Family, Love and Fidelity Day: the history and traditions of the holiday
On July 8, Russians will celebrate the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. The holiday is dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of Saints Peter and Fevronia, who are considered the patrons of marriage in the Russian Orthodox Church. A special family day was first established in Murom in the 1990s, and over time it became popular in other Russian cities. The date is meant to remind of the importance of family in everyone's life. For more information about the history and traditions associated with it, see the Izvestia article.
The history of the establishment of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity
Family, Love and Fidelity Day is celebrated annually on July 8th. The date was not chosen by chance — earlier on this day, Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom were honored, who inspired people to create a family holiday.
In the 1990s, the veneration of these saints was resumed in Murom, Vladimir region. Later, the city administration proposed making the feast of Peter and Fevronia a Russian version of Valentine's Day. The idea seemed interesting to both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Federal Assembly.
For the first time outside Murom, Family, Love and Fidelity Day was celebrated on July 8, 2008. In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which the holiday is now official.
Family, Love and Fidelity Day – 2025: day off or not
July 8th in 2025 falls on a Tuesday. Despite the fact that the holiday itself has the status of a state holiday, it is still a working day. In 2022, a bill was submitted to the State Duma on the establishment of a day off on the occasion of the main family holiday, but so far there has been no vote on the document.
The legend of Peter and Fevronia: who were they?
The story of the life and love of Peter and Fevronia is told in the novel of the same name from the 1540s, the author of which is the monk Ermolai-Erasmus. However, the saints are not mentioned in historical chronicles.
According to the Great Russian Encyclopedia, Peter and Fevronia are fictional characters of folk legends. A number of scientists also believe that the prototype of the legendary spouses may be Prince David Yurievich of Murom and his wife, whose name is unknown.
According to legend, Prince Peter of Murom became seriously ill with leprosy, his body was covered with blisters and scabs. The best doctors went to him, but nothing helped to cope with the disease — on the contrary, the prince's condition only worsened. One day, Peter had a dream in which it was reported that the daughter of a beekeeper from a village near Ryazan named Fevronia would help him get rid of the disease. The prince believed in the dream and began searching for the girl.
Mosaic depicting Fevronia of Murom on the facade of the Church of Saints Peter and Fevronia in Novorossiysk
It turned out that Fevronia really lived in this place and was engaged in herbal medicine. She agreed to help the prince, but on one condition — after his recovery, he had to marry her. Peter accepted the offer. After a few days, the leprosy really receded. The joyful prince forgot about his promise and left for his native lands. However, halfway through the journey, the scabs and ulcers began to reappear. Peter immediately went back to Fevronia, fell on his knees and begged for forgiveness. The girl cured the prince for the second time. After that, he kept his promise and married her.
They lived in a happy marriage all their lives, and in their declining years they became monks and began to live in different monasteries. Peter and Fevronia died on the same day and hour, on June 25 according to the old style, on July 8 according to the new. Saints Peter and Fevronia were canonized as locally venerated in 1547. The relics of the couple rest in the Holy Trinity Convent in Murom to this day.
Family, Love and Fidelity Day: holiday traditions
Traditionally, the center of celebration of the Day of Family, Love and fidelity is Moore. Pilgrims come to Holy Trinity Monastery and ask for love and for finding a couple, for a happy marriage and for solving family problems. On July 8, musical concerts and fairs are held on the banks of the Oka River for residents and guests of the city.
Monument to the Holy Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom, patrons of family and marriage on the territory of the Holy Trinity Convent in Murom
Every year, holiday programs are prepared in various cities of the country for the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, in which everyone can take part and have a good time with their relatives and friends. Due to the fact that July 8 is not a day off, events are held on different dates, starting from the 5th in 2025. Museums and libraries often offer visitors to get acquainted with the lives of princely wives and daughters, see the monks' family jewels and hear family stories. Events are held in such a way that children can take part in them, for this purpose not only lectures are given, but also master classes are held.
The symbol of the celebration is considered to be a daisy, it is these flowers that are given to girls. And also "fevronki" — the domestic equivalent of valentines: postcards with the image of daisies. The long-awaited event of the day is the awarding of medals to couples "For love and loyalty to the family", which are awarded to couples who have been married for more than 25 years, "who have gained fame among fellow citizens for the strength of family foundations" and "who have raised children as worthy members of society." It was released in 2013 for this particular holiday, with Peter and Fevronia depicted on one side and a daisy on the other.
In addition to the usual events that are organized in cities for the holiday, Orthodox Russians also take part in a special service where they pray for the strengthening of the bonds of marriage and the multiplication of love.
During the celebration of Family, Love and Fidelity Day, church parishes also organize family celebrations with concerts, songs and dances, contests, outdoor dining and other activities. Husbands give their wives bouquets of daisies or white chrysanthemums that resemble them. Many married couples prefer to spend this day outdoors.
It is important to note that Family, Love and Fidelity Day is a popular date for marriage. On July 8, 2025, on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, the II All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Connecting Hearts", which will last until the 13th. The festival will open with a festive procession of newlyweds, followed by a mass wedding ceremony for 170 couples.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
