The day of Peter and Fevronia in pre-revolutionary Russia was widely celebrated, the deeds of the saints were known to the nobility and ordinary people. People of different positions in society turned to them for help in creating a family, because marriage is the most important component of life. In the Russian tradition, these saints became the personification of family love, accessible to every person. They help not only in creating marriage. Married couples dreaming of a baby are asking for help with sincere prayer, many will receive it soon. It is no accident that the monument to Fevronia and Peter is in many cities of Russia. These monuments are erected as part of the "With the Family" program.
Family program
The program "With the family" was launched in 2004 and received the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II. Its mission is to revive family values, which since ancient times include large families, caring for the elderly, fidelity, the joy of motherhood and fatherhood, and a responsible attitude to marriage. The best role models were the saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, who lived a wonderful, pious family life, thereby proving that eternal love exists.
Monuments to Fevronia and Peter as part of the program are erected in many Russian cities. The legend about the life of this married couple is being revived and helps young people to gain an understanding that marriage is not just a beautiful ceremony, but also a long life together, in which not everything is smooth, but difficulties are overcome only by joint efforts.
Peter and Fevronia: a legend
The history of Peter and Fevronia happened in the city of Murom in the 12-13th century. In the chronicles it is said that Fevronia was from ordinary people, her father was a poison frog (he extracted honey of wild bees in the hollows of trees). Peter belonged to the princely family. Defeating the fiery serpent, Peter fell ill: his whole body was covered with scabs, since he was soaked with the blood of a snake. No one could help him, the doctors were powerless. But he became aware that a simple girl Fevronia who lives in the village of Laskovo, located in Ryazan’s land, can cure him.
Fevronia was a deeply religious girl, gifted with a talent for foresight. She agreed to help, but she could cure the disease only if Peter took her as his wife. He promised, but, having been healed, he decided to buy off the commoner with expensive gifts, she did not accept them, and the young man fell ill again. Returning for help a second time, he received it again and this time got married. Having received the princely throne in Murom, the family couple ruled with good deeds, but the boyar wives did not like that they were ruled by a commoner, and they asked Peter to send his wife or leave with her.
The family couple left, and riots broke out in Murom, bloodshed, the boyars could not choose a new ruler and sent a messenger to Peter and Fevronia with a request to return to the principality, which they did without showing any offense. Three children were born to the Murom rulers, they lived a long life, took tonsure in old age, and retired to monasteries. Their only desire was to die on the same day and be buried in one coffin, which had already been prepared: a stone dominion, divided by a thin partition. When the time came, it happened. By tradition, monks of different sexes are not buried together. Three times they sought to divide them before burial, and all three times they miraculously found themselves together, then the people decided that God pleased it.
The spouses were buried in the cathedral of Murom church, which was built in gratitude for the military victory by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. In the Soviet period, the relics of saints were exhibited in the museum, and since 1992 they have been resting in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Murom. Memorial Day of the holy couple is celebrated on June 25th. The monument to Fevronia and Peter is erected in many cities as a reminder of the value and inviolability of the family and love.
Monument in Murom
On July 7, 2012, on the eve of the holiday of love and fidelity, a monument to Peter and Fevronia was unveiled in Murom. It is located near the Trinity Convent, on the Peasant Square. The opening took place in a festive atmosphere, the festival was attended by officials and many Murom people who know the history of their saints in detail.
The monument to Fevronia and Peter was created by sculptor V. Surovtsev and architect V. Syagin. Funds were provided by private individuals. The sculpture group is replete with symbols: the sword in princely hands is a symbol of the inviolability and strength of the Russian spirit, and the princess, who covers her husband’s shoulders with her veil, is a symbol of female wisdom, patronage and inspiration. A rabbit frolics at the feet of the couple, symbolizing fertility. From the traditions it is known that such an animal was a family pet.
Now the newlyweds have become a good tradition to come to the monument to Peter and Fevronia on the day of marriage in the city of Murom. The townspeople loved the sculpture for its artlessness, kindness, and the rabbit evokes the most joyful emotions in kids.
Annunciation Monument
In the city of Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region, a monument to Peter and Fevronia was erected on the Day of Love, Family and Fidelity, in 2011. In addition, on the day of the consecration of the monument, the 155th anniversary of the city was celebrated. The sculptural group consists of figures of a man and a woman dressed in traditional Russian clothes with princely differences. In the hands of the couple hold pigeons - a symbol of meekness and harmony. The author of the sculpture is K. Chernyavsky. The patrons' money was spent on creating the monument. The monument was installed near the main city registry office.
On the day the monument to family and love was unveiled in the city of Blagoveshchensk, it was consecrated by Archbishop Gabriel, who administers the entire Annunciation diocesan life. The opening of the new symbol of the city was attended by officials and citizens of the city.
South monument
The monument to Peter and Fevronia in Sochi was opened in 2009. The event traditionally took place on July 8th. The height of the sculptural group is more than 3 meters. This version of the monument depicts male and female figures in monastic robes, looking towards each other. Their meeting is about to take place, it seems that only a light touch of hands is not enough to make the sculptures come to life.
At the opening of the monument were invited couples who had been married for more than forty years. You can see it in the building of the central Sochi registry office. During its existence, it has gained popularity among newlyweds, residents and visitors, becoming another attraction of the southern resort.
Monument in Arkhangelsk
The monument to Peter and Fevronia in Arkhangelsk is installed at the intersection of ul. Loginov and the embankment over the Northern Dvina, near the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The opening took place in 2009 and was dedicated to the family holiday. The height of the monument is more than three meters. The sculptures of the composition are K. Chernyavsky, who became the author of most monuments of the couple in Russia.
According to the author’s idea, the sculptural composition reflects the moment the princely couple returned to Murom. Today, the monument has become a place of traditional pilgrimage for the newlyweds, where they bring flowers, take a memorable photo and leave closed castles that guarantee a strong indestructible marriage.
Yaroslavl attraction
In the framework of the program "In the circle of the family", the monument to Peter and Fevronia in Yaroslavl was opened in 2009 on Pervomaisky Boulevard, not far from the Kazan female monastery. The ceremony was attended by the author of the sculpture K. Chernyavsky, the administration and the clergy of the city. Couples were also invited to celebrate more than a quarter century of marriage. At the opening ceremony, they were awarded.
The newlyweds of Yaroslavl gladly bring flowers to the monument and ask the saints to bless them for a long life together in love and harmony.
Peter and Fevronia in Yeysk
The monument to Fevronia and Peter in Yeysk was installed in the park named after Ivan Poddubny, on the avenue "Happy childhood". The event took place in 2010, the sculptor A. Sknarin became the author of this monument, the monument reaches a height of three meters and is cast from bronze. Originally intended for the city of Bataysk (Rostov Region), but fate decreed otherwise, which the townspeople are happy about.
For many years, the Yeisk newlyweds have come to the monument to the Murom saints in order to honor their memory and gain support in their family life. Often at the foot of the monument, children play and examine wedding processions, while the bride and groom are asked to give them the same strong love and mutual respect that Peter and Fevronia had. In memory of the wedding day, they tie ribbons, lay bouquets.
