A very famous holiday is Valentine's Day. There is probably no person on our planet who has not heard of him. But few people know about the Day of Family, Loyalty, Love, which is celebrated on July 8 (Slavic Valentine's Day). Let's get acquainted with the history of this holiday and its traditions, because it is part of our culture.

July 8, Family Day: history of the holiday

Since childhood, we have come across a touching saying in fairy tales: “They lived happily ever after and died on the same day.” It is borrowed from a famous story that children study back in the primary school schools. The work, which has become a monument of ancient Russian literature, was written in the 16th century. It was based on oral Murom legends.

The main characters in the story are Peter and Fevronia of Murom - faithful spouses who showed the main spiritual values ​​with their lives. The story of their love passed through several centuries, was not lost among other works and was not forgotten. She marked the beginning of a bright holiday, which recently began to be celebrated in Russia on July 8 (Day of Family, Love and Fidelity).

The Tale of Peter and Fevronia

The main characters who appear to the readers in the story are identified with the Murom prince and his wife. Peter suffered from leprosy. He could not get rid of his tormenting illness. Nobody was able to help him. One day the prince had a dream in which he saw that only Fevronia, a peasant woman, the daughter of a beekeeper, could cure him of a terrible disease.

Having met with a young and kind beauty, the prince spoke about his illness. Fevronia said that she would cure him, but in return he must marry her. The prince agreed to this condition. He was attracted not only by the cure, but also by the girl’s piety, wisdom, and beauty. Fevronia healed Peter, and he kept his promise.

The boyars, having learned about the event, condemned the prince. They demanded that he give up his wife, because she was a commoner. Peter did not take such a step, because it did not matter to him what origin Fevronia had. Together with his wife, he left Murom and abandoned the principality. Such an attitude towards Fevronia, love for her became an eternal example. To pass on such examples of values ​​to new generations, the holiday of July 8 was created in modern times - the Day of Peter and Fevronia, the holiday of Valentine's Day.

Return to the city and continuation of the love story

Murom did not exist for long without Peter and Fevronia. The outbreak of unrest, the ongoing murders and atrocities frightened the boyars. People, concerned about their future fate, asked the prince to return to the city with his wife. Peter and Fevronia agreed to this.

When Peter became a prince again, his marriage did not collapse. Fevronia arrived and was able to win the respect of the people living in this city. Her life-giving power of love was so great that poles stuck in the ground turned into beautiful trees with her blessing. With her wisdom and kindness, she endeared herself to the townspeople. Fevronia never insulted those people who did not love her. She tried to teach her opponents a harmless lesson, to show them the mistakes they made in life.

Death that cannot part

July 8 - Day of Family, Love and Fidelity - personifies eternal love. She was in the lives of Peter and Fevronia. People who once wanted to separate a married couple were unable to do so. This turned out to be beyond the control not only of them, but also of death. When the couple felt the end of their lives approaching, they asked God to die on the same day and hour and prepared for themselves a common coffin made of stone with a thin partition.

In old age, Peter and Fevronia went to male and female monasteries. When the prince felt that he was dying, he sent to his wife to inform him that he was waiting for her and wanted to leave this world with her. As a result, Peter and Fevronia died on the same day.

After the death of their spouses, people put their bodies in separate coffins. The townspeople could not fulfill the desire of the dead to be buried in one coffin, because they considered such an act incompatible with the monastic path that Peter followed with Fevronia. The bodies were left in different monasteries, and the next day they were discovered together. People decided to make another attempt and again separated Peter and Fevronia, but in the end nothing worked out for them. The bodies of the spouses again ended up in a single coffin. For the third time, the residents of Murom no longer separated them. Peter and Fevronia were buried together.

The appearance of the holiday in Russia

In 1547, Peter and Fevronia were canonized as saints of God, that is, they were canonized. The couple began to be considered saints. Their memorial day fell on June 25 (July 8, new style). In 2001, Valentin Kachevan, who is the mayor of Murom, proposed making the 8th of July a holiday. A huge number of people's signatures were collected. All of them were sent to the State Duma.

