In what century did Peter and Fevronya live? Icon of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom

Question about the mention of Peter and Fevronia in historical chronicles remains open - direct references, unfortunately, have not been preserved. But many are inclined to believe that the “Tale” is about the famous Prince Davyd Yuryevich and his wife Euphrosyne, since in monasticism they took the names of Peter and Fevronia.

The famous "Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom" in the form as we know it appeared only in 1547. It was designed by order of Metropolitan Macarius by the writer Ermolai-Erasmus for the Moscow Church Council, at which the saints were canonized.

It’s great that Russia has a Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. The initiative is bright and kind; it is love that is sorely lacking today. But it is important that in “The Tale” there is not a word about the “romance” that is familiar to us between a man and a woman.

Yes, the story is about fidelity, devotion and Christian love. But first of all - about loneliness in the face of God from birth to death, about the fact that the kingdom on earth is possible only after the recognition of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Peter is a "stone"

The story begins with the reign of Paul and his wife. The devil, “hating the human race from time immemorial,” sent the poor woman a terrible serpent-seducer in the guise of her husband.

Of course, the spouses did not like the reptile’s visits, to put it mildly. At the instigation of her husband, the woman found out terrible secret snake - that he is destined to die from Peter’s shoulder and from Agrikov’s sword. And Peter, Paul's brother, hearing this, "without hesitation or doubt" took over the mission.

In a story, always pay attention to the names of the main characters. In this case, it is very important that in Greek the name Peter means “stone” (by the way, this is how pierre is translated from French). The key reference is in the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus Christ addresses the apostle: “And I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Why "stone"? The Holy Fathers give different options interpretations. Some say that this means “strong in Christ” and the Church rests on the unshakable faith of ordinary people. And in the interpretation of the saint righteous John Kronstadt under the main stone we must understand Jesus Christ himself - "The stone was Christ."

Peter from our story justifies the name given to him with his faith, steadfastness and strength. He defeats the serpent with a sword found in the altar wall of the church (which is also an important symbol). So Peter conquers the serpent by the power of God.

It didn't all start with romance

The beginning of the relationship between Peter and Fevronia is not entirely about love. Peter, infected with the poisonous blood of the killed snake, was mortally ill, and Fevronia (translated from Greek Euphrosyne - “well-meaning, joyful”) promises to cure the man if he marries her. The prince was embarrassed by the inequality of marriage: “Well, how can a prince take the daughter of a poison dart frog as his wife!” After the first treatment, he never married, for which he was punished with new scabs.

The second attempt was more successful. This time Fevronia was given " a firm word", and after repeated treatment, Peter marries.

It is important to say that Peter’s doubts were not caused by a whim, but by a sense of princely duty to marry an equal. After all, Fevronia’s ignoble origin becomes the cause of many discords, and the boyars are preparing a whole conspiracy against the spouses.

The story also teaches us that all earthly power comes from God. The cunning boyars expelled the couple from Murom and subsequently paid for it.

Peter faced a difficult choice. Giving up his reign and leaving everything to unreliable boyars is an extremely irresponsible step for a ruler. And yet “The blessed prince acted according to the Gospel: he neglected his reign, so as not to break the commandments of God”.

After all the ups and downs, Peter and Fevronia return safely, “and they ruled in that city, keeping all the commandments and instructions of the Lord impeccably, praying incessantly and giving alms to all people.”

Spouses, but monks

The ideal life of a Christian is monasticism. Of course, in worldly life the best solution is big family, but it cannot be represented as an ontologically highest value. Everyone has their own lonely path on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

According to the story, before they met, Peter and Fevronia preferred to spend time alone: “It was Peter’s custom to walk alone in churches”; “A girl sat alone at the loom and weaved canvas.”.

Whether the spouses had children is a question. The story itself does not say this - only that Peter and Fevronia gave themselves entirely to God and served people, "like a child-loving father and mother." But if we accept the version about the prototype - Davyd Yuryevich - then the couple still had three children.

At the end of their lives, according to the story, Peter and Fevronia took monasticism and died on the same day. Their bodies were transferred to a single coffin, but with a thin partition, symbolizing loneliness in death.

The story tells us the main thing: the goal of a family is not at all cozy human happiness with children in your arms and a golden retriever by the fireplace. The goal is to look into immortality and give new little souls a chance to find a path to salvation.

A family is a small church where relatives help each other live a righteous life. Think about death every day, especially if you are surrounded by cute children and a retriever. Love and take care of each other, rejoice but - memento mori. This is what it teaches us strong family Peter and Fevronia.

This article is called Tests for Peter and Fevronia, since these saints had the burden of carrying their love through humiliation and hardship for themselves.

Small Ascension on Nikitskaya

In Moscow, on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord (“Little Ascension”), opposite the Conservatory, there is a chapel of Russian saints. These saints are glorified by the Church not as saints, although they accepted the schema at the end of their lives, nor as martyrs and confessors, although they were expelled from their city. Fasting and prayer were part of them family life, they were subjected to humiliation and danger because they remained faithful to each other.

Saints Peter and Fevronia gave an example of an ideal Christian family. It is for this that they are awarded church veneration, which is why their life for more than eight centuries has served as an example of the proper attitude of spouses towards church marriage and towards each other. We would like to address the life experiences of these people in this article.

We learn the circumstances of their lives from “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia,” written in the first half of the 16th century. Its author was the priest of one of the Kremlin cathedrals, Ermolai (in monasticism, Erasmus), who was part of the circle of church writers and hagiographers formed around St. Macarius of Moscow.

More than 300 years passed from the time of the repose of the saints to the time of writing the “Tale” (1), and although it can be assumed that the local began immediately after their common death (which was probably especially facilitated by the miracle that happened shortly after it), the oral tradition does not preserved many facts of their lives.

Ermolai-Erasmus was faced with the task of recreating the appearance of these people, hidden both by the veil of time and by the secret of holiness, which protects every righteous person from immodest glances. Such a reconstruction must be not only reliable, but also accessible. Therefore, Ermolai-Erasmus, in order to make his narrative colorful and entertaining, in order to captivate the reader with it, supplemented it with folklore material.

The result was not so much a “biography” of saints(2), but rather a work that, together with a few facts from the life of Peter and Fevronia, teaches the doctrine of Christian marriage, and at the same time fascinating and accessible - thanks to the involvement of folklore motifs - to the 16th century reader(3 )

It is as a story about how a Christian family is born, what stages it goes through in its formation, what its purpose is, what trials befall the spouses and what crown is destined for those who have labored worthily in this field, we suggest reading this “Tale” again.

Source: photosight.ru

Background

The life together of two people cannot begin suddenly, “by magic.” A long, difficult path must be covered before a person who until then - no matter what circumstances and persons surrounded him - was ultimately alone in the world and in the face of God (4), could approach another unique person and give her will: to unite with her into one mind, into one heart, “into one flesh” - that is, to create a family. One of the most important stages On this path there is a meeting of two people who, by the unknown Divine Providence about them, are destined to become husband and wife.

However, Ermolai-Erasmus begins his “Tale” not with a description of the meeting of Peter and Fevronia. He prefaces it with the story of Peter’s snake-fighting.

Prince Pavel lived in Murom, and something happened to him. A certain snake began to fly to his wife with the aim of inducing her to commit fornication, and for everyone around him he appeared in the guise of legal spouse. The woman, by cunning, learned the secret of the serpent: he can only die “from Peter’s shoulder, from Agrikov’s sword.”

Paul really had younger brother Peter, who was distinguished by his piety from his youth, had the “custom of going to churches alone.” In one temple, a certain youth appeared to him and pointed out Agrikov’s sword, which was kept in the altar wall. Then Peter realized that it was he who had to kill the serpent.

