Murom Peter and Fevronia. Where is the icon of Peter and Fevronia. Troparion and Kontakion to Saints Peter and Fevronia

Orthodox saints and characters of folk legends. Some researchers identify Peter and Fevronia with real historical characters - Prince Davyd Yuryevich of Murom and his wife, Princess Euphrosinia, who became monks and took the names Peter and Fevronia.

Legend

The Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom appeared in the middle of the 16th century. The author of this life of the saints, monk Yermolai, processed and wrote down the Murom oral traditions. Researchers believe that Yermolai connected two fairy tales - about wise maiden and the fiery serpent.

The monk used these motifs of a fairy tale when creating the story of the Murom saints Peter and Fevronia by order of the Metropolitan of Moscow. The order was made after Peter and Fevronia were canonized at the church council. The plot gained popularity and began to be developed further in icon painting and literature.

According to legend, a fiery serpent appeared to the wife of Paul, who reigned in the city of Murom. This happened when the prince himself was not at home. The monster persuaded the prince's wife to fornication. Other people saw Prince Pavel himself at the site of the snake and could not recognize it as a “stranger”.

When the real Paul found out about these visits, he ordered his wife to find out from the serpent how to kill him. The monster said that a certain Peter would become his killer, who, in order to cope with him, would need a certain "Agrikov's sword".

The name of the princely brother was Peter, and he decided to deal with the snake. To fulfill the set goal, it remained to find the "Agrikov's sword", which was found in the monastery church - in the cavity between the stones of the altar wall.

Peter took the sword, and soon he had the opportunity to use it. Once, having declared to his brother, Peter found him at home. Then Peter looked to his brother's wife and there he also found Paul. After talking with the "first" Paul, Peter found out that this is a snake that can take on the appearance of a prince. Peter ordered his brother to stay at home, armed himself with the Agric Sword, again went to his brother's wife and killed the snake there.

The blood of a magical monster fell on Peter, and he fell ill with leprosy. Peter was suffering from an illness, and no one could help him, until one day in a dream he saw the way to salvation. The peasant woman Fevronia, the daughter of a beekeeper who extracted wild honey, could heal the prince.

Fevronia agreed to heal the prince, but in response demanded that Peter marry her. He gave his word, but in the end, when the girl cured him, he broke his promise. Fevronia was from an humble family and for this reason did not attract Peter as a spouse.

The cunning healer, however, deliberately cured the prince not to the end, left one ulcer and allowed the disease to break out again after the promise was broken. After Fevronia healed Peter the second time, he married her.

When Peter became Prince of Murom after his brother Pavel, the boyars opposed the fact that the commoner Fevronia became a princess and rose above them. The new prince was required to either leave Murom or remove his wife from himself. As a result, Peter and his wife sailed away from the city on two ships, and turmoil began in Murom. The struggle for power led to murders, and as a result, the boyars asked the prince to return. Peter returned with his wife, and the townspeople eventually fell in love with Fevronia.

Real facts

Real historical characters, subsequently canonized by the church as Saints Peter and Fevronia, are Prince Davyd Yuryevich of Murom and his wife. Little is known about the prince's wife, and he himself ascended the throne in Murom after his elder brother Vladimir. Davyd Yurievich was a supporter of the Grand Duke Vsevolod Big Nest and fought on his side in all the significant battles of that period.

In 1208, Vsevolod the Big Nest gave Davyd Yuryevich the city of Pronsk, which he took from the previous prince Oleg for his faults. However, in the same year, Oleg gathered the brothers and drove Davyd Yurievich out of the city.

After Vsevolod the Big Nest died, Prince Davyd began to support his sons Yuri and Yaroslav and participate in the campaigns organized by them.

According to the chronicles, Prince Davyd took the monastic vows and died on the same day as his youngest son Svyatoslav, on Easter 1228. In the annals there is no evidence that the prince's wife also became a nun, as well as the day of her death. However, church tradition claims that the prince and princess died on the same day.

Whether the legendary Peter and Fevronia had children is unknown. The real-life prince of Murom, Davyd Yurievich, had two sons - Yuri and Svyatoslav, and a daughter, Evdokia.

Death

According to legend, having grown old, Peter and Fevronia went to different monasteries and there they began to pray that they would die on the same day. Their spouses asked to be buried in the same tomb, but this turned out to be incompatible with the title of monks. As a result, the bodies of Peter and Fevronia, who died on the same day, were buried in different monasteries, but the next day the saints performed a miracle, finding themselves in the same coffin.

