Russia promotes family with Orthodox Valentine's Day

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia on Tuesday marked a Day of Family, Love and Fidelity intended as a rival to Valentine's Day, with church services and prizes for married couples taking precedence over lustful confessions.

The celebrations included Orthodox church services, medals for people in especially long-lasting marriages and the dedication of a metal bench in Moscow intended to help squabbling spouses sort out disagreements.

"From this year forward, we in Russia will celebrate this as our shared holiday, as Family, Love and Fidelity Day," Moscow's deputy mayor, Lyudmila Shvetsova, said at a ceremony for couples who got married on Tuesday.

The holiday is being celebrated for the first time following criticism from Orthodox Christians and nationalists of Russia's...