Peter had to endure a difficult test, because the serpent was in his form sibling. And although Peter had just seen Prince Paul in his chambers, later short time, he saw in his daughter-in-law’s chambers someone who was as similar to Pavel as two peas in a pod. Because of this similarity, it was not easy for him to lift his sword against the werewolf. However, Peter gathered all his courage and killed the evil serpent (5).

The source of this story will not be in doubt: it was the motif of the duel between the knight and the monster, so common in fairy tales. We do not know how this episode of “The Tale” relates to real events the life of the historical prince Peter and his older brother Paul. Most likely, such a correlation was not intended by the author. Oral tradition, apparently, did not convey information about Peter’s youth to Ermolai-Erasmus.

He decided to make up for the lack of this information by using a folklore motif, which the reader had to interpret allegorically (6). With this understanding, this story can serve as an image of the path Prince Peter had to go through before meeting Fevronia and what was the reason for this meeting.

Without going into details, we note that in Chapter I of the Tale “attention is focused on the psychological experiences and doubts of Prince Peter, who must decide to kill the snake in the appearance of his brother” (7). He double checks his guess that the person he saw in his daughter-in-law's upper room in the guise of his brother is actually a snake.

These doubts are not accidental: Prince Peter is aware of the degree of responsibility that lies with him. Only he can kill the snake that threatens his brother’s family, but at the same time, if he shows too much zeal, he can become a fratricide.

In fact, this is an image of the life path of a person who is endowed with power, in this case a prince, responsible for his subjects. But not only the prince. At the same time, this is an image of a man’s vocation in general: every man in his own life path takes responsibility for others, that responsibility when the life of another depends on his determination and courage.

But while Peter is alone, the burden of such responsibility turns out to be destructive for him. It’s not that he failed in his task, on the contrary: the serpent is defeated, but before his death he sprinkled Peter with his poisonous blood, and Peter falls ill. The illness of Prince Peter, that is, in the language of allegories: a certain inferiority of his nature in general, is the plot of “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia.” Moreover, Peter’s illness is so serious, the inferiority of his nature is so significant that if it is not corrected, life itself is impossible for Prince Peter. His courage, his determination, all other human qualities have not left him, but he is “harassed” and cannot use them.

Only a connection with another person can heal him.

The ailing Peter goes in search of healing.

Meeting-Recognition

The search for healing comes down to the prince, according to Ermolai-Erasmus, to the search for a doctor, that is, a person who would help him heal. Moreover, the search is a conscious action aimed at getting rid of the inferiority of one’s nature. Only the Creator can correct such defectiveness, and, thus, the search for a healer for Peter is a search for the Will of God for himself.

It is this search that leads him to a meeting with the maiden Fevronia, who turns out to be able to heal Peter. It is noteworthy that the prince meets her when his illness led him to complete exhaustion: by that time he was already so weak that he could neither walk on his own nor sit on a horse. His mental strength was also already running out. So the Lord reveals His Will about us only when we have reached the greatest tension in our questioning, and our whole being has already become thinner in order to accept His Will.

Ermolai-Erasmus describes this meeting as follows. One of Prince Peter’s servants met an unusual maiden in the village of Laskovo: the daughter of a beekeeper-“tree climber” was modestly weaving cloth in her house, and a hare was jumping in front of her. But he was even more amazed by her wise speeches. Fevronia appears here in an aura of folklore images: the author uses in his “Tale” a fairy-tale plot about a seven-year-old girl (that is, doing seven things at once), whose intelligence forces the prince to marry her.

It turned out that she also knew how to heal the prince:

“Yes, bring your prince here. If he is soft-hearted and humble in his response, may he be healthy!” says Fevronia. The prince, through his youths, asks her: “Tell me, maiden, who is there to even heal me? May he heal me and give me much wealth.” She said without hesitation: “Although I am there to heal, I do not demand that he accept the property. The imam’s word to him is this: if the imam does not have a spouse for him, you do not need me to heal him” (8).

The condition for the prince's healing is marriage to Fevronia. And in the language of allegory, this marriage itself is a medicine that makes up for the lack of Peter’s nature. Thus, Fevronia’s words contain the answer to Peter’s question about what the Lord’s plan for him is. But Peter had not yet recognized her answer as the Will of God about himself: “How can a tree-dwelling prince want to take a wife!”(9), he mentally exclaims.

The plot of “The Tale” develops according to the laws of the fairy tale about the wise maiden, but at the same time the author also reveals the laws of development human relations. After two people meet, there comes a period during which they get to know each other. What happens in life over a long time consists of many stages, in Ermolai-Erasmus it is compressed into one episode: the episode of Fevronia’s test by Peter.

The prince sets an impossible task for Fevronia: while he is washing in the bathhouse, she must weave enough linen from a bunch of flax so that there is enough for him to wear clothes, and then sew them. This is not a test of needlework skills, but of Fevronia’s wisdom. Peter prefaces his task with the words: “This girl wants a wife for wisdom.”

He doubts whether she really has spiritual vision, vision of the heart, or whether her speeches are just a trick explained by the desire not to miss a brilliant match. In other words, Peter tests the mind of Fevronia - that mind which, according to patristic understanding, is the focus of the human personality. He wants to know not her words, not the skills that were given by her upbringing, but Fevronia herself in the depths of her heart.

And this is what Fevronia answers to the servant who handed over the prince’s task to her:

“Come on up to our oven and pick up some logs from the beds and carry them.” He, having listened to her, took down the log. She, having measured out an inch, said: “Cut this from this log.” He will cut it off. She said: “Take this duck log, and go and give it to your prince from me, and say to him: at what hour will I comb this weight, and let your prince prepare for me in this duck the camp and the whole building, with which his linen will be woven.”<…>The prince said: “Wonderful maidens, it’s impossible to eat a tree in such a small time and create a calico structure in such a small time!”<…>The girl renounced: “Is it possible for a man of a man’s age to eat flax in a small year, and in the same year he will remain in the bathhouse, create srachitsa, and ports, and ubrusets?” The servant told the prince. The prince was amazed at her answer” (10).

Peter is not just surprised at how successfully Fevronia got out of her difficult situation. He is surprised as a person to whom the innermost inner appearance of another has been revealed. Without knowledge of a person, without the innermost being of his being being revealed to us, our relationships with him, which in the future can become family relationships, are impossible. But this knowledge in itself does not mean that we are ready to accept this particular person as our integral part, as our destiny.

Fevronia, who emerged from the ordeal with honor, heals the prince. But he is not going to get married and goes to Murom. And here it is discovered that his illness is not limited to skin peeling, that its causes are much deeper. On the way home he becomes covered in scabs again. A certain inferiority of his nature is now revealed to Peter himself. She can only be cured by connecting with the girl whose words so struck the prince. Peter returns to the village of Laskovo and agrees to marry Fevronia. Only now is he completely healed. Together with the young princess, Peter returns to Murom.

Subsequently, Ermolai-Erasmus no longer resorted to borrowings from folklore in his “Tale”. We can assume that he uses the oral Murom tradition, which has preserved real facts from the lives of the saints, which now has as its center the fulfillment of Christ’s commandments, as Ermolai-Erasmus emphasizes:

“She returned to her homeland, the city of Murom, and lived in all piety, leaving nothing behind God’s commandments” (11).

What the fulfillment of the commandments in relation to each other consists of becomes the subject of further narration.

Tests

“The Life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom in the painting of Alexander Prostev”

The period of recognition, when two people walked towards each other, no matter how beautiful it may be in itself, is still only a prelude to family life.

From the moment of marriage, a fundamentally different life begins for these two, full of its own joys, but also special trials, previously unknown to the young people.

It is on the trials that befell Peter and Fevronia that Ermolai-Erasmus focuses his attention. He does this because in such situations the path of following God’s commandments is most clearly revealed.