The chronicles say that the princely couple died and were buried in April 1228. However, the day of church veneration of Peter and Fevronia does not coincide with the day of death and falls on July 8 according to the modern calendar.

The burial place of the holy couple was the cathedral church of Murom, or the Mother of God-Nativity Cathedral. ordered in 1553 to build this temple over their relics. In the Soviet years, the relics were given to the local museum and exhibited in an anti-religious exposition. After perestroika, the relics “moved” again and ended up in the church of the Holy Trinity Monastery, where believers could worship them.

Memory

Orthodox women turn to Peter and Fevronia with an akathist (singing of praise and thanksgiving) and a prayer for marriage and family well-being. It is believed that the icon of Peter and Fevronia helps the birth of children and the establishment of strong family relationships.

Monuments to Peter and Fevronia as the heavenly patrons of marriage have been erected in many cities of Russia and continue to be erected. The installation of these monuments is part of a nationwide program aimed at strengthening family values. The opening of the monuments is usually timed to coincide with the holiday of July 8 - the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, which has been celebrated since 2008.

In the same year, a 25-minute documentary “Peter and Fevronia. The story of eternal love”, filmed by the studio “Ostrov”.

In 2017, a comedy cartoon for family viewing "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia" was released. The main characters here are voiced by actors Vladislav Yudin and Yulia Gorokhova. The script is based on the plot of the legend of Peter and Fevronia.

Events unfold in the Murom principality of the XIII century. Fearless Peter goes to battle with an evil and cruel sorcerer who seized power in the principality. The hero wins the fight, but is poisoned by the poisonous blood of the sorcerer. Fevronia, a young healer, wants to save Peter, and love breaks out between the young people.

Holy believers
Prince Pyotr and Princess FEVRONIA,
Murom wonderworkers (†1227)

The Holy Blessed Prince Peter (in monasticism David) and the Holy Blessed Princess Fevronia (in monasticism Euphrosyne) are Russian Orthodox saints, Miracle Workers of Murom.

The story of the life of the holy princes Peter and Fevronia is a story of fidelity, devotion and true love, capable of sacrifice for the sake of a loved one.

The love story of this married couple is described in detail by the greatest author of the 16th century Yermolai Erasmus in the Old Russian "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia" . According to the Tale, the couple reigned in Murom at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th centuries, they lived happily and died on the same day.

Blessed Prince Peter was the second son of Prince Yury Vladimirovich of Murom. He ascended the throne of Murom in 1203. A few years before this, Saint Peter fell ill with leprosy - the prince's body became covered with scabs and ulcers. No one could heal Peter from a serious illness. Enduring torment with humility, the prince surrendered to God in everything.

In a sleepy vision, it was revealed to the prince that the pious maiden Fevronia, a peasant woman of the village of Laskovaya in the Ryazan land, could heal him. Saint Peter sent his people to that village.

Fevronia, as a payment for treatment, wished that the prince would marry her after the healing. Peter promised to marry, but in his heart he was cunning, since Fevronia was a commoner: "Well, how is it possible - for the prince to take the daughter of a poison dart frog as his wife!". Fevronia healed the prince, but since the beekeeper's daughter saw the cunning and pride of Peter, she ordered him to leave one scab unoiled as evidence of sin. Soon, from this scab, the whole disease resumed, and the prince again returned to Fevronia in shame. Fevronia again cured Peter, and even then he married her.

Together with the young princess, Peter returns to Murom.Prince Peter fell in love with Fevronia for her piety, wisdom and kindness. The holy spouses carried love for each other through all trials.

After the death of his brother, Peter became autocrat in the city. The boyars respected their prince, but the arrogant boyar wives disliked Fevronia and, not wanting to have a peasant woman as their ruler, taught their husbands unkind things. The proud boyars demanded that the prince let his wife go. Saint Peter refused, and the couple were expelled. They sailed on a boat along the Oka from their hometown. Saint Fevronia supported and consoled Saint Peter. But soon the wrath of God overtook the city of Murom, and the people demanded that the prince return with Saint Fevronia. Ambassadors arrived from Murom, begging Peter to return to reign. The boyars quarreled over power, shed blood, and now they were again looking for peace and tranquility. Peter and Fevronia with humility returned to their city and ruled happily ever after, observing all the commandments and instructions of the Lord impeccably, praying unceasingly and doing alms to all the people who were under their rule, like a child-loving father and mother.

