Congratulations on the Day of Remembrance of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Muromtranslated

Dear brothers and sisters!

I greet you all from the bottom of my heart and congratulate you on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity! This wonderful holiday was established on the day of remembrance of the holy spouses, the blessed Prince Peter and Book Fevronia of Murom, whose life shows us an example of the beauty and holiness of family life.

Family is one of the foundations of human existence; it is a Divine institution. The Orthodox Church regards marriage as a genuine sacrament, thanks to which two people, a man and a woman, become one flesh. As the holy righteous Alexy of Moscow (Mechev) said, even being different at first, in an honest marriage over time the spouses “become close and live to the point that one heart and one spirit are formed.”

In Christianity, the family is called the “small Church.” This means that Christ Himself is always present among people who are close and love each other. It is a place where love multiplies and where everyone - from the youngest to the oldest - feels warm and cared for.

Today, many people are afraid to have children, they are afraid to have large families. Yes, children are a responsibility, an expense, and a lot of worries. But I think everyone who has a large family is ready to confirm that children are happiness...