St. Valentine’s Day, celebrating love and affection, is named after early an Christian martyr, Saint Valentine. On this day lovers traditionally a day present each other with flowers, confectionery, and send greeting cards known as "valentines".
In 2008, Russia introduced an alternative to St. Valentine's in a move to revive a pre-revolutionary tradition. The Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness, also known as the Day of Sts. Peter and Fevronia, the Orthodox patrons of marriage, is marked on July 8 with a daisy being its symbol.