The holy spouses became famous for their piety and mercy. Whether they had children - oral tradition did not convey information about this. They achieved holiness not by many children, but mutual love and keeping the sanctity of marriage. This is the meaning and purpose of it.

When old age came, they became monks with the names David and Euphrosyne and begged God to die at the same time. They bequeathed to bury themselves together in a specially prepared coffin with a thin partition in the middle. Marriage vows, even after being tonsured, retain their power for them, because they also fulfill their last promise to each other - to die at the same time.

They died on the same day and hour on June 25, 1228 each in his cell. People considered it impious to bury monks in one coffin and dared to violate the will of the deceased. Twice their bodies were carried to different temples, but twice they miraculously were nearby. So they buried the holy spouses together in one coffin near the Cathedral Church of the Nativity Holy Mother of God. Thus, the Lord glorified not only His saints, but also once again sealed the holiness and dignity of marriage, the vows of which in this case turned out to be no lower than monastic ones.

Peter and Fevronia were canonized at a church council in 1547. The day of remembrance of the saints is June 25 (July 8).

Saints Peter and Fevronia are a model of Christian marriage. With their prayers, they bring down the heavenly blessing on those who are getting married.

The Holy Princes Peter and Fevronia are revered by the Church as patrons of Christian marriage. It is they who should pray for the sending of peace into the family, for the strengthening of marital ties, for the achievement of family happiness. They are placed on a par with the apostles and martyrs and other great saints. And they were honored with such glorification “for the sake of courage and humility”, shown by them in keeping the commandments of God regarding marriage. This means that each of those who labor in Christian marriage and follow their example can be placed in this rank and can acquire the crown that was awarded to Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

Them the relics are in the city of Murom in the Trinity convent . The Day of Remembrance of the Murom Wonderworkers in pre-revolutionary times was one of the main citywide holidays. On this day, a fair was held in Murom, many surrounding residents flocked to the city. It can rightly be said that the relics of the holy princes were a citywide shrine and the main Orthodox symbol cities.

Located in Moscow revered icon of the holy princes Peter and Fevronia with a particle of relics in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord on Bolshaya Nikitskaya("Small Ascension"), where every Sunday at 17.00 an akathist is served to them.

In 2008, with the support of his wife Russian President Svetlana Medvedeva was established new holiday - Day of Family, Love and Fidelity , falling on July 8 - the day of memory of the holy noble princes Peter and Fevronia. This holiday is part of the forgotten tradition of our people. Previously, engagements were made on this day, and after the end of Peter's Lent, couples got married in the church. A simple and close to everyone chamomile has become a symbol of the holiday - as a symbol of summer, warmth, comfort, purity and innocence.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

for the Temple Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

Troparion, tone 8
You were like a pious root, an honorable branch, / having lived well in piety, blessed Peter, / so with your wife, the wise Fevronia, / pleasing God in the world / and honored the reverend life. / Pray to the Lord with them / save your fatherland without harm, / let you be unceasingly revered.

Kontakion, tone 8
Temporarily contemplating reigning and glory of this world, / for this sake, you lived piously in the world, Peter, / together with your wife, the wise Fevronia, / pleasing God with alms and prayers. / and now pray to Christ, / / ​​save the city and the people who glorify you.

Prayer to the holy noble Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia, Murom
Oh, the great saints of God and the miraculous miracle-workers of the faithful Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia, the city of Murom, intercessors and guardians, and for all of us, zeal for the Lord of prayer! We resort to you and pray to you with strong hope: bring your holy prayers for us sinners to the Lord God and ask us from His goodness all that is beneficial to our souls and our bodies: faith in the right, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, prosperity in good deeds, peace of peace, fruitfulness of the earth, well-being of the air, health and eternal salvation for souls and bodies. Intercede with the King of Heaven: His faithful servants, in sorrow and sorrow, crying out to Him day and night, may the many-sick cry be heard and may our belly be driven out of death. Ask the Church of the Saints and the entire power of Russia for peace, silence and well-being, and for all of us a prosperous life and a good Christian death. Protect your fatherland, the city of Murom, and all the cities of Russia from all evil and all the faithful people who come to you and worship with might, overshadow the grace-filled action of your favorable prayers, and fulfill all their petitions for the good. Hey, miracle workers of the saints! Do not despise our prayers, offered up to you with tenderness, but wake up intercessors for us to the Lord and make us worthy of your holy help to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven; let us glorify the inexpressible love of mankind of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity worshiping God, forever and ever. A min.