The first test that Peter and Fevronia (like all young families) undergo is everyday life test, namely, the difference in habits and everyday skills that each of them received in the process of upbringing and accumulated during their independent life.

Meeting and getting to know each other cannot reveal this difference in detail that exists between young people; only living together can reveal and smooth it out over time; Moreover, the environment of young people can both facilitate and complicate the process of getting used to each other and erasing this difference. It is the second option that we observe in the lives of Peter and Fevronia.

We find them at the time when Peter began to reign in Murom after the death of his brother Paul. And then the difference in origin and upbringing that existed between him and Fevronia becomes the reason for the next incident.

“Once upon a time, someone from those who were standing next to her came to the noble Prince Petrov to infest her with nudes, as if “from whom,” he said, “he leaves his table without rank; The noble Prince Peter, although I was tempted, ordered me to dine with him at the same table. And as if I had finished dinner, she, as was her custom, took the crumbs from the table into her hand. Prince Peter took me by the hand and, reconnaissance, saw good-smelling Lebanon and incense. And from that I will leave the days so that you will not be tempted” (12).

Peter, albeit gently, wants to reproach and wean his wife from her habit. With his gesture, he seems to want to say: “Look! Why are you doing this? These are just crumbs!” And then what was just crumbs turns out to be incense.

Peter’s gesture, in which one can sense a shade of contempt over his wife and, perhaps, an already prepared lesson, turns out to be meaningless: the “custom” of the wife, even if incompatible with the habits of her husband and even contrary to court etiquette (this “rite” is only a human institution), is holy and should be accepted by the husband with reverence or corrected with patience and without exaltation over her. Moreover, he should not accept someone’s slander against his wife. Every third person is a stranger to a husband and wife.

Peter “from those days” stopped “tempting” Fevronia, checking whether her behavior corresponded to a certain order accepted in his house. In their relationship, the main thing was love and mutual patience, and not the desire to subordinate the other to their own habits.

But trials arise not only within the family; they often come from outside as well. Such a test befell the family of Prince Peter. Many years later, when peace and love were already permanent guests in his home, The people of Murom launched a persecution against their princess.

“And after many times, his furious boy came to him, roaring: “We want everything, prince, to serve you righteously and have you as autocrat, but we don’t want Princess Fevronia to rule over our wives. If you want to be an autocrat, let him be a princess. Fevronia, taking the wealth to her satisfaction, will go away, whatever she wants!” Blessed Peter, as if it were not his custom, having no rage about anything, answered with humility: “Yes, he speaks to Fevronia, and as he speaks, then we hear” (13).

The reason for the boyars’ request is the envy of their wives, which Ermolai-Erasmus explains in two ways. On the one hand, they envy the fact that the peasant woman has become a princess, on the other hand, they see God’s obvious favor towards the wife of their prince:

“His princess Fevronia, his boyar, does not love his wives for the sake of his own, as if the princess were not of the fatherland for her sake, but I glorify God for the good for the sake of her life” (14).

The boyars not only demand the expulsion of Fevronia, from their very first words they think of the spouses separately: “We want Peter to stay, but Fevronia to leave; take yourself another wife, don’t you care!” From the very beginning, they do not seem to take into account that their prince and princess are husband and wife, that they are one, that people cannot separate them; from the very beginning they neglect marriage as a sacrament, as an institution of God.

We may be surprised: why does Peter send the boyars to Fevronia, why does he not immediately refuse them? Peter's answer demonstrates one of the most important features of Christian marriage, namely, that each spouse has authority over the other. Moreover, this power extends to the most intimate aspects of the other’s personality. The boyars pose the question this way: either you, Peter, are an autocrat, or you are Fevronia’s husband. Peter is a prince, an autocrat by vocation.

He, according to the boyars themselves, has all necessary qualities In order to be at the head of the city, he probably has a personal inclination towards this. Moreover, he was placed in this place by God's Providence. But it is precisely in the question of whether he should be a prince, that is, whether he should follow his natural and Divine calling, that he turns to his wife for advice. She has to share with him all the hardships of his path, so she has the right to agree to her husband’s path or to close this path for him (15).

And so the boyars throw a feast, hoping to get Fevronia’s consent to leave the city when her mind may be clouded by wine.

“They, in their frenzy, filled with desperation, plotted to establish a feast. And I will create. And when she was joyful, she began to stretch out her cold voices, like a pleading, depriving the saint of God’s gift, which God communed with her inseparably even after death” (16).

With his last words, Ermolai-Erasmus reveals the essence of what is happening. The boyars not only have political gain in mind and indulge the vanity of their wives, but are gradually encroaching on something more: they dare to separate husband and wife, to take away God’s gift from Fevronia, which God gave it to her.

These words can be repeated again and again, reminding everyone living in a marriage of the preciousness of the gift that they possess.

Fevronia knows its value. She is not indignant at the boyars’ demand: reign is a temporary value. She does not want wealth, because she wants only one treasure: “I ask for nothing else,” says Fevronia, “except my husband, Prince Peter!” (17).

Peter also knew the value of what he possessed. In addition, above his calling, above power, honors, and habitual comfort, was for him the commandment of Christ:

“Blessed Prince Peter did not love the temporary autocracy, except for God’s commandments, but walking according to His commandments, adhering to these, just as the God-voiced Matthew in his gospel preaches, as if he lets his wife go, the development of the word of an adulterer, and marries another, commits adultery. This blessed prince, according to the Gospel, create his own self-control, as if he were wise, so that he does not destroy the commandments of God” (18).

Together with Fevronia, Peter leaves the city.

The Dignity of Christian Marriage

“The Life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom in the painting of Alexander Prostev”

Expelled from their city, Peter and Fevronia sail along the Oka River on ships given to them by the boyars who expelled them. In this, apparently, the most difficult time for their family, Fevronia again shows her wisdom, high moral sense and remarkable endurance. Her wisdom is revealed in the next episode.

On the ship on which Peter and Fevronia were sailing into the unknown, there was a man and his wife. He saw Fevronia and looked at her with carnal thoughts.

She understood his thoughts and asked him to scoop up and drink water from one side of the vessel, and then from the other. After he obeyed, Fevronia asked: “Do you think the water tastes the same?”

“He said: “There is only one, lady, water.” Again she said to her: “And there is one female nature. Why, having left your wife, are thinking about other people’s thoughts!” Same person<…>afraid to think such a thing” (19).

Let's read Fevronia's words. At first glance, they are very simple and accessible: “From the point of view of your nature,” she seems to be saying, “all women are the same, and if you think of finding something new with someone else’s wife, you are mistaken. Wouldn’t it be better for you to remain faithful to yours!”

But we can the second sentence from Fevronia’s phrase - “For what reason, leaving your wife, you think of someone else’s thoughts!” - read and with emphasis not on your word, but on the word wife. Then this simple statement will reveal to us the depth Christian teaching about marriage.

With such a reading, it will become clear to us that the wife was given to the husband not for the sake of satisfying his natural desire, but her calling is incomparably greater. The wife's personality is not limited to her physicality. Her soul and her spirit also enter into relationship with the corresponding aspects of the husband's personality. B, for they have common spiritual aspirations - to Christ, in one soul, for they must have common vital interests, in one body (20).

Only such a union produces a full-fledged Christian family. Such a union makes the mutual love of the spouses the path that leads them to transformation by Christ’s grace, to salvation. And then Fevronia’s words can be paraphrased as follows: “Think about what your wife is for you, think about her dignity before God! It is connected not only to your body, but to your spirit and soul. Do not covet someone else's wife, because if you violate your fidelity, you will destroy this mysterious unity! And it is unique and more valuable than any other callings, unities and desires.”

It is noteworthy that Ermolai-Erasmus compositionally places the episode revealing the doctrine of Christian marriage precisely after the narrative of the expulsion of Peter and Fevronia, thereby, as it were, further convincing the reader that the choice made by the saints was correct and the only one possible for a Christian, thereby further once again reaffirming the essential value of Christian marriage.

