Traditions on Peter and Paul Day

The Christian Church celebrates the feast of Peter and Paul on July 12. Or, if you call the holiday correctly, the Day of the Holy First Apostles Peter and Paul. They were the most zealous disciples of Christ, diligently preaching his teaching, and later died for their faith. The holiday is celebrated and honored by believers all over the world, and this day is filled with traditions, rituals, and prohibitions.





Editorial "Site" tell you, what can and cannot be done On this bright summer holiday, what prohibitions to pay attention to and what prayers to offer the apostles.

Peter and Paul Day is celebrated by the Christian Church on July 12. It is believed that this is the day of the transfer of the relics of the apostles to the catacombs of St. Sebastian in 258. However, July 12 is considered the day when both apostles accepted their martyrdom.

It is still unknown whether the apostles died on the same day, or whether Paul was executed a year after Peter’s death. The apostles were sentenced to death during the reign of Emperor Nero. The saints were honored immediately after their death. And with the appearance of temples in their honor in 324, this holiday became one of the most respected among Christians.





On this day Petrov’s fast ends and Peter’s festivities begin, which continue until the first Savior. But there is an important detail: if the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday, then the fast continues. Peter and Paul Day in 2019 falls on a Friday, so abstinence from food continues.

Of course, on this holiday, believers around the world adhere to some traditions. As in any religious holiday, it is customary to go to church for service on Peter and Paul Day. People offer prayers to the apostles, put candles and help those in need.



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There is another beautiful ritual - to meet the sunrise on this day. This tradition fell in love with young people who even before dawn went out into the field and waited for the sun to appear on the horizon. It was believed that this morning it will play with all the colors of the rainbow. People believed that those who see this phenomenon, waiting for a happy and long life.

After the dawn, festive festivities usually began: people danced, sang, danced. Great Petrovsky fairs were definitely arranged. It was also customary to wash with spring water. In this way, people got rid of diseases, took away misfortunes and misfortunes. To make it work, you had to wash in three streams.

This was a special day for the girls, they could guess on the betrothed. The girls believed that if you walk through 12 fields on July 12 and collect 12 herbs there, and put them under the pillow in the evening, the future groom will come at night.





Now let’s talk a little bit about the bans of the day. In order not to bring harm to themselves and their home, our ancestors carefully adhered to the following rules.

Rules of celebration
  1. It is forbidden to work on this day. Physical labor is not welcome: you can not clean, wash and iron. Therefore, the holiday was prepared in advance: cleaned, whitewashed the house, decorated it with field flowers and tree branches.
  2. It is important to avoid quarrels and conflicts on this holiday. Peter’s Day is a good excuse to apologize to all those with whom you are in a quarrel. The day is best spent in humility and prayer.
  3. Our ancestors believed that it is impossible to rest on the water on this day. Peter was considered the patron saint of fishermen, so they prayed, consecrated water and washed in springs, but never bathed so that the water did not take them as a sacrifice. Be careful with the water this day.
  4. It is impossible to sew, knit and embroidery on Peter and Paul Day.
  5. The wedding was forbidden.
  6. Even though Petrov’s fast was over, the church still forbade drinking alcohol. You can't give in to gluttony.
  7. According to ancient traditions, it was forbidden to remove food from the table after dinner on Peter and Paul Day. It was believed that treats remain for deceased relatives. If the rule was violated, you had to go to church and put a candle for repose.

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Believers often turn to the apostles for help and offer them prayers. And on this day it is necessary to do it. Go to church, light a candle for the saints and pray.

Prayer to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul for the Holy Apostle Peter and Paul, do not depart in spirit from us, sinful servants of God (names), that we may not be completely separated from the love of God, but by your strong intercession protect us, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may the manuscript of our immeasurable sins be destroyed, and may the holy ones of His blessed Kingdom and marriage, His Lamb, and His honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship in eternity.





Now you know what you can and can’t do on this holiday. I hope you have learned a lot for yourself. Together with the day of Agrafena Bathing and Ivan Kupala Petrov, the day is a cycle of bright summer holidays, marking the full flowering of the forces of nature. So spend this holiday in peace, love and fun.

How do you celebrate Peter's Day? Tell us in the comments about the traditions and rituals that are observed in your home on this holiday.

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