Not so long ago, a new national Orthodox holiday was established in Russia - "Day of Family, Love and Fidelity." Its date falls on July 8th. This number is not random. On this day they honor the Murom spouses Peter and Fevronia, who are the patrons of the marriage. Who were these people in life?
Apart from the traditions of Murom’s land, the poetic tale of Yermolai the Sinful tells about the life of the saints Peter and Fevronia. It was written at the request of the Metropolitan of Moscow Macarius and is dedicated to the Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church, where the spouses were reckoned with the host of saints.
According to legend, a dying snake-tempter sprayed the blood of the younger brother of the prince of Murom - Peter. From which his whole body was covered with non-healing wounds that could not be cured by any healer. He healed the young prince, the daughter of a honey collector named Fevronia, preparing him a healing ointment. According to the girl’s terms, Peter was supposed to marry her after recovery, but he decided to pay off with rich gifts. But Fevronia did not accept them. After some time, the disease returned to the prince. He was forced to turn to the girl again for help and this time kept his word.
Soon, Paul died, and princely power passed to Peter. The boyars were dissatisfied with the low origin of the princess. They suggested that she pick up whatever she wanted and leave the city. Fevronia took only her husband. After they left the city, bloodshed began. Residents of the city asked the spouses to return back.
The princely couple ruled Murom fairly: the couple decorated the temples, reconciled the warring, helped the needy, were faithful and loyal to each other: Peter did not leave Fevronia for human libel and criticism, and she, in turn, did not leave him in difficult times. They lived to a very old age. At the end of life they took tonsure and ordered to bury them together. Peter and Fevronia died at the same time and day. But the last covenant of the spouses was not fulfilled: they were put in separate coffins and carried to different churches. However, the deceased were soon found together. Several times people tried to separate the bodies of Peter and Fevronia, but they still found themselves nearby.
Although the life of the righteous is written on the basis of legends, there are chronicles (for example, Voskresenskaya and others) confirming the rule of Murom in 1203 by the prince, who was cured by a girl from a simple estate, which later became his wife. Fevronia (Euphrosinia) helped Peter (David) with practical advice, and also did charity work. They ruled 25 years, they had two sons and a grandson. According to chronicles, the eldest son Yuri and grandson Oleg died during the battle with the Volga-Kama Bulgars, and the youngest son Svyatoslav died a few days before the death of his parents.
The veneration of Peter and Fevronia began long before their canonization. As early as the 15th century, services were held for these saints. In 1446, the Murom couple became patrons of the Russian tsars.
For the first time as an ideal married couple, Peter and Fevronia are mentioned in the message of Metropolitan Macarius to Tsar Ivan IV. Ivan the Terrible revered saints also as assistants in the military business.
Over the centuries, many of the highest persons came to bow to the relics of the Murom miracle workers: Tsarina Irina Godunova, Peter I, Catherine II, Nicholas I, Alexander II and many others. And to this day, thousands of people come to Murom to bow to the holy relics of the spouses. And the clergy keep a special book in which they write down miracles that happen to believers after prayers to Peter and Fevronia.