The measures taken were not in vain. The Day of the Holy Princes Peter and Fevronia has become the All-Russian Day of Family Happiness and Marital Love. From now on, July 8 is a holiday. A special organizing committee was created to develop the attributes and symbols of this special day of the year. It was headed by Svetlana Medvedeva, who is the wife of Dmitry Medvedev, who was president at that time.

Symbolism of Family Day, fidelity and love

The created organizing committee developed what was included in its plans. The symbol of the holiday is the chamomile, which has a pair of multi-colored petals among its white petals. One petal is colored blue and the other is red. Chamomile was approved for a reason. This flower has long been considered a symbol of love. Chamomiles were used for fortune-telling “loves or dislikes”. They were also given by young men and women to their ladies and wives as a sign of respect, attention and love.

The organizing committee has also developed a medal “For Love and Fidelity” to be awarded on July 8 to those families in our country who can serve as an example for other people. On one side of the medal there is a portrait of the saints - Peter and Fevronia. Opposite side decorated with the symbol of the holiday - a beautiful daisy.

Monuments to the Murom couple

In connection with the advent of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, monuments to Peter and Fevronia began to be erected in Russia. The first of them appeared in 2008 in Murom, where a couple in love once lived. The sculptural composition was made according to the design of Nikolai Shcherbakov under the title “Union of Love - Wise Marriage” and installed in front of the city registry office on July 8. The holiday on this day was illuminated in Murom precisely from this event. The following year, monuments to Peter and Fevronia appeared in Arkhangelsk, Sochi, Ulyanovsk, Yaroslavl, and Abakan. Later they were erected in other populated areas our country.

To date, the idea of ​​​​creating a monument to July 8 has been implemented in more than 60 Russian cities. All sculptures look different, because they were not created according to a single model. Each project has its own author, who came up with a certain image and embodied it in stone, but the meaning of all monuments is the same - it is the personification of a family, eternal love and loyalty.

Traditions and signs of the holiday

On the Day of Saints Peter and Fevronia, it has become a good tradition to come to the monument. This is done by both couples in love and single people who dream of finding their soulmate. It is also customary for newlyweds to come to the sculpture of Peter and Fevronia and ask the saints for help in maintaining love and fidelity to each other.

It has become a tradition and sign that marriages take place on July 8th. There is a belief that people who enter into an alliance on this day will live a long and happy life together. Their marriage will be strong and prosperous. Years will not be able to destroy it.

On July 8, starting in 2008, the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity is widely celebrated in all Russian cities.

Many consider it a worthy alternative to Valentine's Day, which came from abroad. Indeed, in the domestic holiday there is more spiritual love and admiration for loyalty and devotion. And all because the holiday is closely associated with Saints Peter and Fevronia - a couple who are an example of ideal family relationships.

This Orthodox holiday is celebrated in forty countries around the world, but the main celebrations take place in the city of Murom, Vladimir region.

The story of the difficult life and great love of Peter and Fevronia:

Prince Peter, who was the son of Prince Yuri of Murom, was struck by terrible leprosy. All attempts to cure the unfortunate man from his illness ended in failure; no one could restore Peter’s health. Having almost resigned himself to his fate, the man saw an unusual dream in which it was revealed to him that there was a girl in the world who could heal the affected body. In a prophetic dream, the name of the savior was revealed to Peter - Fevronia.

Fevronia was a peasant woman from a Ryazan village, the daughter of an ordinary beekeeper. Since childhood, the girl studied herbs and had the gift of healing; even wild animals obeyed her and did not dare to show aggression. The young prince immediately liked the amazingly kind and beautiful young lady, and he promised that he would marry the beauty immediately after his recovery. Fevronia put the man on his feet, but he did not keep his promise and did not lead the village girl down the aisle. Most likely, this was the reason that leprosy fell on the prince’s head with greater force.

