Starting July 8 this year, a new event – dubbed as the Day of Married Love and Family Happiness – will take place in Russia, the Federation Council’s social and health committee said on Monday. “This should be a day to promote family love and happiness, based on national cultural traditions,” said Russian official Valentina Petrenko.The event will be first celebrated July 8 this year, but will not be a public holiday. The event was intended to coincide with the day of St. Peter and Fevronia, the Orthodox patron saints for marriage and family life.

Petrenco pointed out that the Day of Married Love and Family Happiness was not intended to replace Valentine’s Day, which remains popular in Russia and across the globe.

She said: “We wanted to draw attention to the issues of family and marriage. It is designed to be a day when people can propose, tie the knot or simply say I love you.”