On the same day, in the evening, when the exiles were preparing to spend the night on the banks of the Oka, the following conversation took place between the spouses.

“Blessed Prince Peter began to think: “What will happen, having been driven away by the will of autocracy?” Precious Fevronia said to him: “Do not grieve, prince, the merciful God, the Creator and Provider of everything, will not leave us in the lowest state of being!” (21).

Peter began to be tormented by doubts whether he had acted correctly by leaving Murom, without resisting the boyars, without insisting on his own. Apparently, the thought that he had arbitrarily abdicated the responsibility for his city, for his people, which the Lord had entrusted to him, was especially difficult for him. Perhaps mixed in with this was the secret thought that poverty and hard life wanderer And at this moment, the word of his wife turns out to be healing for him, dispelling both dark thoughts (22).

Fevronia speaks to her husband about God, about His mercy and Providence, calling him to seek His Will, reminding him that the Creator, who called him to princely service, can show him a new path or return him to the old one. She consoles him, explaining that God, who united them into husband and wife, will not allow the destruction of their union, and will give them what they need for life.

In one phrase of Fevronia, all her courage is manifested, all her loyalty to her calling. If a man’s calling is to take upon himself and bear responsibility for others, then a woman’s calling is different; it is called upon to preserve unity, integrity, and the spirit of the family in any circumstances. In confirmation of Fevronia’s encouraging words, the following happens that same night.

“On that day I prepared food for blessed Prince Peter for his supper. And even more so<= посече>cook his trees are small, and the cauldrons hang on them. After supper, the holy princess Fevronia, walking along the shore and seeing the tree, blessed it and said: “May this tree be great in the morning, having branches and foliage.” As soon as it happens. When I got up in the morning, I found a tree with great ancient branches and leaves” (23).

If the family has not broken up, if the spouses courageously hold on to each other, to mutual love, then the lost well-being will arise, like young tree, which has grown overnight, will return to its original form and grow thanks to the love and care of his wife.

In the morning, the truth of Fevronia’s words was confirmed in another way.

Before the wanderers had time to leave their place of accommodation for the night, a nobleman galloped up from Murom with the news that after the expulsion of the prince, civil strife began in the city, and many boyars were killed: “Even though you might have power over them, you yourself will destroy them.” Those who remained alive and all the people tearfully asked the prince to return back: “Now we are slaves with all our houses, and we want, and we love, and we pray, that her servant will not leave us!” (24).

Let us pay attention to the fact that in their speech the boyars use forms of the dual number: slave, may she not leave us... Now they also think of spouses only together, as a single whole, and agree to be slaves of both of them: both Peter and Fevronia.

The prince and princess return to Murom. And this is how Ermolai-Erasmus describes their further reign.

“Behu is sovereign in that city, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blemish, in unceasing prayers and alms and to all people under their authority, like a loving father and mother. Besta, for love is equal to everyone, not loving pride, nor robbery, nor corruptible wealth, sparing, but growing rich in God. Besta for his city is a true shepherd, and not like a mercenary. The city is governed by truth and meekness, and not by rage. The strange are accepting, the greedy are satisfying, the naked are clothed, the poor are delivered from misfortune” (25).

This is the ideal of Christian government. For all their subjects they were like father and mother, and not like rulers. Thus, they realized the image of earthly life that the Monk Simeon the New Theologian formulated a century before them: “God created father and son for being in the world. Without violence and poverty, no one would be a slave or a mercenary” (26).

They succeeded in this because the gracious love that they acquired in their marriage began to abound and poured out on everyone around them; the boundaries of their family seemed to expand and include many, many. But even then, the family itself, mutual love for each other remained an unconditional value for Peter and Fevronia.

We will see confirmation of this in the final episode of “The Tale”.

We know nothing about whether the holy spouses had children. Perhaps oral tradition simply did not convey information about this to Ermolai-Erasmus. And yet it is noteworthy that he himself did not use any folklore image, did not fantasize on this topic, and did not touch upon it in a single word. For him and his narrative about Christian marriage, this circumstance from the lives of his heroes does not matter. They achieved holiness not by having many children, but by mutual love and maintaining the sanctity of marriage. This is precisely its meaning and purpose.

Epilogue

tonsure - death - posthumous miracle

Years have passed. When Peter and Fevronia grew old, and “when her pious repose arrived,” they begged God to let them die in one hour. They could not live even for a short time without each other.

“The Life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom in the painting of Alexander Prostev”

In anticipation of their death, according to the customs of that time, they simultaneously took monastic vows. Peter in monasticism was named David, Fevronia - Euphrosyne. For them, monasticism is a way to get away from princely worries, devote more time to prayer and thus prepare for death with dignity.

Marriage vows, even after tonsure, remain valid for them, because they also fulfill their last promise to each other - to die at the same time. This is the touching description of their death that Ermolai-Erasmus gives.

“At the same time, the Venerable and Blessed Fevronia<…>The air flows into the temple of the Most Pure Cathedral Church, and on it are the white faces of saints. The Venerable and Blessed Prince Peter<…>sending the verb to her: “Oh sister Euphrosyne! I want to get away from the body already, but I’m waiting for you, so that we can get away.” She denied: “Wait, sir, until I breathe air into the holy church.” He sent a second message to her, saying: “I won’t wait much longer for you.” And as if she sent a third, saying: “I already want to die and I’m not waiting for you!”

And she was already finishing her work; all she had to do was embroider the vestments of one saint, whose face was already completed.

“And stop, and watch your needle in the air, and turn it into a thread, which you sew with it. And he sent to blessed Peter, who was named David, about his death by the purchase. And, having prayed, his holy soul betrayed<двойственное число - А. Б.>in the hand of God” (27).

Saints Peter and Fevronia, before being tonsured, bequeathed to bury themselves together, in one coffin, which was hewn out of stone for them during their lifetime. But the spouses were buried separately, “burrowing, as it is not acceptable to place the saints in one tomb in the same image” (28).

“The Life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom in the painting of Alexander Prostev”

Then a miracle happened that glorified Saints Peter and Fevronia. The next morning people found both separate coffins empty. The holy bodies of Peter and Fevronia lay in the city in the cathedral church of the Most Pure Mother of God, in one coffin, which they themselves ordered to create. Thus, the Lord glorified not only His saints, but also once again sealed the holiness and dignity of marriage, the vows of which in this case turned out to be no lower than monastic vows.

* * *

This is how it ended earthly life Saints Peter and Fevronia. After their death, their veneration gradually spread beyond the Murom land and, by the 16th century, probably covered the majority of the inhabitants of the Moscow state.

In 1547, through the works of St. Macarius of Moscow, they were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. Saint Macarius deserves special mention in connection with our saints, since through his care people who achieved righteousness thanks to life in a Christian marriage were glorified.

The effectiveness of prayer to these saints, which the Church has been doing for 450 years (the anniversary of their glorification was celebrated last year), convinces us of the authenticity of the appearance of Peter and Fevronia, which was recreated by Ermolai-Erasmus in his “Tale”. They truly became the patrons of Christian marriage.

It is they who should pray for peace to be sent into the family, for strengthening marital ties, and for achieving family happiness.

The author of “The Tale” prefaces his narrative with a preface in which he briefly reminds the reader of the Orthodox teaching about the Trinity, the creation of the world, and the economy of salvation. He ends his opening remarks with a reminder of the Christian's vocation.

Thus, Saints Peter and Fevronia are included in the majestic picture of the Christianly understood history of the world; they are placed on a par with the apostles and martyrs and other great saints. And they were awarded such glorification “for the sake of courage and humility” that they showed in keeping the commandments of God regarding marriage. In this way they fulfilled their calling as Christians. This means that each of those who strive in Christian marriage and follow their example can be placed in this rank and can win the crown that Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom were awarded.