The messengers went for the healer for the second time, and Fevronia did not refuse treatment to the deceiver and again gave him health. After this, Peter married his savior and until the end of his days he did not regret what he had done. According to legend, the spouses lived in love, harmony and respect, never deceived each other and always spoke flatteringly about their other halves.

After the death of his elder brother, Peter was destined to take city power into his own hands. The boyars approved of the respected ruler, but the simple peasant woman did not give them peace - no one wanted to see a representative of the lower class in power. The boyars' wives constantly slandered Fevronia, persuading their husbands to drive away the clever and beautiful woman they disliked. One day, the prince was given an ultimatum - either drive his beloved wife out of the house, or leave the post of ruler. Peter did not think for a long time, but chose to renounce power and decided to leave Murom altogether.

In exile, the young, wise princess supported her saddened husband in every possible way. When there were difficulties with food and money in the house, she always found a wonderful solution. Peter still idolized his betrothed and never once reproached his beloved for the fact that for her sake he had to leave his high post and live in deprivation.

However, the deprivations of the princely couple did not last long; the Murom boyars soon realized that without a competent ruler it would be difficult to maintain order in the city. Having come to their senses, they sent messengers for the prince and asked him to return with his wife to his hometown and again take up the post of mayor. Peter consulted with Fevronia and the couple, without resisting, returned home.

In love and harmony, the devoted spouses Peter and Fevronia lived until old age, and when they reached gray hair, took monasticism under the names Euphrosyne and David. As monks, the spouses who tenderly loved each other prayed to God to die on the same day. Dreaming of being together in heaven, they prepared a coffin for themselves, with only a thin partition separating the two bodies.

Tradition says that the elderly monks actually departed to another world on one day - it happened on June 25, 1228 according to the strict calendar, which corresponds to July 8 according to the current calendar. Living, as befits monks, in different cells, they died in one hour.

The monks were afraid of the wrath of the Lord and did not put the dead in one coffin - there had never been such burials in Christianity. The bodies of the deceased were in different temples, but somehow miraculously they ended up nearby. After such a miracle happened for the second time, the monks decided to bury the loving spouses together near the Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Only 300 years after their death, Prince Peter of Murom and his wife Fevronia were canonized. The Orthodox Church declared them patrons of the family, and the relics of the saints found peace in the Holy Trinity Convent in the city of Murom. July 8 in the Orthodox calendar is considered the Day of Peter and Fevronia.

In 2008, the celebration of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity was officially approved, and soon approved by the Interreligious Council of Russia. The symbol of the holiday of pure and selfless love has become chamomile - a flower that is especially popular among all lovers. Later, Family Day got its own medal, with a daisy depicted on one side and the faces of Peter and Fevronia on the other. The medal is traditionally awarded to married couples in whom love and mutual understanding reign.

Happy holiday to all Orthodox Christians!

July 8 is a holiday dedicated to the patron saints of fidelity and love, Peter and Fevronia. It has existed since the 16th century, when saints were recognized by the church. This is love, the fidelity of lovers.

Roots of the 8th of July holiday

In the 13th century, events took place thanks to which Russia now has such a bright holiday.

According to legend, Prince Peter became very seriously ill after killing a snake that was flying to his brother's wife. The blood of the serpent fell on the prince and poisoned him. Even the best doctors at the court could not cure him.

One day, the Murom prince had a dream about a maiden - the wonderworker Fevronia from Ryazan. In a dream, he was shown that only she could cure him of a terrible illness. The girl was found, and she agreed to cure Peter. But in exchange for recovery, she demanded that the prince marry her. Peter agreed. Fevronia cured him. But the prince did not keep his word. The boyars dissuaded him from marrying a commoner. Then the illness overcame him again. And again the peasant woman took pity on the prince and healed him. This time the prince kept his word. And they got married.