July 8(June 25 to julian calendar) The Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Murom holy spouses Peter and Fevronia, who lived at the turn of the 12th-13th centuries. Their marriage is an example of Christian marriage. Saints Peter and Fevronia were revered in Russia as patrons of married life; it was believed that with their prayers they bring down a heavenly blessing on those who marry.

The life story of Peter and Fevronia existed for many centuries in the legends of the Murom land, where they lived and where their relics were preserved. Over time, the true events acquired fabulous features, merging in the people's memory with the legends and parables of this region. In the 16th century, the love story of Peter and Fevronia was described in detail and colorfully in the famous Old Russian "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia" by a talented writer, widely known in the era of John the Terrible, priest Yermolai the Sinful (monastic Erasmus). Researchers argue about which of the historical figures the life is written about: some are inclined to believe that they were Prince David and his wife Euphrosinia, in monasticism Peter and Fevronia, who died in 1228, others see in them the spouses Peter and Euphrosinia, who reigned in Murom in XIV century.

According to the Lives of the Saints, Prince Peter was the second son of Prince Yury Vladimirovich of Murom. He ascended the throne of Murom in 1203. A few years before his reign, Peter fell ill with leprosy, from which no one could cure him. In a dream, it was revealed to the prince that the beekeeper's daughter Fevronia, a peasant woman from the village of Laskovaya in the Ryazan land, could heal him. Fevronia was beautiful, pious and kind, besides, she was a wise girl, she knew the properties of herbs and knew how to treat ailments, wild animals obeyed her. The prince fell in love with Fevronia for her piety, wisdom and kindness and vowed to marry her after the healing. The girl healed the prince, but he did not keep his word. The disease resumed, Fevronia again cured the prince, and he married the healer.

After the death of his brother, Peter inherited the reign. The boyars respected their prince, but the arrogant boyar wives disliked Fevronia, not wanting to have a peasant woman as their ruler. The boyars demanded that the prince leave her. Peter, having learned that they wanted to separate him from his beloved wife, chose to voluntarily give up power and wealth and go into exile with her. Peter and Fevronia left Murom, sailing on a boat along the Oka River. Soon turmoil began in Murom, the boyars quarreled, seeking the vacant princely throne, blood was shed. Then the boyars, who came to their senses, gathered a council and decided to call Prince Peter back. The prince and princess returned, and Fevronia managed to earn the love of the townspeople. They ruled happily ever after.

In their advanced years, Peter and Fevronia took tonsure in different monasteries with the names David and Euphrosyne, and prayed to God that they die on the same day, and bequeathed to bury themselves together in a specially prepared coffin with a thin partition in the middle.

Each of them died in his cell on the same day and hour - July 8 (according to the old style - June 25), 1228.

People considered it impious to bury monks in one coffin and violated the will of the dead: their bodies were laid in different monasteries. However, the next day they were together. Twice their bodies were carried to different temples, but twice they miraculously ended up nearby. So they buried the holy spouses together in the city of Murom near the cathedral church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Approximately 300 years after the death of Peter and Fevronia, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized them as saints. Now the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia rest in the Holy Trinity Convent in Murom.

On this day, it is customary for Orthodox believers, first of all, to visit churches. In their prayers, young people ask God for Great love, and older people about family harmony. The day of Peter and Fevronia is considered by the people to be happy for love. Also, by folk omens from that day on, forty hot days should be expected.

On March 26, 2008, at a meeting of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, the Federation Council unanimously approved the initiative to establish a new public holiday on July 8 on the Day of the patron saints of the holy princes Peter and Fevronia - " All-Russian day conjugal love and family happiness." The first celebration will take place on July 8 this year in Murom, the homeland of Saints Peter and Fevronia.

The life of Peter and Fevronia of Murom is a story of eternal love, fidelity and sacrifice. Under Tsar Ivan the Terrible, spouses were canonized for piety and exemplary observance of marital vows. Their relics are the main shrine of Murom, to which many pilgrims flock. Among them and simple people, and Russian tsars.

Them magic story love saw the light in 1547, being told by the monk Erasmus and then written down in The Tale of Peter and Fevronia. This work is one of the outstanding examples of literature of the 16th century. Favorite themes are intertwined in the plot folk art: legend of the wise maiden(as in the tales of Vasilisa the Wise) and the story of the vile snake.

