Moscow, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A total of 424 Moscow couples intend to tie the knot on Valentine's Day, the civil registry office said.
More than 1,000 couples got married in Moscow Dec 12, 2012, the last time in this century when the same number appeared in the date three times (12/12/12).
Russians began celebrating Valentine's Day after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 2008, Russia introduced an alternative to Valentine's Day called the "Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness", also known as the "Day of Sts. Peter and Fevronia", the Orthodox patrons of marriage.
The holiday is marked July 8, with a daisy as its symbol.
However, this holiday is not nearly as popular and widely celebrated as Valentine's Day.