Since then they lived in love and harmony. They accepted monasticism. They did a lot of good for their people. And they died on the same day. Despite their order, the spouses were buried in different places. However, the very next morning they were found together in one coffin. So, a loving couple did not want to part even after going to eternal sleep.

Three centuries later, Peter and Fevronia were canonized. Now their relics are located at the monastery of the Church of the Holy Trinity. And the saints themselves are considered patrons of families.

Traditions and signs associated with the holiday

July 8 is the day of marriage blessing. It is believed that a marriage concluded on this bright day will be eternal and happy.

There is a sign associated with family trading. If a male seller trades with his wife all day on July 8, then their family will always have material wealth.

You can predict the weather on this day. The sun is clear all day on July 8 - a sign that the next forty days will be warm and clear. A cloudy day is a sign that the whole month will be cool and rainy.

On the day of Saints Peter and Fevronia, it is forbidden to swim in reservoirs. According to legend, on this day mermaids pull people to their bottom. But people who have not yet found their love can give a red ribbon to the water maiden on this day, make a love wish, and it will come true.

The appearance of the holiday

Despite the fact that for several centuries the saints have been considered family patrons, and the day of their death, the eighth of July, is considered a special day, the holiday was recognized as an all-Russian holiday only in 2008, in the Year of the Family. Now the whole country celebrates July 8th

The idea of ​​creating, or rather renewing, the holiday initially came to the minds of the residents of Murom. After all, it was on their land that all the legendary events associated with Peter and his wife Fevronia took place. And it is in Murom, in the convent, that the relics of these two saints are kept, who work miracles: they heal from illnesses and help to start and strengthen a family. The Holy Trinity Monastery even keeps a book of records of miracles performed by the relics of saints.

In March, the idea of ​​the Murom residents was approved by the Russian Council. Thus a new holiday appeared on the calendar.

Love day symbol

The symbol of the holiday was chamomile. It is this flower that has always been considered a sign of love in Russia. I immediately remember fortune-telling on petals - “loves - does not love.” In addition, the summer holiday is the time of flowering. And this symbol is clear to everyone, because chamomile flowers grow throughout the country.

It is customary to decorate the venue of the celebration on holiday with daisies, both live and artificial, and made from paper and other things. You can also give greeting cards to your loved ones with images of these flowers, as well as the flowers themselves.

The holiday should be spent with your family. It would be nice for the spouses to have a romantic one. In general, this day can be celebrated in the same way as they celebrate. But our Russian holiday is no longer aimed only at young people, but at lovers and family people of all ages.

08.07.2016 - 7:00

Since 2008, Russia has officially celebrated a very important and beautiful holiday on July 8 - the All-Russian Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. This year the holiday will be held in the Lugansk People's Republic for the first time.

On July 8, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, the miracle workers - Orthodox patrons of marriage in Rus', whose life is an example of love and fidelity for all married couples. The initiative to create the holiday belonged to the residents of Murom, and in 2008 the holiday became official and all-Russian. This is exactly the kind of holiday that was missing in modern society. In addition, this Russian Orthodox and at the same time civil holiday is a worthy alternative to the Catholic February 14th.

The marital union of Saints Peter and Fevronia was an example of Christian marriage. Their life is the story of a relationship between a man and a woman who managed to overcome all the difficulties of a long and difficult earthly journey, revealing the ideal of a Christian family. The joys and problems that they had to face eight centuries ago are still relevant today - they are timeless. The holy spouses show us exactly those mental and spiritual qualities of a person that are necessary to create a true family.

Historians associate the names of St. Peter and Fevronia with Prince David Yuryevich and his wife Efrosinya. From 1205, for 23 years, Prince David Yurievich ruled in Murom. According to the chronicles, shortly before the start of his reign, he fell ill with a terrible disease, his body was covered with ulcers, and no treatment helped. It is assumed that the prince was sick with leprosy.