Peter

Peter was the brother of Prince Pavel of Murom. One day a tragedy happened in the family. A demon in the guise of her husband began to visit Paul's wife. The woman suffered from obsession for a long time, and told everything to her husband. Paul had to protect his family, but the snake is not so easy to kill. For this, Agric's sword was needed.

The prince shared his grief with his brother, and he began to look for weapons. For help, he went to church and prayed to God. Some time later, a boy appeared in front of him and pointed out that the sword Peter needed so much was lying in the wall right at the altar. Delighted, Peter took the weapon and first told everything to Paul, and then went to his wife. Imagine his surprise when he saw his brother in the daughter-in-law's chambers. Since the prince could not be in two places at the same time, Peter pierced the devil's messenger with his sword. The enemy took on his real appearance and died, but his poisonous blood fell on the body of the winner, covering him with ulcers and scabs. No doctor was able to help.

Fevronia

Fevronia was the daughter of a beekeeper. Unusually beautiful, smart and kind, she had healing power and insight from childhood, studied herbs, got along with animals.

When Peter had a vision in a dream that the daughter of a beekeeper could help him, he had already come to terms with his misfortune. But the servants looked for a doctor for him all over the world. One of the boys ended up in the Ryazan village of Laskovo. Something attracted him in the peasant's house, and he went into the upper room, being met by no one. There he saw a girl who did not expect his arrival and was upset that there were no ears and eyes in the house. She meant a dog that would warn of a guest by barking, and a child who would tell who was coming to them. But the lad did not understand her and asked a question about where the household members were. The answer was even more ornate. Say, the parents went to cry on loan, and the brother went to look into the eyes of death.

The guest, desperate to understand her, asked for an explanation. It turned out that the father and mother went to the funeral, so that later they would come to their grave, and the brother went to climb dangerous tall trees for honey. The young man was impressed by the speech of the hostess. After talking, he learned that her name was Fevronia, and told her about the prince's illness. After listening carefully to the story, the girl said that she could help.

Acquaintance

By the time they found Fevronia, Peter was already so sick that he could not get up on his own. When he was taken to the girl, he promised a generous reward for the treatment, but she needed a special reward. Fevronia promised to help only if he would marry her. The young man didn't mean to do it. but promised for a chance at healing. Then she breathed on the leaven and ordered that after the bath all her wounds be lubricated except for one.

The prince agreed, but decided to play a trick on the girl, telling her to weave a handkerchief and a shirt for him from a small bundle of linen while he was washing. Fevronia, in response, passed a sliver through the servant with a request to make a machine out of it so that she could complete the assignment. Peter replied that it was impossible. To this she said that his request was the same. The prince was pleasantly surprised by her ingenuity.

Healing

The prince followed the advice of Fevronia and as soon as he did everything she ordered, his skin cleared and the pain disappeared.

But it was no coincidence that Fevronia ordered to leave one ulcer untouched. She knew that Peter had planned a deceit and was treating his body, trying to heal his soul as well. The bath symbolized the rite of baptism, and the treatment was supposed to save the prince not only from leprosy, but also from pride. After all, although the prince was grateful for the miraculous recovery, he refused to marry a commoner, deciding that rich gifts would be enough for the girl. Fevronia did not accept such gratitude, and Peter, who returned home, again began to become covered with scabs, multiplying from the left ulcer.

Peter had no choice but to return to the healer. He was afraid of her anger and resentment, but they were not, she only asked that the promise be fulfilled. Peter sincerely said that this time he would not deceive. Fevronia repeated the treatment, and the prince became healthy again. He returned to Murom with the future princess, Fevronia, whom he later fell in love with, as she did him.

When the time came for Paul to go to God in 1203, Peter led Murom. He was a good ruler, but the residents did not like his choice of wife. The boyars slandered Fevronia, and when this did not help, they revolted. Wanting to get rid of the commoner immediately, they told her to take whatever she wanted so that she could get away as soon as possible. The choice of the princess pleased the boyars who were aiming for the throne, because all she needed was Peter.

Loyalty

This state of affairs did not anger the prince of Murom, because he could not part with his wife and betray love. He voluntarily left all wealth and power, going with his beloved wherever his eyes look.

So they got on the ship, where in addition to them there was also a married couple. The young man stared at Fevronia, and she again showed her wisdom. She asked the man to scoop up two buckets of river water on either side of the ship and taste them. He did not find a difference in taste and asked why there was such a request. The girl explained that the female nature is also the same as this water, thereby forcing the failed lover to repent.

