July 8 - Slavic Valentine's Day

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

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

Roots of July 8

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

According to legend, Prince Peter fell seriously ill after he killed a snake that flew to his brother's wife. The snake's blood fell on the prince and poisoned him. Not even the best healers in the court could heal him.

Once the Prince of Murom had a dream about a maiden - the miracle worker 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 return 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 disease overcame him again. And again the peasant woman took pity on the prince and cured him. This time the prince kept his word. And they got married.

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

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

Traditions and signs associated with the holiday

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

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

The weather can be predicted from 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 the reservoirs. According to legend, on this day mermaids drag 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 advent 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 as an All-Russian holiday was recognized only in 2008, the Year of the Family. Now on July 8 the whole country celebrates the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.

The idea of creating, or rather resumingholiday, originally came to the mind of the inhabitants of Murom. After all, it was on their land that all the legendary events related to Peter and his wife Fevronia took place. And it is in Murom, in the women's monastery, that the relics of these two saints are kept, who work miracles: they heal from diseases and help to start and strengthen a family. The monastery of the Holy Trinity even keeps a book of records of miracles performed by the relics of the saints.

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

Love Day Symbol

Camomile became the symbol of the holiday. It is this flower that has always been considered a sign of love in Russia. I immediately recall fortune-telling on the 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 for the celebration with daisies, both live and artificial, and made from balloons, paper and other things. You can also give your loved ones greeting cards with the image of these flowers, as well as the flowers themselves.

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