Who are Peter and Fevronia

Not so long ago in Russia was established the new people's Orthodox holiday – the Day of family, love and fidelity". Its date falls on July 8. This number is chosen by chance. This day is celebrated by Murom spouses of Peter and Fevronia are the patrons of marriage. Who were these people?

If you don't count the legends of the land of Murom, about the life of St. Peter and Fevronia tells the poetic story of Hermolaus Prekrasnogo. It was written at the request of the Metropolitan of Moscow, Macarius, and confined to the Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church, where the couple was ranked among the saints.

According to legend, a dying serpent-tempter sprayed with the blood of the younger brother of the Murom Prince Peter. What his whole body was covered with festering wound that could not heal, no healer. Healed the young Prince the daughter of a collector of honey by the name of Fevronia, having uncorked the salve. Under the terms of the girl, Peter was supposed to marry her after his recovery, but he decided to pay the rich gifts. But Febronia did not accept them. After a while the disease to the Prince returned. He was forced to turn back to the girl for help and this time have kept her word.

Soon Paul died, and the princely power passed to Peter. The boyars were dissatisfied with the low birth of the Princess. Asked her to take what she wants, and to leave the city. Fevronia only took husband. After they left the city, the bloodshed started. The inhabitants of the city begged the couple to return.

The princely couple ruled Murom true: the couple decorated temples, reconciling warring, helped the needy, was faithful and loyal to each other: Peter is not left Febronia for the sake of human slander and criticism, and she in turn left him in difficult moments. They lived to a ripe old age. At the end of life took monastic vows and was punished to bury them together. Died Peter and Fevronia in one day and hour. But the last Testament of the spouses has not been done: put them in separate coffins and scattered to different churches. Soon, however, the deceased were found together. People tried several times to separate the bodies of Peter and Fevronia, but they will still be around.

Although the life of the righteous is written based on the legends, but there are records, (for example, the resurrection and others) confirming the Board of Murom in 1203 by Prince, which cured the girl from a simple class, later became his wife. Febronia (Euphrosyne) helped Peter (David) practical advice, but also engaged in charity. They reigned for 25 years, they had two sons and a grandson. According to annalistic data the eldest son of George and grandson Oleg was killed during a battle with the Volga-Kama Bulgars, and the youngest son of Svyatoslav died a few days before the death of his parents.

The veneration of Peter and Fevronia began long before their canonization. In the 15th century passed this Holy service. In 1446 Murom wife became patrons of the Russian tsars.

For the first time like a perfect married couple Peter and Fevronia are mentioned in the Epistle of Metropolitan Macarius to Tsar Ivan IV. Ivan the terrible revered saints even as assistants in military business.

Over the centuries many Royal personages came to venerate the relics of Murom's Wonderworkers to eldress: the tsarina Irina Godunova, Peter the great, Catherine II, Nicholas I, Alexander II and many others. To this day thousands of people come to Murom to venerate the Holy relics of the spouses. And the priests lead a special book in which to record the miracles happening to believers after the prayer of Peter and Fevronia.