Once in a dream, David Yuryevich had a vision that near Ryazan, in the village of Laskovaya, there lived a young girl named Efrosinya, who alone could heal him. The virgin was wise beyond her years and well versed in the healing properties of herbs. The future Prince David turned to her for help.

Before curing him, Euphrosyne made David promise that he would make her his wife. David did not keep his word, considering the commoner an unworthy bride. But then the illness manifested itself with renewed vigor, and David again had to ask Euphrosyne for healing. This time he kept his promise and took her as his wife.

Already in old age, the pious spouses took monastic vows in different monasteries with the names Peter and Fevronia. In their prayers, the couple asked God to die on the same day. And so it happened. In 1228, on June 25 according to the old style or July 8 according to the new style, the Orthodox Saints Peter and Fevronia left this world for eternal life.

In the 16th century, the couple were canonized.

The first written text dedicated to them, “The Tale of Peter and Fevronia of Murom”, was also written approximately in the 15th–16th centuries. In Rus', for many centuries there has been a wonderful tradition - to arrange an engagement on July 8th. Today you can venerate the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom in the Holy Trinity Monastery in the city of Murom.

Researchers agree: despite legendary history the acquaintances of Peter and Fevronia, the information telling about their life after the wedding, are quite reliable. The chronicle also tells about the miraculous healing of Peter, numerous miracles that the righteous spouses performed and their death on the same day and hour.

Their lives are close to most of us, and therefore their story will never lose its relevance. From an everyday point of view, there was only one truly difficult moment in the fate of Peter and Fevronia. Immediately after the wedding, Prince Peter is faced with a dilemma: his young wife or everything else that happened in his life. Marrying a peasant woman does not find support among the urban elite of Murom. The boyars openly declare this, first to the prince, and then to Fevronia herself. They offer the prince a choice: renunciation of his title (which means exile and poverty) or dissolution of the marriage.

Prince Peter finds it hard to bear what is happening, but nevertheless makes a choice in favor of his wife. From now on, he is no longer a prince, and together with his wife he must go into exile. The couple is being transported on a boat along the Oka River away from Murom... This story is resolved unexpectedly quickly and safely.

It turns out that Prince Peter was a key figure in the political life of the influential city. The struggle for power begins immediately; on the first night after his abdication, representatives of the boyar clans try to launch a preemptive strike on their opponents, which develops into a massacre. Realizing that all this could end in chaos and civil war, the rulers of Murom call the prince back. From now on, the question of his “unequal marriage” is not raised.

The main thing in this episode is the reasons for the choice made by the spouses. Peter does not assert “the primacy of the personal over the public,” but simply follows in his actions the Christian law of love and mercy. IN difficult situation When it was possible to cheat or obey rational, egoistic considerations, the prince obeys the law of the heart. His wife was given to him by God, and he cannot go against the will of God. The prince is not looking for personal benefit, profit, but is trying to follow the path that the Lord showed him.

On the first day of exile, a dialogue took place between the spouses, which is given in the Tale: “Evening was approaching, they began to moor to the shore. Here blessed Prince Peter was overcome with thoughts: “How will I continue to live, having left the autocracy by my own will?” The devoted princess Fevronia answers him: “Do not grieve, prince: the merciful God, the Creator and Provider of everything, will not leave us in poverty!”

They trust in God and believe Him - this is the most “unmodern”, but the most important characteristic their relationship. Spouses are always guided not by selfishness and the search for what is convenient for themselves, but by faith and hope in the One who gave them life and blessed their marriage.

As we remember, the prince, separated from Fevronia, by the Providence of God, falls ill again - and this event expresses the highest meaning of Christian marriage. The prince’s illness is a symbol of the flawed nature of human nature itself, which he cannot correct alone.