When the journey ended, Peter despaired, and his wife could not comfort him in any way. Then she decided to show him a miracle. Seeing a couple of broken trees, she blessed them, and by morning they turned into healthy ones.

In less than a day, good news came from Murom. The boyars begged the spouses to return to reign, since they themselves only shed blood and could not share power. Peter and Fevronia accepted the request.

Later life of Peter and Fevronia

The 25-year reign of Peter and Fevronia was long and happy. They did good, helped those in need, gave love and care to all residents. Their reign was not overshadowed by either the thirst for money, or quarrels and strife. People loved and respected them for this. Shortly before his death, the couple became monks with the names David and Euphrosyne.

There is no reliable information about whether there were children from their love. According to the annals, David and Efrosinya had three children: Svyatoslav, Yuri and Evdokia. They also had a grandson Oleg, but they all died before their parents. One way or another, but all Murom residents can be considered their spiritual children.

Death

The couple loved each other so much that they could not imagine life alone and prayed to God to let them die on the same day. The subjects were ordered to bury both in the same coffin.

When he felt that death was imminent, he sent a messenger for his wife. At this time, Efrosinya was doing needlework for the temple and asked for time to finish her embroidery. The messenger was sent a second and a third time, until the wife had to quit her job and tell her husband that she would not leave him. The couple spent the last minutes before their death in prayer and departed to another world at the same time. It happened in 1228.

after life

When the spouses were found dead, people disobeyed the request to bury them together. It was decided that since they took monastic vows, then Peter, as the legitimate prince, would be buried in Murom, and the grave of Fevronia was to be located in a monastery outside the city. Leaving the coffin for two, which was prepared in advance, they made a separate one for each, and for the funeral, the deceased were in different churches.

What was the surprise of the people when the bodies of the dead were not found in the morning where they were left. They ended up in their common coffin. People were surprised, but again made an attempt to separate the spouses. However, in the morning the miracle of love happened again. After that, the will of the princes was fulfilled and they are buried in a single coffin.

• a song about the battle of Zigurd with the serpent Fafnar and the union of the hero with things by the maiden;
• the saga of Ragnar and Ludbrock;
• the story of Tristan and Iseult.

Historical figures

Erasmus, who in worldly life bore the name Yermolai the Sinful, was a biographer. That his story was based on real events, no doubt. But about those who are known as Peter and Fevronia, is not known for certain. They could be the following people.

Memory

The grave was located at the temple of the Virgin. At Soviet power were transferred to the museum, and the Cathedral was destroyed. The shrine returned to the Church in 1989. Now a particle of the relics, together with the icon, is in the Moscow Church of the Ascension. Divine services dedicated to these saints are held there weekly. Part was stolen in 2012. Another part is in the Murom Monastery. The flow of pilgrims does not dry out there who ask for recovery and family well-being at Peter and Fevronia. The legend of their lives still lives on, although so many years have passed.

Day of Peter and Fevronia

• According to the old style, the holiday was celebrated on June 25.
• Now, according to the new style, the day of their memory is celebrated on July 8. It was then that their relics were transferred to the Nativity Cathedral, and the holy spouses died in April. For the Slavs, mowing and bathing began on July 8. Before him, it was impossible to enter the water without looking back. It was believed that mermaids lived on the shore. The saints were already revered then, and due to the coincidence of two holidays, the day was called Fevronia the Mermaid.
• September 19 is also considered their feast day to commemorate the transfer of relics in 1992. This holiday is intended for those who would like to marry on the day of these saints, since July 8 falls on Petrovsky, only engagements were made on this day.

monuments

After the approval of the national holiday in honor of the saints, they erect monuments as a reminder of an example of an ideal marital relationship. They are often visited by spouses. The opening of the monuments usually falls on July 8th. Such a large number sculptures no longer dedicated to any of the Orthodox saints.

Relation to history

In 2008, at the initiative of the Murom residents, with the assistance of Svetlana Medvedeva, the Day of Remembrance of the Saints became an official national holiday. This holiday is a Russian alternative to Valentine's Day on February 14th. The symbol is chamomile - such a simple, sunny and beloved flower. Also July 8 is the Day of the city of Murom.

Despite this, some consider history hypocritical and based on blackmail. But if you read it carefully, you can see that the Lord brought the paths of the saints together. Fevronia was a seer and knew that life with Peter was destined for her by God. Indeed, the saints lived a pious life, helped many people, sincerely loved and supported each other. This is what should be the basis of any happy and strong family.

