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Commemorated on June 25
Holy Prince Peter,
in monasticism David, and Holy Princess Febronia, in monasticsm Evphrosynia,
Murom Wonderworkers: Holy Prince Peter was the second son of the Murom
prince Yurii Vladimirovich. He entered upon the throne of Murom in the year
1203. Several years before this Saint Peter had fallen ill with leprosy, from
which no one was able to heal him. In a dream vision it was revealed to the
prince, that the daughter of a bee-keeper would be able to heal him – the
pious maiden Febronia, a peasant of Laskova village in Ryazan gubernia. Saint
Peter sent his emissaries to this village.
When the prince saw
Saint Febronia, he so fell in love with her for her piety, wisdom and virtue,
that he made a vow to marry her after being healed. Saint Febronia healed the
prince and became his wife. The holy couple loved each other through all their
ordeals. The haughty boyars did not wish to have a princess of commoner's
origin and they urged, that the prince leave her. But Saint Peter refused, and
so they banished the couple. They sailed off on a boat from their native city
along the River Oka. Saint Febronia continued to console Saint Peter. But soon
the wrath of God fell upon the city of Murom, and the people urged, that the
prince return together with Saint Febronia.
The holy couple was
famous for its piety and charity. They died on the same day and hour – 25 June
1228, having before this taken monastic tonsure with the names David and
Evphrosynia. The bodies of the saints were put in the same grave.
Saints Peter and
Febronia showed themselves exemplary models of Christian marriage.
By their prayers they
bring down Heavenly blessing upon those entering into marriage.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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