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A Key to the Calendar: Romans

February, according to some, derives its name from the Latin februare, signifying to expiate or purify, as the Romans had a custom of general lustrations and purifications in the latter part of that month. More generally, February is traced to the Roman divinity, Februus afterwards identified with the god Pluto, of the lower world. Still another origin is found in the goddess Februa, supposed to be the same as Juno; and Dr. Foster says: "The evident relation between the Februata Juno and the Purificata Virg. Maria is one of the most striking instances of the connection between pagan and Christian rites and festivities as to the period of their occurrence." The festival of the dead (Feralia) was celebrated by the Romans in the month of February. 1. St. Bride (Bridget or Brigida), although not in the Prayer-Book Calendar, is too important a personage to be overlooked in a calendar. From her we derive the honored name of Bride, and cakes are still sacrificed at her shrine. All Christmas decoration of churches, schools and private houses must be removed previous to the morrow, this being the eve of the 2. Purification. The presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called the

Purification of St. Mary the Virgin. The Reformers, desirous that our Saviour should attract more attention than His mother, reversed the order of the festival, but the popular voice never recognized the change; consequently, the day has always been regarded as the Feast of the Purification, in commemoration of the Blessed Virgin's appearance in the Temple to make the accustomed offering of a pair of turtle-doves. The Feast of Candlemas dates from Anglo-Saxon times, and was celebrated with many candles-our Savior being termed "A Light to lighten the Gentiles "—although the Virgin was herself regarded as a light; thus John Lydgate addresses her: "Haile luminary and benynge lanterne!" Candlemas is one of the recognized half-yearly terms in Scotland. Many a farmer there regards this day with an anxious gaze, and, regardless of the falsehood of the prediction in former years, is elevated or depressed as the weather may be propitious or otherwise. St. Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, suffered martyrdom, A D. 316. He was cruelly tortured, his flesh being dragged off by means of iron combs with curved teeth, such as are used by wool-combers. In consequence of this he has been regarded as the patron saint of wool-workers, and formerly his day was observed in Bradford, Leeds, and other centres of the manufactures in England as a holiday; processions were formed, and those who took part in them were termed

Blazers-hence the term, "As drunk as Blazers," or blazes. St. Agatha. Of this saint but little is known. She is said to have suffered martyrdom, A. D. 253. Her flesh was nipped off with pincers, and burning torches were applied to her body. Her sufferings have afforded much scope for the ingenuity of painters. 14. St. Valentine, bishop, martyred A. D. 270. "On this day the birds begin to pair," was an adage applied to this anniversary. Many young persons date their pairing from this festival, for festival it is, whether it fall in or out of the Lenten season. In pagan Rome it was customary for youths to draw names in honor of the goddess Februata Juno on the 15th of February, and when paganism was abolished the honor was conferred on St. Valentine.