The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity is a rather young holiday, but already loved by many Russians. It was first celebrated on July 8, 2008, and some immediately dubbed this holiday our, Orthodox answer to the Western one.

The date was not chosen by chance: on July 8, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the saints Prince Peter and his wife Fevronia. According to legend, they were a model of marital fidelity, harmony and piety reigned in their marriage.

The story of the Murom prince Peter and the daughter of the arrow-flyer - Fevronia - gained wide popularity thanks to the "Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom" written in the 16th century. According to researchers, the story combines two folk poetic plots: fairy tale about the fiery serpent and the tale of the wise maiden.

The story begins with the fact that the devil in the form of a snake begins to visit the wife of Paul, brother Peter. He takes the form of the princess's husband and tries to seduce her. The princess tells her husband about everything, and they decide to deceive the tempter to find out if he knows what death will overtake him. The serpent, succumbing to the flattering speeches of the princess, reveals the secret: "Death is destined for me from Peter's shoulder and from Agrikov's sword." Upon learning of this, Peter decides to help his brother, gets the treasured sword and kills the snake. However, the blood of the devil turns out to be poisonous, and Peter, splashed with it, becomes covered with terrible scabs and ulcers.

After a long search for a healer, Peter hears rumors about a wonderful girl named Fevronia, who has the gift of healing. The wise Fevronia agrees to cure the prince's brother, but on one condition: he must marry her. Peter was struck by this request, because he was from a noble family and it was not fitting for him to marry the daughter of a poison dart frog. Despite this, he promised Fevronia to make her his wife if she cured him. The girl fulfilled the will of the prince, and he became healthy, only Peter did not keep his word and, having recovered, immediately went back to Murom.

But at the request of the astute Fevronia, the unsuspecting prince left one scab on his body, and as soon as he set off on his way back, new scabs began to spread from this scab all over his body. Then Peter realized that he could not get away from his fate, and took Fevronia as his wife.

The boyars did not accept the new princess, since she was a commoner, and at first they drove the couple out of Murom. However, after the expulsion of the prince, strife began in Murom, and the nobles again turned to Peter with a request to rule over them. So the prince and his pious wife returned to their native patrimony and began to rule, and having reached old age, they took a vow of monasticism. In addition, as the legend says, the spouses were buried in different graves, but after the burial, their bodies miraculously ended up in the same coffin - so the monks realized that there was a blessing from God.

Interestingly, the genre of the story about Peter and Fevronia does not match either the historical story or the hagiographic story. Nevertheless, most historians agree that these people existed in real life. About who Peter and Fevronia are, what can prevent them from getting married on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, and why the church gave these saints another day of celebrating their memory, read in an interview with historian and writer Dmitry Volodikhin.

“The serpent is not a living dinosaur, but a spiritual monster”

Dmitry Mikhailovich, you are one of the authors of the book "Peter and Fevronia: Perfect Spouses." Tell us, did these characters still have real prototypes? And if so, why don't we know anything about a Murom prince named Peter?

Of course, Peter and Fevronia existed in historical Russia - these are real people, not literary characters. Another thing is that it is difficult to determine which of the princes of Murom known from the annals and other sources corresponds to St. Peter, known to us from his hagiographic story. You named one of the options - David Yurievich. There are other options: one of the princes of the XII century, one of the princes of the XIV century, with whom the Ovtsyn noble family is related. We cannot fully determine which of these princes was Saint Peter. His reign may have spanned a very wide period from the 12th to the 14th century. Nevertheless, no one expressed doubts about the historicity of St. Peter.

- "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom", as far as I know, was written only inXVIcentury. Who was its author? And is it true that it was written by order of the Moscow Metropolitan Macarius?

- “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia” was indeed written in the 16th century, in the era, - most likely, by the monk Yermolai-Erasmus. There have been some other versions, but this is the most common. However, in the Reading Menaion of Metropolitan Macarius (Great Menaion of the Reader - a collection of the 16th century from 12 books, for each month of the year, including the lives of the saints for every day, patristic teachings and apocrypha. - Note. ed.) this text is not included. "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia" is an independent text; it is the fruit of the creativity of a highly intellectual monastic scribe and is filled with Christian symbols. Therefore, for those who are immersed in the medieval Orthodox culture, this text is a set of ciphers and symbols behind which Christian content is revealed, and not just a conclusion.