Footnotes

1Prince of Murom Peter Yuryevich (in the tonsure of David), according to chronicles, died in 1228, therefore, the life together of Peter and his wife Fevronia dates back to the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries.

2 “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia” differs markedly from the generally accepted examples of hagiographic literature in the Makaryev era. This led to the fact that already in the 16th century. it has been revised several times. See Dmitrieva R.P. Ermolai-Erasmus - author of the Tale of Peter and Fevronia // The Tale of Peter and Fevronia / Preparation of texts and research by R.P. Dmitrieva. L., 1979. - P. 117; Dmitrieva R.P. Secondary editions of the Tale of Peter and Fevronia // Ibid. - Ss. 119–146.

3The latter were included in the literary tradition, in which the genre of the parable was very developed, suggesting an allegorical reading of its plot. It is possible that the ancient Russian reader, exceptionally sensitive to the tributary genre, also perceived the folklore images of our “Tale” as allegories and interpreted them in accordance with the main theme of this work.

4Unity in marriage was established by God Himself, and therefore is carried out in non-church marriages - all the more serious consequences are caused by desecration of the sacrament of marriage, conscious or unconscious.

5 The Tale of the Lives of the New Saints, the Wonderworker of Murom, the Blessed and Reverend and Worshipful Prince Peter, named in the monastic rank of David, and his wife, the blessed and venerable and praiseworthy Princess Fevronia, named in the monastic rank of Euphrosyne // The Tale of Peter and Fevronia. - Ss. 211–213 (hereinafter: Tale). For all references to this monument, we use the text of its first edition, defined in the publication by R. P. Dmitrieva as the author’s. See The Tale of Peter and Fevronia. - Ss. 209–223.

6Although the motif of snake fighting in “The Tale” is correlated with folklore, the very fact of demonic werewolf is known to Orthodox asceticism. In particular, an incident from the life of Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky; †1937), similar to that described above, was recorded by priest Sergius Sidorov (†1937). Vladika Theodore last year During his rectorship at the Moscow Theological Academy, he cared for a certain mentally ill woman. When one day he did not allow her to leave Sergiev Posad, “she asked me why I did not let her into the station, and assured that I had been with her in the morning and tried to persuade her to leave Sergiev. I then took her words for nonsense, clearly sick<…>The next morning, I, having put part of the relics into the panagia St. Sergius, went to see the patient<…>She was sitting on the bed, and my double was sitting opposite her and urging her to leave Sergiev immediately. I stopped, amazed, on the threshold. The double turned to me and, pointing at me to the girl, said: “Don’t believe this, this is the devil.” “You’re lying,” I said and touched him with my panagia. My double immediately disappeared and no longer bothered the girl, who had completely recovered from the mental illness that had tormented her since the age of seven” (Priest Sergius Sidorov. Notes / Publication by V. S. Bobrinskaya // Chrysostom. No. 2. - pp. 306–307; indicated by M. S. Pershin). It is noteworthy that this event immediately preceded the persecution of Bishop Theodore in the liberal press and his subsequent removal from the post of rector of the Academy.

7Dmitrieva R.P. Secondary editions... - P. 138.

8Tale. - P. 215.

10Tale. - P. 216.

11Tale. - P. 217.

13Tale. - P. 218.

14Tale. - P. 217.

15 It is known that one bishop, who ordained secret priests during the years of persecution, before ordaining one of them, asked him to find out from his wife whether she agreed with this decision of her husband.

16Tale. - P. 218.

18Tale. - Ss. 218–219.

19Tale. - P. 219.

20cm. more Professor, Archpriest Gleb Kaleda. Home church. M., 1997. - pp. 14–19, 182–183, etc.

21Tale. - P. 219.

22 Let us note that in this case, as in the case of a person who has accepted a carnal mind, Fevronia, in all likelihood, shows such insight, which the Holy Fathers called “natural insight.” This - in contrast to “graceful insight” - can be possessed by any person, well knowledgeable about people and by the expression of the eyes or facial expressions, able to guess the state of a person’s soul.

23Tale. - Ss. 219–220.

24Tale. - P. 220.

26Reverend Simeon the New Theologian. Creations. T. 1. St. Petersburg, 1892. - pp. 217, 316.

27Tale. - Ss. 220–221.

28Tale. - P. 221.

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Probably, each of us has heard the names of Peter and Fevronia, the Murom miracle workers, who with their story of eternal love became a symbol of married life . They were able to embody in her the ideals of Christian virtues: meekness, humility, love and fidelity.

Murom has been keeping the legend about the life and death of the wonderworkers Peter and Fevronia for several centuries. They spent their entire lives on Murom land. And that's where they are now stored.

The story of their unusual life, over time, was embellished with fabulous events, and their names became a symbol of marital devotion and true love.

The legend of Peter and Fevronia was immortalized in the sixteenth century by the monk Erasmus, known in worldly life under the name of Ermolai the Sinner. He created a beautiful story dedicated to true eternal love, forgiveness, wisdom and true faith in God.

After the church decided to canonize the princes, Metropolitan Macarius ordered their names to be immortalized on paper. As a result, “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia” was written.

This happened in 1547, when the holy Murom spouses were canonized at a church council.

Peter was little brother Blessed Paul, who reigned at that time in Murom. Once a misfortune happened in their family: the prodigal serpent, turning into Paul, began to visit the prince’s wife. And this obsession lasted for a long time.

The poor woman could not resist the power of the demon and succumbed to him. After which she told the prince about her meetings with the snake. Paul ordered his wife to find out from the devil's messenger the secret of his death. It turned out that the demon would die from the shoulder of Peter and Agrikov’s sword.

Pavel shared the secret of the serpent with his brother, after which Peter thought about how he could destroy his adversary. And only one thing stopped him: he didn’t know what sword we're talking about.

Peter always loved to go to churches alone. And then one day, he decided to go to a church that was located outside the city, in a convent. During prayer, a youth appeared to him and offered to show Agrikov the sword. The prince, wanting to kill the snake, replied that he wanted to know where the sword was kept and followed him. The youth led the prince to the altar and pointed to a crack in the wall where the weapon lay.

The delighted Peter took the sword, and then went to his brother to tell him about the miracle that happened to him. From that very day he waited for the right moment to settle accounts with the serpent.

One day, Peter went into the bedchamber of Paul’s wife and found there a serpent who had taken the guise of his brother. Having made sure that it was not Paul, Peter plunged his sword into him. The serpent died, having taken on its true form, but its blood got on Peter's body and clothes. From then on, the prince began to get sick, and his body was covered with wounds and ulcers. He tried to be healed by various doctors on his land, but none of them were able to save the prince from the disease.

Life of Saint Fevronia

Peter came to terms with his illness, placing his fate in the hands of the Almighty. The Lord, loving his servant, sent him to the lands of Ryazan.

One day, the prince’s youth found himself in the village of Laskovo. He approached one of the houses, but no one came out to meet him. He went into the house, but again did not see the owners. Walking further into the upper room, the boy was amazed by an unusual sight: a girl was working on a canvas, and a hare was jumping in front of her.

Seeing the young man enter, she complained that it was bad if there were no ears in the house, and no eyes in the upper room. The boy did not understand the girl’s mysterious speeches, and asked her about the owner of the house. Her answer struck him even more; she said that his mother and father had gone to cry on borrowed time, and his brother had gone to look into the eyes of death. The young man again did not understand the girl’s words and told her about this, asking her to clarify the mysterious speeches.

Surprised that he could not understand so simple words, the girl explained to him that if she had a dog, he would have heard that someone was coming and warned about it, because the dog is the ears of the house. Ochami, she called the child who could see the guest and also warn the girl. The father and mother, as it turned out, had gone to the funeral to mourn the deceased, so that when they died, they would come to mourn them. So there is cry on loan. And the brother, being a tree climber, went to collect honey. He will have to climb tall trees and look at your feet so as not to fall. So it turns out that he is looking death in the face.

