Peter and Fevronia: why the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity was created in Russia in their honor

On Monday, July 8, the celebration of Family, Love and Fidelity Day, which has Orthodox roots, will take place throughout Russia. This date was established at the state level in 2008, but in his homeland, in Murom, it was celebrated long before that. For more information about the holiday, its history, and the life of Saints Peter and Fevronia— see the Izvestia article.

The Story of Saints Peter and Fevronia

The source of the story about the life of the saints was the "Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom" from the middle of the XVI century. The author of this work is Ermolai—Erasmus (he called himself Sinful). Ermolai's story was inspired by a story that has been passed down from mouth to mouth in this region since the 12th century.

The author tells about Prince Peter of Murom, who was struck down by a terrible disease that covered his entire body with ulcers. His attempts to cure himself with medicines were unsuccessful. One night, when the prince had already come to terms with his illness, he had a prophetic dream: somewhere there lives a girl named Fevronia, who could cure him.

Peter found the girl in the Ryazan village of Laskovoe. Fevronia turned out to be very beautiful and kind, but unlike him, she came from a peasant family. Since childhood, she had studied the properties of herbs and plants and had a healing gift, so she agreed to help Peter. However, her condition was marriage after the prince's recovery, to which he agreed. When Fevronia restored Peter to his health, he, fearing an unequal marriage, left for his homeland, not keeping his promise.

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On July 8, 170 couples will register their marriages simultaneously in Moscow.

The disease soon returned, and the prince had to turn to the girl for help again. The second time, he kept his promise and, after recovering, married a commoner.

The local boyars wanted to see their protege with the prince, and not an ordinary girl, so they gave the prince an ultimatum: abdicate the throne and go into exile or terminate the marriage with Fevronia. Peter, being a faithful husband, decided to go into exile with his wife. Together they went through all the difficulties, Peter listened to his wife's advice, and she did not contradict her husband.

Soon the troubles began in Murom, many wanted to take the throne, but they could not come to a common decision. Remembering Peter, the boyars gathered a council and asked him to return to reign. Fevronia managed to gain the favor of the townspeople.

Peter and Fevronia lived together for many years until they took monastic vows under the names David and Euphrosyne. In monasteries, they prayed to God to die on the same day, and bequeathed their bodies to be placed in one coffin with a thin partition.

According to legend, Peter and Fevronia really died on the same day and hour, on June 25 (July 8, new style), 1228. However, they did not want to bury them in the same coffin — it was considered incompatible with monastic rank. Nevertheless, by the morning of the funeral, their bodies miraculously appeared next to each other. This happened more than once, and on the third day they were buried in the same coffin.

The couple were buried in the cathedral church of Murom in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was erected over the relics of saints in 1553 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. They had been canonized shortly before, in 1547. Now their relics rest in the Holy Trinity Convent in Murom.

The history of the establishment of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity

The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity dates back to 2008. It was then that the proposal of the residents of Murom to create and celebrate this day throughout Russia was approved by many public organizations and figures, as well as the Russian Orthodox Church. The initiative to establish a new state holiday was approved by the Federation Council and the State Duma.

The day of his celebration was chosen on July 8, which in Murom was already celebrated annually in honor of Saints Peter and Fevronia.

The daisy, which grows everywhere in Russia at this time of the year and symbolizes purity and dreams of love and fidelity, was chosen as the symbol of the day. In 2013, a medal was released for this holiday, on one side of which a daisy is depicted, and on the other — Saints Peter and Fevronia. Thus, the medal combined an Orthodox holiday and a secular one. It is given to couples who have lived together for at least 25 years and are an example of the strength of family values.

Since 2022, by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the holiday has been official.

The purpose of celebrating this day for many is to preserve family values — love, loyalty and mutual understanding, as well as the spiritual and moral education of the younger generation.

It is important to note that 2008, when the creation of the Day of Love, Family and Fidelity was approved, was declared the Year of the Family in Russia. In 2023, it was announced that 2024 would also be the Year of the Family. This was done with the aim of popularizing state policy in the field of family protection, as well as preserving traditional family values.

Family, Love and Fidelity Day: holiday traditions

The geography of the celebration of Family Day, Love and Fidelity has already spread throughout Russia. Therefore, citizens of the country attend church services on this day and read a prayer to Peter and Fevronia. The patron saints of the holiday pray for well-being, prosperity and harmony. Those who cannot have a child seek treatment for various diseases and infertility.

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A series of events dedicated to children and parents is designed to draw public attention to the importance of preserving traditional values.

As part of the celebration of this day, thematic events are held throughout Russia: concerts, festivals, workshops, and sports competitions. Traditionally, the birthplace of the holiday, Moore, becomes the center of the celebration. A stage is being set up in the city on the banks of the Oka River, where a festive concert is taking place, where popular performers and bands perform.

The presentation of medals will also be the main part of the celebration in 2024.

On the Day of Love, Family and Fidelity, pilgrims come to the Holy Trinity Convent in Murom and pray at the relics of Peter and Fevronia, asking for love, marriage, children and much more.

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The most unusual traditions and mystical rituals of the ancient holiday

On this day, there are a number of restrictions that believers observe:

— you can not quarrel, sort things out, enter into conflicts;

— in order not to "sew up" your happiness and well-being, you can not do sewing and knitting;

— also, you shouldn't do hard work.;

— due to the observance of the Peter's Fast, a wedding in a church is prohibited. At the same time, it is not prohibited to register a marriage at the registry office, but in this case it is worth postponing marital intimacy until the wedding.;

— fortune-telling on daisies and picking these flowers is also prohibited.

The July 8 holiday is worth spending with your family and friends, visit the temple and pray. In addition, there is no ban on marriage registration at the registry office. There was also a tradition of making a marriage proposal to a lover on the Day of Love, Family and Fidelity.