. Я не ожидал, что он напишет такие прекрасные стихи. I didn’t expect him to write such beautiful poetry.
9. Она знала, что он очень добрый человек. She knew him to be a very kind person.
10. Все знали, что она прогрессивный ученый. Everyone knew her to be a progressive scientist.
11. Я знаю, что твоя сестра очень студентка. I know your sister to be a very capable student.
12. Все знают, что Байрон великий поэт. Everybody knows Byron to be a great poet.
13. Я не ожидал, что это случится так скоро. I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
14. Мы рассчитываем, что вы нам
15. Он ожидал, что министр ответит сразу. He expected the Minister to reply immediately.
16. Мы рассчитывали, что погода изменится. We believed the weather to change.