The youth marveled at the girl’s wisdom and asked her name. “Fevronya,” the girl answered.

The young man told her about the misfortune that befell Prince Peter, saying that the Lord had sent him to these lands to seek healing. So he came by order of the prince to find out about the doctors here in order to find someone who would cure the prince.

After listening to the boy, the girl ordered the prince to be brought to her, warning that he could be cured only if he was true to his words and kind in heart.

Meet the Saints

Peter could no longer walk on his own. Therefore, when they brought him to the house, he asked the servant to find out who would undertake the treatment. He promised to reward the one who healed him generously.

Fevronia said that she herself wanted to treat him, and she did not need a reward. But if he wants to be healed, he must marry her, otherwise she will not help him. The prince decided to deceive Fevronia, promising to marry, and after being cured, to abandon his promise.

The girl took the leaven from the bread, blew on it and gave it to the prince, telling him to go to the bathhouse, and then smear all the ulcers with this mixture, and leave one.

The prince decided to test the girl’s wisdom. He handed her a small bundle of flax, telling her to weave a scarf and a shirt for him while he was in the bathhouse. The servant handed this bunch to the girl along with the prince's order.

Fevronia asked the servant to bring a small log, after which she chopped off a sliver from it and gave it to the prince. Together with the sliver, she gave Peter the order to make a loom and all the equipment from this piece of wood, so that she could weave clothes for him on this loom. And it needs to be done in the time it takes her to tear the flax.

The servant gave the prince a sliver of wood, conveying the girl’s answer. Peter sent the servant back to the girl, saying that it was impossible to make a machine out of a piece of wood chips. After listening to the prince’s answer, Fevronia replied: “How can you make clothes for a man from a small amount of flax in such a short time?”

The servant conveyed the girl’s answer to the prince, but Peter was surprised at her wisdom.

Listen to the akathist to Peter and Fevronia

Miraculous healing of Peter

The prince did everything as the girl told him: first he washed himself, then he smeared all the scabs except one with leaven from bread. Coming out of the bath, he no longer felt pain, and his skin was free of scabs.

It was not by chance that the wise Fevronia, following the experience of her ancestors, prescribed him such treatment. The Savior, while healing the sick and healing bodily wounds, also healed the soul. So the girl, knowing that illnesses are given by the Almighty as a punishment for some sins, prescribed treatment for the body, in fact healing the prince’s soul. And since Fevronia foresaw that Peter would deceive her, driven by his pride, she ordered him to leave one ulcer.

The prince was amazed at such a quick healing and sent rich gifts to the girl in gratitude. Peter refused to take a commoner as his wife, since his pride and princely origin interfered with him. Fevronia did not take anything from the gifts.

Peter returned to Murom recovered, and only one scab remained on his body, reminding him of his recent illness. But as soon as he returned to his patrimony, the disease overtook him again: from the scab that remained on his body, new ulcers appeared. And after some time, the prince was again covered with ulcers and scabs.

Re-healing and wedding

And again Peter had to return to the girl for healing. Approaching her house, he sent a servant to her with words of forgiveness and a prayer for healing. Fevronia, without malice or resentment, simply answered that the prince could be healed only if he became her husband. Peter decided to take her as his wife and promised this time sincerely.

Then Fevronia, as the first time, prescribed exactly the same treatment for the prince. Now, having recovered, the prince immediately married the girl, making Fevronia a princess.

Returning to Murom, they lived happily and honestly, following the word of God in everything.

After Pavel died, Peter took his place, heading Murom. All the boyars loved and respected Peter, but their arrogant wives did not accept Fevronia. They did not want to be ruled by an ordinary peasant woman, and therefore persuaded their husbands to do dishonest things.

According to the slander of their wives, the boyars slandered Fevronia, trying to discredit her, and even started a riot, inviting the girl to leave the city, taking everything she wanted. But Fevronia only wanted to take her lover, which greatly pleased the boyars, since each of them wanted to take Peter’s place.

Marital fidelity

Saint Peter did not break God’s commandment and separate from his wife. Then he decided to leave the principality and all his treasures and go into voluntary exile with her.

Peter and Fevronia set off along the river on two ships.

One young man, who was with his wife in the same ship with the princess, fell in love with Fevronia. The girl immediately understood what he was dreaming about and asked him to pour water into a ladle and drink it, first from one side of the ship, then from the other.

The man complied with her request, and Fevronia asked if the water from the two ladles was different. The man replied that one water is no different from another. To which Fevronia said that female nature is also no different and conquered him because he dreams of her, forgetting his own wife. The convicted man understood everything and repented in his soul.

When evening came, they went ashore. Peter was very worried about what would happen to them now. Fevronia, as best she could, consoled her husband, talking about the mercy of God, making him believe in a happy outcome.

At this very time, the cook broke a couple of small trees in order to cook food with their help. When dinner was over, Fevronia blessed these branches, wishing that by morning they would turn into mature trees. This is exactly what happened in the morning. She wanted her husband to strengthen his faith by seeing this miracle.

The next day, ambassadors arrived from Murom to persuade the princes to return. It turned out that after their departure, the boyars could not share power, shed a lot of blood, and now they want to live in peace again.

Lives of the faithful spouses

The holy spouses, without any malice or resentment, accepted the invitation to return and ruled Murom for a long time and honestly, following the laws of God in everything and doing good deeds. They helped all people in need, treating their subjects with care, just as tender parents treat their children.

Regardless of their position, they treated everyone with the same love, suppressed all malice and cruelty, did not strive for worldly wealth and rejoiced in the love of God. And people loved them, because they refused to help anyone, fed the hungry and clothed the naked, healed them from illnesses and guided the lost on the true path.

Blessed death

When the couple grew old, they simultaneously accepted monasticism, choosing the names David and Euphrosyne. They begged God for mercy to appear before him together, and ordered people to bury them in a common coffin, separated by a thin wall.

On the day when the Lord decided to call David to himself, the pious Euphrosyne was embroidering images of saints in the air in order to donate her needlework to the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos.

David sent a messenger to her with the news that his time had come and promised to wait for her in order to go together to the Almighty. Euphrosyne asked to be given time so that she could finish the work for the holy temple.

The prince sent a messenger a second time to say that he could not wait for her long.

When David sent a message to his beloved wife for the third time, saying that he was already dying, Euphrosyne left the unfinished work, wrapped a thread around the needle and stuck it in the air. And she sent the news to her blessed husband that she would die with him.

The couple prayed and went to God. This happened on June 25 according to the old calendar (or July 8 according to the new style).

Love is stronger than death

After the couple died, people decided that since they had taken the haircut at the end of their lives, it would be wrong to bury them together. It was decided to bury Peter in Murom, while Fevronia was laid to rest in a convent located outside the city.

Two coffins were made for them and left overnight for funeral services in different churches. The coffin, carved from a stone slab, made at their request during the couple’s lifetime, remained empty.

But when people arrived at the temples the next morning, they discovered that the coffins were empty. The bodies of Peter and Fevronia were found in a coffin, which they had prepared in advance.

Foolish people, not understanding the miracle that had occurred, again tried to separate them, but the next morning Peter and Fevronia ended up together.

After the miracle happened again, no one began to try to bury them separately. The princes were buried in a single coffin, near the Church of the Holy Mother of God.

Since then, people in need of healing have constantly come there. And if they seek help with faith in their hearts, the saints give them health and family well-being. And the story of the eternal love of Peter and Fevronia of Murom is passed down from generation to generation.

Initially, the coffin of the saints was located in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the city of Murom. Then, when the communists came to power, they gave the remains of the princes to the local museum. The cathedral church was destroyed in the 1930s.

