On the 14th of February activists of the Russian Orthodox youth movement “Georgievtsy!” intend to mount an Internet protest at St. Valentine’s Day which they consider a pagan and commercial celebration.
      
      In an official message they call Internet users to replace their avatars (userpics) with anti-valentines - pictures featuring crossed out red hearts for one day as a sign of “the true love support”. Apart from the silent protest the activist also plan to spread information about “the true nature of the celebration” over the Internet. “Georgievtsy!” activists intend to convince Internet users that celebrating St. Valentine’s Day is a sin due to this day was initially based on the ancient pagan Feast of Lubercus – a celebration “encouraging promiscuous sexual relations and debauchery”, as a movement’s message says. According to the movement members, St. Valentine’s Day has nothing to do with Christianity and this date is alien to both the Orthodox and Catholics.
      
      Apart from the historic aspects of the celebration “Georgievtsy!” activists are also outraged over “commercialization” of St. Valentine’s Day. “The market supports the sin because the sin stimulates the market”, they claim.
      
      Source: www.regions.ru