Every year on July 8, Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Peter and Fevronia Day. This holiday was originally religious, but since 2008 it officially received the status of the All-Russian Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.
Peter and Fevronia are Orthodox patrons of the main family values, whose marital union is a model of Christian marriage. According to an ancient legend, they became spouses after the daughter of a simple beekeeper Fevronia healed prince Peter of Murom from a terrible disease. Lovers were canonized by the church in 1547 for genuine Christian piety, true mutual love and loyalty. The day of Peter and Fevronia was widely celebrated until 1917. On this holiday, it was customary to attend temples where young people prayed and asked the Lord for love, and the older generation - for family well-being.
The initiative to revive the holiday in post-Soviet Russia belongs to the residents of Murom (Vladimir region), where the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia rest. The idea was supported by deputies of the State Duma and the government of the Russian Federation, as well as approved by most religious organizations of the country. The wife of the then president of Russia, Svetlana Medvedeva, took an active part in the revival of the holiday and suggested making the daisy flower a symbol of this day.
From year to year, the geography of the celebration of Family Day, love and fidelity is steadily expanding. The holiday is celebrated in almost every corner of Russia. Spouses and lovers, children and grandchildren, present each other with field daisies, trying to take care of their relatives. In all the churches of the country, solemn services are held dedicated to the memory of the holy Murom wonderworkers - Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia.
In most cities of Russia on this day there is a real "wedding boom". Many couples are sure that marriage on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity is a guarantee of a long and happy life together. The number of marriages registered on July 8 is growing annually. REGISTRY OFFICES and Wedding Palaces that day extend their work as much as possible to accept all couples who want to. Many regions of the Russian Federation are holding a special action "July 8 - Day without divorces."
