www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall St Valentine's Day

Dear Friends,

What are some good ways in which to celebrate St Valentine's Day with your significant other?

Can one be naughty and Christian at the same time?

Alex

Dear Alex,

Only if one is married!

Tammy

Seriously, though... From a woman's point of view:

If you are trying to woo your loved one, start by thinking about what SHE likes. First of all, PAY ATTENTION TO THE HINTS!

A few years ago, I hinted that I wanted a locket for Christmas. I didn't get it. Around Valentine's Day I pointed out a locket in the K-Mart ad and said, "Boy, I'd love that for Valentine's Day!" I didn't get it... My birthday came around in April, and I tried one more time. "What I'd really like for my birthday is a locket." I got a cross necklace instead! (I still don't have a locket...)

If you want to give lingerie, fine, but make sure it's something that makes HER feel sexy, not just something that turns YOU on. If you're not sure, try taking a trip TOGETHER to Fredrick's or Victoria's Secret to pick out her gift...

If she's likely to think you forgot and this is a last-minute thing, then take the time AHEAD to make it romantic... Do you know origami? You could buy a gift certificate for Fredrick's or Victoria's Secret, fold it into a flower shape, and put it in a bouquet of roses... And write on the gift certificate, "Redeemable only with husband present" so that she knows you intended it as something to do together! Valentine's Day is a Saturday this year, so you could make a day of it - breakfast in bed, shopping for the lingerie together in the afternoon, and ... well, you know what to do after that!

Tammy

Don't we conmemorate St. Valentine Martyr Bishop of Interamna the day 30 July??

Dear Alex,

May I suggest you start with a change of attitude. Might you consider her the "better half" of your life (without which you would not be whole), instead of filing her among the sub-categories of "other"?

You might also consider that February 14th is the Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Western Church? What better thing for a Slav to do than to make a pilgrimage on that day?


It seems to me that most things previously thought to be "naughty", --- when done in partnership with one's spouse, become, as the Latins would say (not that they would actually say it) , "sacramentals"

So the answer to your query would probably be that you cannot be naughty anymore, unless you break your vows.

Here are the rules:

1. He is half.
2. She is the better half.
3. God put you together.
4. Together is good.
5. Together, when done well, is very good indeed.

Blessed Togetherness

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Dear John,

No offense, but I don't think EITHER half is the "better" half. "There is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek" etc. We are both made in the image of God and need each other to be complete.

Unless what you are saying is, she is HIS better half, and he is HER better half!

Tammy

My question. The modern Roman Calendar now commemorates St. Cyril and Methodius as the Orthodox Church does. Did they take the fest from the Byzantine Calendar or it was previously in the Latin Calendar.

(Latin Rite traditionalists commemorate St. Valentine right?)

I think I love an Armenian girl and she does not like me.

How to celebrate Valentine's day? Dinner at our favorite French resturaunt, a trip to the ballet, dessert & coffee at a little cafe with the best cannolli in town.

Our Parish is having a dinner\dance as a fundraiser for a defibrillator.

My wife and I will be attending and dancing the night away

Dear Tammy,

I guess you are right, sort of, I think.

Around this household, I really believe that I am the lesser half. However, one of her finest qualities is that she tells me (and acts liks she believes it) that I am the better half.

This does make me feel better (not superior, but rather psychologically improved). I think I behave better when I feel better. So, if I am her better half, most of the betterness is a response to her lifting me up.

After all, the Church does refer to this institution as a "Mystery", doesn't it?

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Frederick's of Hollywood?! Should a Christian man really favor the harlot look for his beloved? Am I the only one who thinks this conversation is a little disordered?

Well, they ARE married... And he DID ASK about being naughty...

Or do good Catholics have to use missionary style in the dark? :rolleyes:

Besides, they have nice things there too. I DID suggest they go shopping TOGETHER. I doubt Tanya would let Alex dress her as a harlot!

So - any ideas for an unmarried, single female who's not currently dating anyone and kinda sorta dreading the 14th this year?

Alex,

The most romantic thing a man can do is to truly listen - and respond. As for being "naughty," pretty much anything goes between married folks who love one another, as long as it is mutually acceptable. I think it helps a great deal if one keeps a healthy sense of humor about such things too.


Theist Gal,

No matter what the greeting card folks would like us to believe, love isn't limited to just the romantic sort. I've always found that the best way to stop thinking about my sorry lot is to do something loving for someone else.


Me, I'm going to be out of town for most of Valentine's Day, coming home (probably pretty beat) at night. My dearly beloved isn't the candy and flowers type anyway, but he suits me, and I seem to suit him. A few years ago, one of my then-coworkers received a dozen long-stemmed roses from her husband. Lovely. But that same week, my husband got up an hour early and took all the ice off my car so I could go to work safely.

(Flowers are nice, but you're hungry an hour later.)

Cheers,


Sharon

No, I agree. Intimacy is just that--private. Not internet material.

Yes.

I said a prayer for your intention! Is she a Catholic or a non-Chalcie? Tell her that I think you're a great guy!

LtnTrd