- Статьи
- Society
- Patron Saints of the family: prayers to Peter and Fevronia for love, children and family happiness
Patron Saints of the family: prayers to Peter and Fevronia for love, children and family happiness
Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom are considered the main patrons of family, love and marital fidelity in the Orthodox tradition. Their life is perceived as an example of a Christian marriage based on mutual respect, patience and spiritual closeness. They are approached with a variety of requests — from the preservation of marriage to the birth of children. About how to pray correctly and what prayers to read on the day of saints' remembrance, which is celebrated on July 8, is in the material of Izvestia.
Who are Peter and Fevronia of Murom
Peter and Fevronia are Orthodox saints whose lives are connected with the ancient city of Murom. According to church tradition, the saints lived in the 13th century. Prince Peter was the ruler of Murom, he suffered from a serious illness. He received healing thanks to a simple girl Fevronia from the Ryazan land, who possessed wisdom and the gift of healing. After her recovery, the prince married her.
The story of their marriage was full of trials from the very beginning. The Murom nobility did not accept the commoner Fevronia, and the couple had to leave the city. However, soon the residents, faced with riots and turmoil, asked them to return. Peter and Fevronia began to rule again, showing mercy and justice.
They lived a long life in harmony. In their old age, the couple took monastic vows with the names David and Euphrosyne. According to legend, they died on the same day. In the 16th century, under Metropolitan Macarius, they were canonized, and since then their church-wide veneration has begun.
In the early 2000s, the legend of Peter and Fevronia formed the basis of the secular Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, which is celebrated annually on July 8 on Saints' Day, and since 2022 has the status of an official state holiday.
What do Peter and Fevronia pray for?
Saints Peter and Fevronia, as patrons of marriage, are most often addressed with prayers for the family. Believers ask to strengthen marriage, preserve love and mutual understanding between spouses. They are considered to be the intercessors of those who are going through a relationship crisis or family difficulties.
"First of all, these saints are approached in family matters, when there are problems in the family, in finding a husband or wife, because during their lifetime they set an example of a strong and pious marriage," said Priest Oleg Zhilyakov, dean of the Baltai district of the Saratov Diocese, in an interview with Izvestia.
Believers at the opening of the monument to Saints Peter and Fevronia
He added that saints are often asked for peace in the home. This applies not only to marital relations, but also to mutual understanding between parents and children. Believers also pray to Peter and Fevronia for the gift of a child, a successful pregnancy and the health of future offspring.
The clergyman pointed out that these prayers were approved by the Holy Synod and are read after the Divine Liturgy on the days of saints' remembrance. Their full texts are available in Orthodox sources, in particular, on the Abc of Faith website.
Prayer for family, peace and mutual understanding
"Oh, the great saints of God and the faithful wonderworkers, the faithful of Princess Peter and Princess Fevronia, the intercessors and guardians of the city of Murom, and the prayer book for all of us to the Lord! We run to you and we pray to you with strong fervor: bring your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners, and ask of His goodness all that our souls and bodies need: just faith, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, prosperity in good deeds, peace, fertility of the earth, air Good health to our souls and bodies, and eternal salvation. Intercede with the Heavenly King for peace, peace and prosperity to the Holy Church and the whole Russian country, and for all of us to live a prosperous life and a good Christian end. 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 your might, overshadow them with the gracious effect of your favorable prayers, and fulfill all their petitions for good. By God, holy miracle workers! Do not despise our prayers, which are offered up to you with tenderness, but be ever intercessors for us to the Lord and make us worthy, through your holy help, to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of heaven, so that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, worshipped by God in the Trinity, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Peter and Fevronia for love and a happy marriage
"Oh, the great saints of God and the faithful wonderworkers, the faithful of Princess Peter and Princess Fevronia, the intercessors of the city of Murom, the guardians of an honest marriage, and the prayer book for all of us! In the days of your earthly life, you have shown the image of piety, Christian love and fidelity to each other even to the grave, and thereby glorified lawful and blessed matrimony. For this reason, we run to you and pray with strong fervor: bring your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners, and ask for all that is good for our souls and bodies: righteous faith, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, and prosperity in good deeds. Above all, grant by your prayers chastity to those who wish to be married, fidelity and love to each other in the union of peace, unity of mind and body, an undisturbed stay and an unfading crown of heavenly glory in eternal life. By God, holy miracle workers! Do not despise our prayers, which are offered up to you with tenderness, but be our everlasting intercessors before the Lord and vouchsafe us through your intercession to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of heaven, so that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, worshipped in the Trinity by God, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer for the intercession of the saints before God
"Oh, the great saints of God and the faithful wonderworkers, the faithful of Princess Peter and Princess Fevronia, the intercessors and guardians of the city of Murom, and the prayer book for all of us to the Lord! We run to you and pray to you with strong fervor: bring your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners, and ask of His goodness all that our souls and bodies need: faith in the right, hope for the good, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, prosperity in good deeds, peace, fertility of the earth, air Good health, to our souls and bodies, and eternal salvation...> Protect our 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 your might, overshadow with the grace-filled effect of your favorable prayers, and fulfill all their petitions for good. <...> Do not despise our prayers, which are offered up to you with tenderness, but watch over us Intercessors to the Lord, and make us worthy, through your holy help, to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of heaven, so that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, worshipped by God in the Trinity, forever and ever. Amen to that."
How to pray to Peter and Fevronia correctly
The Orthodox Church emphasizes that the most important thing is the sincerity of prayer. There is no strict rule that requires the use of only certain texts. A believer can also address the saints in his own words if prayer comes from the heart.
"It is necessary to address the saints with a pure heart, bearing in mind that these are people who have shown by their image and life the Gospel of Christ and the image of Christ our Lord. Prayer should be meaningful, thoughtful and heartfelt," said Priest Oleg Zhilyakov.
A parishioner in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia are located
Priests also recommend lighting a candle or lamp before reading. And if the previous request has already been fulfilled, thank the saints for their assistance and put a candle in the church in their name. Some people bring flowers to the temple as a sign of gratitude and place them near the icons.
When does the church especially honor the memory of Peter and Fevronia
Saints' memorial days are celebrated twice a year. One of them falls on July 8, which coincides with the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. On this holiday, thousands of pilgrims go to Murom, to the Holy Trinity Monastery, where the relics of the holy spouses rest. Religious processions and celebrations are taking place in a number of regions.
Special attention is paid to married couples and newlyweds. At the same time, weddings are not held on the holiday itself. This is due to the fact that the date of July 8 falls on St. Peter's Fast, when the sacrament of marriage is not performed.
In the church calendar, there is another day dedicated to Peter and Fevronia. It was installed in memory of the transfer of their venerable relics in 1992. This date is transitional and is celebrated on the next Sunday preceding September 19th.
Parishioners in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior worship the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia, brought from the Holy Trinity Convent of Murom.
"On these dates, it is preferable to visit the temple, since it is there that the common prayer of the Church is read. But if there is no such possibility, you can read a home prayer near the icon or just mentally turn to the saints," explained Priest Zhilyakov.
Meanwhile, according to him, it is not necessary to link a prayer address to specific church dates.
"We are human beings and we set certain days of celebration. Sometimes we forget about praying to some saints, because it is impossible to address all of them at once every day. Therefore, the Church allocates special dates. However, prayer is appropriate on any other day," he stressed.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