But already at the end of the eighties the shrine was returned to the Church.

In 1989, the relics were returned to the Church. And since 1993, the shrine with the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia has been in the Trinity Cathedral of the Murom Holy Trinity Monastery.

Day July 8th - Feast of Peter and Fevronia

The memory of the noble princes Peter and Fevronia is celebrated on June 25 (July 8, new style). Every summer on this date (July 8), believers celebrate an amazing holiday dedicated to boundless love and eternal devotion.

In 2008 Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, officially established as national holiday. Orthodox Temples on this day they hold a service dedicated to the holy spouses and once again remind all believers of their life, which is an eternal example of fidelity and love for all families.

That is why this holiday is also called the Day of Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

You can find out more about the Holy Trinity Monastery, where the miraculous relics of the blessed princes Peter and Fevronia are currently kept.

And another amazing holiday is celebrated on Murom land. On August 23, 2004, the Day of Charity and Mercy was held for the first time. It took place with the blessing of Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Rus' in the Murom Diocesan Monastery (Murom, Vladimir Region).

In 1604 (400 years ago), the holy righteous Juliana Lazarevskaya (Osoryina), famous for her amazing mercy and ascetic life in the world, died. And ten years later, it was on this day, August 10/23, 1614, that the relics of the saint were found. In the same year, righteous Juliana was canonized.

Therefore, it is no coincidence that the choice of the day for the establishment of a new social and church holiday for our country fell on August 23 - the day of the discovery of the relics of the holy righteous Juliana Find out more about these attractions!

In the Orthodox family tradition It is customary to venerate the holy Murom princes Peter and Fevronia, whose lives will be presented below. You will find out why they are so loved by Christians, why even monks reverence them. In addition, we will share with you how and where it is best to ask the saints about the arrangement of your personal life, about creating a family and the well-being of spouses.

Who are they?

The life of Peter and Fevronia of Murom tells that these people not only ruled the city of Murom, but also did good deeds. Just imagine sovereigns who would wish goodness, peace and love to everyone. They always heard the misfortune of others and tried to help everyone. Peter and Fevronia, as life tells, became worthy successors to princes Konstantin and Elena, Vladimir and Olga. By the way, they are also canonized.

Perhaps this is why even to this day the city of Murom is in a fertile atmosphere. Every pilgrim who comes here at least once will forever remember the feeling of peace and joy that is fragrant in the vicinity of the old city. Especially where the ancient monasteries are located: Holy Trinity, Annunciation and Spaso-Preobrazhensky.

Below will be presented a brief summary of the life of Peter and Fevronia of Murom. And later we will study the story in more detail, which will introduce you closer to these saints. So, the content is as follows:

Prince Pavel (brother of Prince Peter) and his wife, who suffered from the devil.
Agrikov's sword and the destruction of the devil.
The beginning of Prince Peter's illness with leprosy.
Search for a doctor in Ryazan villages.
Getting to know Fevronia. Wise words from a simple village girl.
Prince Peter's refusal to marry a simpleton and the return of his illness.
Submission to the will of God. Wedding of Peter and Fevronia.
Co-government.
Expulsion of princes from Murom by boyars.
Their return by the same boyars to the city.
Old age. Preparation for monastic life.
An honest burial and a miraculous union of saints in a common tomb.

Approximately the same content can be found in various sources. In addition, it will help you if you need to write an essay or presentation on such a useful and beneficial topic.

Brief History

It is worth noting that the story about these saints was written in his time by the ascetic Ermolai-Erasmus. According to the events he described, a life later appeared, that is, in modern worldly language, a biography. Now let's start studying short life Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

Prince Peter had a brother - Prince Pavel. One day the evil serpent began to visit the latter’s wife. The fact is that this enemy took on the guise of Paul himself, so that the woman would not guess. But the wise wife understood everything, she turned to her husband for help. For a long time the prince could not understand how to cast out the devil. One day he had a miraculous vision, telling him that the serpent’s death would come from Peter’s shoulder and Agric’s sword.

At first no one could understand what kind of sword we were talking about. Prince Peter once went into the temple to pray. Friend, he saw that same Agric sword. Taking it, he returned home, waited for the serpent to appear in the guise of his brother and killed him. When dying, the monster splashed poisonous blood on Peter. From then on, Prince Peter was ill with leprosy. Unfortunately, no one could help him.

Having gone in search of a doctor, he ended up in the village of Laskovo near Ryazan. I found the poison dart frog's house. They said that his daughter healed the sick. Prince Peter sent a servant in his place. The girl was at home. A very strange conversation ensued, but the wise maiden Fevronia explained what Peter should do. The prince and his servant followed all the girl’s recommendations, after which healing followed. But no one knew that Fevronia was a holy servant of God, she foresaw the will of the Lord and told the prince something like this: marry me, then you will be healed. The prince promised. Indeed, recovery has come. But Peter decided not to marry Fevronia. The disease has returned.

Further, the lives of Peter and Fevronia tell that the wedding took place. The young couple began to rule Murom. But the boyars and their wives really didn’t like the fact that a simple village girl was taller than them. They asked Prince Peter to leave his wife for them. But Peter did not do this. The boyars expelled their princes. Saints Peter and Fevronia stopped by the river. Prince Peter fell into despair, but Fevronia supported him. Together they were able to survive this misfortune.

One day, the boyars arrived for them, asking for forgiveness for their actions. There was chaos and massacres in the city; a worthy ruler was never found. Then everyone realized that only Peter and Fevronia could rule Murom.

In old age, the holy princes firmly decided to serve God in the monastery, so they took monastic vows with the names David and Euphrosyne. When Prince Peter felt death approaching, he sent a letter to his wife in convent. Fevronia was embroidering the air at that moment. Having finished work, she notified her husband. Then they fell asleep at the same time.

Even before his death, Prince Peter made one wide coffin for two with a partition in the middle. But the townspeople and the inhabitants of the monasteries transferred them to different coffins. Miraculously, the deceased spouses found themselves together again. Thus, everyone understood: a miracle had happened, explaining that loving spouses should be together not only on earth, but also in the afterlife.

The meaning of the story

Here it is interesting life Peter and Fevronia. But here it is important to grasp the essence and understand that this is not a fairy tale, but a reality that took place about eight centuries ago.

What is the meaning behind the story? Please note key points: Godly and faithful marriage. Remember how the boyars gave the prince an ultimatum: either we, or leave with her! And Peter, as a faithful and loving spouse, chose exile. It is important for him to be together with the one whom the Lord sent him as a wife. This is perhaps the most important lesson for us - loyalty! And loyalty will come from love for the person closest to you.

Who prays to them

Nowadays, you can often hear that they always pray to Peter and Fevronia for family well-being. But is it only allowed for spouses to ask the saints for help? Of course not. Single people who want to find their happiness also sincerely ask for a second half in prayers to the saints.

Often parents, close relatives of married couples and single people also turn to them to ask God for happiness for them. By the way, many of those who revere this married couple know the life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom and try to imitate them.

Where to pray

You can pray at home, but it is better to go to a temple where services are held. In modern Orthodox Russia It is customary in some churches to regularly perform a prayer service to Saints Peter and Fevronia. Life is an excellent assistant in preparation. In addition, an akathist is also read. In the text of this type of prayer one can find already familiar scenes from the story of Ermolai-Erasmus.

At the end of the reading of the akathist, the prayer itself is performed to the holy spouses. Everyone who comes to church services sincerely hopes to receive what they ask for, to receive support from the saints.

Whom do the saints hear?

Remember from a brief quotation from the lives of Peter and Fevronia of Murom that during their lifetime the spouses always listened to people’s pleas for help, and they always consoled the deprived, the offended, the poor, and gave what they asked for the good. Having passed into the Kingdom of God, they did not stop helping people. From Heaven they hear all our prayers and intercede for us before the Lord.

