Russian Orthodox church marks "alternative Valentine`s Day"
http://www.gateway2russia.com - The Russian Orthodox celebrate their own kind of Valentine's Day on July 8. The Russian Orthodox Church venerates St Peter and Fevronia of Murom as patrons of wedded love and fidelity.
According to an Orthodox legend, Peter became the Prince of Murom in 1203. Several years before he had caught leprosy which he was told in a dream could only be cured by Fevronia, a beekeeper's daughter. When the prince saw Fevronia, he loved her for piety, wisdom and kindness and vowed to marry her after he was cured. Fevronia healed the prince and married him. The saint couple's love and fidelity stood many tests. St Peter and Fevronia died on one hour on July 8, 1228 professing themselves before that as David and Euphrosyne. The saints' bodies were laid in one coffin. In about 300 years after their death, Peter and Fevronia were canonised. The Russian Orthodox pray on July 8 for love and family harmony.