Peter’s medicine is Fevronia herself, a woman sent to him by God as his life partner. Only next to her was the prince healed, and only together can they rise to a new spiritual level: their earthly love and the love of God turn out to be inseparable from each other. That’s why Fevronia doesn’t let the prince go: she already feels that without her he will die. Over time, Peter himself understands this. Thus began their common journey in life and their joint path to God.

For Orthodox Church Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom have great value primarily as a symbol of a special spiritual path, in which the comprehension of God is inextricably linked with the relationship between two people. A man and a woman are created for each other, their union in itself embodies the Divine plan. But this connection is possible only if a person sees in another person a unique personality created in the image of God. And the prince, for the sake of his wife, renounced his position and voluntarily went into exile and poverty. But for this loyalty he was then rewarded by God.

There is a widespread idea that a true Christian must suffer exclusively in earthly life in order to accumulate “spiritual capital” for the future life. However, the story of the Russian saints Peter and Fevronia refutes this idea. Life in Christ becomes real happiness for them, which they find in love for each other.

This is the meaning of the holiday of Family Day, love and fidelity, based on Orthodox traditions and folk wisdom and preaching the strength and inviolability of family ties, the pious attitude of spouses, respect for parents, love for children.

Celebrations in honor of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity this year in Moscow will last three whole days - from July 8 to 10.

According to the head of the capital's Department of Culture, Alexander Kibovsky, an additional two days were specially set aside for celebrations so that as many people as possible could take part in them.

The center of the holiday will be an amusement park in Tsaritsyno, which will feature programs interesting for all ages. The culmination of the celebrations in Tsaritsino will be a festive concert, and a total of 27 festive venues will be organized in the city.

Festive events this year will take place in many other cities and villages throughout all regions of Russia. Festive events are focused on people's interests different ages and different marital status. Their programs include honoring newlyweds and married couples who have lived together for many years, and presenting memorial signs. The “Serenades for Loved Ones” venue promises to be romantic and especially memorable. Here the knights of our time will be able to make an original declaration of love to their Beautiful Ladies by performing a serenade for them.

Chamomile was chosen as the symbol of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.

Since ancient times, this wildflower, common in Russia, has been considered a sign of love. Because love was understood here not just as a heartfelt feeling (which is what the “Valentine” in the shape of a heart symbolizes), but as fate and a life test - and like a flower in a field, it is open to all winds and frosts, but must withstand and withstand any difficulties.

This is precisely what Orthodox people ask for help from the holy believers Peter and Fevronia.

How does our Day of Family, Love and Fidelity differ in meaning from the Western “Valentine’s Day”?

The Western holiday also has church origins, but has gone very far from its Christian roots. IN church calendar Under the date February 14 there is a mention of the three Saint Valentines. All of them lived in the first centuries of our era, during the period of persecution of Christians, and were martyrs who died for the faith. Since the church was united at that time, these saints are revered by both Catholics and Orthodox.

Tradition to celebrate St. Valentine as “Lovers' Day” appeared in Western Europe from the end of the 14th century. According to popular belief, on this day birds begin to look for a mate.

In France and England the life of St. Valentina gradually began to acquire legends associated with the secret wedding of couples in love. According to legend, the Roman Emperor Claudius II decided that a single man, unencumbered by a wife and family, would be better off fighting on the battlefield for the glory of Caesar, and forbade soldiers to marry.

The secret Christian Valentin was a field doctor who sympathized with unhappy lovers and, secretly from everyone, sanctified the marriage under the cover of darkness. loving men and women. Soon the activities of Saint Valentine became known to the authorities, and he was executed on February 14, 269. But in prison, the martyr Valentin managed to meet the guard’s daughter Julia, and before his execution, he wrote her a declaration of love and signed it “Your Valentine.” It was read after he was executed. Many centuries later, following the legend, such notes began to be called “Valentines”.