But the greatest support is received by spouses who got married in Orthodox Church. They become patrons and protectors of the family.

Who should read the life

The story of the Murom princes will be interesting to listen to not only for adults who want to find a family, but even for children. From a young age, it is advisable to talk about what a family should be like, so that in the future they will bear their cross with dignity, be faithful and know how to love.

The Life of Peter and Fevronia is a reference book for every family. You can re-read it again and again to refresh your memory and notice something new for yourself. May these saints of God become true friends for each of you!

Have you read the summary Lives of Peter and Fevronia. We wish you to gain family well-being, patience and mutual love with loved ones and spouses!

Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom are the patron saints happy marriage. In memory of the blessed couple, a holiday was established - the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, which is celebrated on July 8. These saints are one of the most popular personalities, in whose honor temples are opened and monuments are erected throughout the country. Sculptures of the holy spouses have already been installed in 60 cities of Russia and this number is growing.

The princely couple earned the admiration of the people by maintaining love and loyalty to each other in the face of trials, everyday problems and evil tongues. The couple carried their love throughout their lives and by their example teach us how to save a marriage today.

Life of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom

These people are real historical characters. “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom” is the life of the saints, preserved to this day. Peter, the son of Murom Prince Yuri Vladimirovich, was exposed to poison and was covered with scabs and ulcers. When it became obvious that doctors would not help, how last hope, sent a messenger to Ryazan land, where there were many healers. So Fevronia, the beekeeper’s daughter, was found who cured him, but on condition: the prince had to marry her. But, having been healed, Peter lied - he secretly fled from her house, leaving expensive gifts. Fevronia was a commoner only by birth. She acted like a real princess: she did not accept the gifts and began to wait patiently for the prince. And so it happened: soon Peter’s illness returned to him and the whole story repeated itself. The promise was kept.

The boyars were hostile to the simple girl: they set a condition - either you leave your wife or you leave the city. The prince was forced to leave control of Murom and settled with his wife in exile.

But as usually happens in Rus': the boyars did not share power and almost killed each other. The only option left for them was to beg the prince to return to his post and settle all the disputes.

Saints Peter and Fevronia lived a long and happy life and in the end they took monastic vows. The saints bequeathed to bury them in one coffin, but the laws were strict then and the monks were buried separately. Then a miracle happened: the bodies ended up in one coffin in an unknown way. Twice their bodies were separated and, when the third time they were found lying in the same coffin, they did not dare to separate them again.

Why did Peter and Fevronia become saints?

Why is this childless couple, " unequal marriage", as they would say now, is a role model family idyll? Why did the Lord glorify them as the ideal of family life?

It is sometimes difficult for us to accept that the world is not ideal. How often do we come to church to perform a mechanical ritual and calm down: well, now everything will be fulfilled? But the Church is not a service bureau. This live communication with God, with the saints. Once upon a time, Peter and Fevronia were also simple people, the most ordinary. With your aspirations and weaknesses, hopes. So, the girl Fevronia “did not miss her goal,” as they would have noticed today. So Prince Peter tried to escape responsibility. The goals were earthly, people were not holy. Holiness comes when a person correctly understands his duty and place in this world.

It was probably not sweet for the young people in the company of wealthy boyars - neither the prince nor the poor peasant woman. After all, things don’t always happen as you expect, and Fevronia, unlike her girlish dreams, was not received cordially. Who knows what thoughts visited the naive girl, who, perhaps, simply asked God to send her a good husband and regarded the arrival of the sick prince as a message from above.

And the prince. Did he dream of marrying a simpleton? Was he ready for this marriage and grateful enough for the healing to not shy away from reproach? Did you maintain sufficient tact during the first period of “grinding in”? We won't know. But the Lord glorified His saints precisely because they were able to overcome these difficulties with their heads held high, with an awareness of responsibility for the chosen path. We remained true to ourselves and devoted to each other.

Children are not the goal in a Christian marriage. They are a great blessing and comfort. But not the goal. They say it is more difficult to save a marriage without children. But the faithful spouses succeeded. The family is called a small church - this means that in marriage a Christian learns love. The true one who does not die. And it was on this path - on the path of knowing love and mastering it perfectly that the Murom spouses achieved holiness. And they encourage us to do this - just start, just try. Give in. Cover each other's weaknesses. Keep silent. To be at one with each other before the rest of the world. To be together despite circumstances, “characters”, surroundings.

How do Saints Peter and Fevronia help?

Saints Peter and Fevronia help when it seems there is not enough strength, when the shortcomings seem so huge that nothing else is visible except them. As in the parable about the fly on the nose: the fly is small, but when it sits on the nose, it covers the whole world. Drive away the “fly” of your irritation, impatience and resentment and a world of goodness and love will open to you. A world that always begins with us. From our first step.

Today, among young believers, it is customary to gather to read akathists and prayers to the faithful spouses in front of the icon. Young people ask for help in starting a family. It happens that halves find each other right on common prayer. Such cases are not isolated.

The holy relics of Peter and Fevronia are kept in the Church of the Holy Trinity of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Murom. Even after death they are inseparable: according to legend, before their death both accepted monasticism and died on the same day and hour. When Peter (monastically David) already felt his imminent death, he informed Fevronia (monastically Euphrosyne) about this through a messenger. But Fevronia was embroidering cloths for the deceased and did not have time to finish this last decoration. Then she told Peter to wait another hour. After completing the work, both surrendered their souls to God and, we believe, are also inseparable in the next world.

Prayer to Saints Peter and Fevronia

Text of the prayer to Saints Peter and Fevronia for love and prosperity :

About the greatness of the saint of God and wonderful miracle workers, the good faith of Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia, the intercessor and guardian of the city of Murom, and about all of us zeal for the Lord in prayer! We come running to you and pray to you with strong hope: offer up your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners, and ask from His goodness all that is useful to our souls and bodies: faith in justice, hope in goodness, unfeigned love, unshakable piety in good deeds prosperity, peace of peace, fruitfulness of the earth, prosperity of the air, health of the body and salvation of souls. Petition from the Heavenly King the Church of Saints and the entire Russian Empire for peace, silence and prosperity, and for all of us a prosperous life and a good Christian death. Protect your Fatherland and all Russian cities from all evil; and all the faithful people who come to you and worship your holy relics, overshadow with the grace-filled effect of your God-pleasing prayers, and fulfill all their requests for good. Hey, holy wonderworkers! Do not despise our prayers, offered to you today with tenderness, but awaken for us to intercede with the Lord in your dreams, and with your help make us worthy to improve eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven: let us glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we worship God, in forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Saints Peter and Fevronia for marriage:

O saints of God, blessed Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia, we come running to you and pray to you with strong hope: offer up your holy prayers for us sinners (names) to the Lord God and ask His goodness for all that is useful to our souls and bodies: faith right, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, success in good deeds. And petition the Heavenly King for a prosperous life and a good Christian death. Hey, holy wonderworkers! Do not despise our prayers, but awaken in your dreams to intercede with the Lord, and with your help make us worthy to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, so that we glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we worship God forever and ever.

Prayer to Saints Peter and Fevronia for the return of a loved one:

I appeal to the great miracle workers, saints, Saints Peter and Fevronia! I bow in repentance before you, begging for the love of God’s servant (name). I hope for mercy and help. O Great Murom Wonderworkers, ask the Lord God to bestow a blessing. I ask you to help my heart calm down, to send me the love of God’s servant (name). I believe in your truth and strength.

Peter and Fevronia of Murom are an example of the most difficult marriage, the most difficult relationships of grinding and the victory of Love over all circumstances. Glorified by God, our patrons of a happy marriage help in family matters and in choosing a life partner. Everyone who wants to save their relationship, as well as those looking for a faithful companion, prays to their spouses about this and receives support and help.