Yes, because the story is based on the plot of the struggle with the devil, who in this case appeared to the wife of Paul, brother Peter, in the form of a snake. This is a classic plot not only for Christian literature, isn't it?

The plot of snake fighting is really common. Actually, the struggle is with the devil, and with their own sins. A person is overcome by temptations, and he can cope with them by turning to God, or not cope, and then he falls into sin. The serpent is such a symbol in The Tale of Peter and Fevronia. For the sixteenth-century intellectual scribe, of course, this was not some living dinosaur, but a spiritual monster, or, as they said then, a verbal one. This is what a person is overcome by if he is not strong in his faith, and especially if he is not baptized.

"The healing of Peter is not magic, but firmness in Christianity"

Everyone knows Saints Peter and Fevronia as the patrons of the family and marriage, and, according to popular belief, on the day of their remembrance are happy marriages. But here's what I read: it turns out that July 8 falls on Peter's post, when the sacrament of marriage in Orthodox Church is not done. Is it true that because of this, the church instituted a second celebration?

Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom really have two celebrations. One of the days of commemoration is summer, it is celebrated on July 8 (June 25, old style), the other is autumn, celebrated on the Sunday before September 19 (September 6, old style). The second holiday was established in honor of the transfer of the relics of the saints, which took place in 1992. Then the relics of the holy princes were transferred from the museum, where they were exhibited under Soviet rule, to the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Murom. There they are to this day.

- In 2008, a new holiday was established in Russia - the Day family, love and loyalty. It is timed to coincide with the feast day of Saints Peter and Fevronia. But, oddly enough, even in the Orthodox environment there were opponents of this holiday. They motivated this by the fact that Fevronia, according to legend, married Peter to herself almost by force. In addition, many argue that the couple did not have children, but, they say, which one without children Orthodox family! Tell us how you feel about these comments and the holiday that we celebrate on July 8?

Firstly, of course, in the "Tale of Peter and Fevronia" nowhere is it said that they have no children. Nowhere, in no place is it said! The fact that they took monastic vows before their death does not mean at all that they led a monastic life before their vows. The historical characters who could be St. Peter of Murom had children in two of the three alleged cases - this is well established. Therefore, I certainly have a positive attitude towards this holiday. The holiday is very good, useful; such things as the good of marriage, love and fidelity should be mentioned many times. From the fact that we once again remember this, the value will not fade, but will only shine with new force. So this is a big plus! As for the fact that St. Fevronia married St. Peter to herself, then here's the thing. After all, Peter, having promised to marry her, refused this and left. And in Christianity, a person must be directly consistent: yes - yes, no - no, the rest is from the evil one. The fact is that Saint Fevronia bears several symbolic functions: she is both the wisdom of God and the wise virgin. Her connection with the husband of power, a statesman, is what is necessary according to God's providence. And it was wrong on Peter's part to avoid it.

The story says that Fevronia had "the gift of insight and healing." Isn't it about witchcraft? What did the author mean?

No, the healing of Peter is not magic, but simply firmness in Christianity. Everything that happens through Saint Fevronia is the action of the grace of the Holy Spirit on earth. Of course, this is not magic or witchcraft, this is the power of the Lord.

In conclusion, we note that in 2018 inMuseum of Military History of the Russian Military Historical Society themed events will be heldto the day of memory of Saints Peter and Fevronia. Guests of the Museum of Moscow Streltsy "Streltsy Chambers" are waiting for free tours of the exposition "Serving people of the Moscow State" with a tour of the exhibition "Embroidered with silk, pearls and gold." On the tour you can see reconstructions of the costumes of contemporaries of Muscovite Russia (XVII century) and be inspired by the unique beauty of the old Russian women's costume, hand-sewn in accordance with ancient techniques from Russian and foreign fabrics by the masters of the traditional costume studio "Russian Beginnings".

In the museum military uniform clothes, there will also be free tours of the “Saved Relics” and “Saved Relics. Two centuries of glory”, during which visitors will be told about , which houses the museum, and about the love of the famous poet Afanasy Fet and Maria Botkina.

Events will also be held in Smolensk: will conduct free tours of the exposition and talk about the differences in family relationships in Smolensk, both during the period of power of the Moscow state, and during the rule of the Commonwealth.

Couples who have been married for more than 20 years in all RVIO Museums are waiting for memorable souvenirs and nice bonuses(if there is a supporting document).