As we see, the Western holiday is also based on a story of sacrificial love - but it does not concern the whole fate and married life, but only the story of a romantic acquaintance. Therefore, in our time, this holiday has actually degenerated into its opposite - instead of pure love, it preaches only casual relationships, non-binding fornication. In contrast, our Day of Family, Love and Fidelity sanctifies married life, fidelity and heroism for each other.

Vitaly Darensky, LPR, for “Russian Spring”

July 8 is a holiday dedicated to the patron saints of fidelity and love, Peter and Fevronia. It has existed since the 16th century, when saints were recognized by the church. This is a day of family, love, fidelity of lovers.

Roots of the 8th of July holiday

In the 13th century, events took place thanks to which Russia now has such a bright holiday.

According to legend, Prince Peter became very seriously ill after killing a snake that was flying to his brother's wife. The blood of the serpent fell on the prince and poisoned him. Even the best doctors at the court could not cure him.

One day, the Murom prince had a dream about a maiden - the wonderworker Fevronia from Ryazan. In a dream, he was shown that only she could cure him of a terrible illness. The girl was found, and she agreed to cure Peter. But in exchange for recovery, she demanded that the prince marry her. Peter agreed. Fevronia cured him. But the prince did not keep his word. The boyars dissuaded him from marrying a commoner. Then the illness overcame him again. And again the peasant woman took pity on the prince and healed him. This time the prince kept his word. And they got married.

Since then they lived in love and harmony. They accepted monasticism. They did a lot of good for their people. And they died on the same day. Despite their order, the spouses were buried in different places. However, the very next morning they were found together in one coffin. So, a loving couple did not want to part even after going to eternal sleep.

Three centuries later, Peter and Fevronia were canonized. Now their relics are located at the monastery of the Church of the Holy Trinity. And the saints themselves are considered patrons of families.

Traditions and signs associated with the holiday

July 8 is the day of marriage blessing. It is believed that a marriage concluded on this bright day will be eternal and happy.

There is a sign associated with family trading. If a male seller trades with his wife all day on July 8, then their family will always have material wealth.

You can predict the weather on this day. The sun is clear all day on July 8 - a sign that the next forty days will be warm and clear. A cloudy day is a sign that the whole month will be cool and rainy.

On the day of Saints Peter and Fevronia, it is forbidden to swim in reservoirs. According to legend, on this day mermaids pull people to their bottom. But people who have not yet found their love can give a red ribbon to the water maiden on this day, make a love wish, and it will come true.

The appearance of the holiday

Despite the fact that for several centuries the saints have been considered family patrons, and the day of their death, the eighth of July, is considered a special day, the holiday was recognized as an all-Russian holiday only in 2008, in the Year of the Family. Now on July 8th the whole country celebrates the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.

The idea of ​​creating, or rather renewing, the holiday initially came to the minds of the residents of Murom. After all, it was on their land that all the legendary events associated with Peter and his wife Fevronia took place. And it is in Murom, in the convent, that the relics of these two saints are kept, who work miracles: they heal from illnesses and help to start and strengthen a family. The Holy Trinity Monastery even keeps a book of records of miracles performed by the relics of saints.

In March 2008, the idea of ​​the Murom residents was approved by the Russian Council. Thus a new holiday appeared on the calendar.

Love day symbol

The symbol of the holiday was chamomile. It is this flower that has always been considered a sign of love in Russia. I immediately remember fortune-telling on petals - “loves - does not love.” In addition, the summer holiday is the time of flowering. And this symbol is clear to everyone, because chamomile flowers grow throughout the country.

It is customary to decorate the venue of a celebration on a holiday with daisies, both live and artificial, and made from balloons, paper and other things. You can also give greeting cards to your loved ones with images of these flowers, as well as the flowers themselves.

The holiday should be spent with your family. It would be nice for spouses to have a romantic dinner for two. In general, this day can be celebrated in the same way as Valentine's Day is celebrated. But our Russian holiday is no longer aimed only at young people, but at lovers and family people of all ages.