July 12 - what holiday in Orthodoxy? Day of the First-Ever Apostles Peter and Paul

There are practically no days in the Orthodox Church,which would not have been dedicated to the commemoration of this or that saint. But among others, some of them are particularly distinguished and revered as great. A vivid example of this kind of celebration is the day of the holy of the first-ever apostles Paul and Peter, the memory of which, according to the new style, takes place on July 12. What holiday can do without a corresponding legend? In this article, we will talk just about what caused the two people to become so revered, and even in one day.

Day of the Holy First Apostles

During the summer period, the Orthodox Churchjust two days of fasting: Uspensky in August and Petrovsky in June and July. It is he who ends exactly on July 12 - Petrov day. It is because the memory of this apostle finishes the time of his harassment that the post was nicknamed Petrovsky among the people. At the heart of the holiday, however, are events that are humanically very tragic - the violent death of two people. But in the refraction of the Christian dogma, the death of the righteous, accepted for truth, is only a transitional stage for him in the world of eternal life and endless bliss. And because, in essence, it is still a joyful event, which also gives the church a prayer book and an intercessor in heaven. Thus, when the two most authoritative in the first Christian church the apostle died, their death was imprinted in tradition as a great triumph. It is celebrated on June 29 according to the old style, which is on the new calendar taking place on July 12. The Orthodox holiday in this sense lags behind its Catholic counterpart for almost two weeks, as they adhere to the Gregorian calendar and celebrate the memory of the Apostles on June 29. The same applies, in general, to the majority of Orthodox jurisdictions that have switched to the New Julian calendar. True, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is not among them. And he continues to honor the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul in the old calendar.

About the personalities of the apostles

Peter and Paul - very different personalities, cardinallydiffering in character and temperament. If you believe the Holy Scripture, during the life between them there were even skirmishes and quarrels about various issues. But on the pedestal of the church glory they were together. This was promoted, as already mentioned, by their authority among Christians. Another reason, according to the legend, is the demise that took place one day. It happened, if they do not lie legends, in Rome, about the year 67, under Emperor Nero. And this day was imprinted in the memory of the people as the day of Peter and Paul. In fact, the apostles suffered at different times, and on that date, 258, the transfer of their remains took place. But the significance of this event has disappeared from the legend, and the day began to be associated with a general lump-sum death.

The Apostle Peter

Under the person of the apostle Peter disappearsa Galilean fisherman, named after Simon. He was the elder brother of the Apostle Andrew. He had no education, he was quick-tempered and jealous by nature. But it was to him that Christ, according to the Gospel, entrusted the leadership of the community after his death. Therefore, he is revered not just as an apostle, but as a first-rate apostle on the day of July 12th. What holiday in honor of the saints in its significance can be compared with this day? Probably, no, if you do not take into account the holidays dedicated to the Mother of God.

The Apostle Paul

As for the apostle Paul himself, among his owntribesmen, he was known under the name of Saul. A native of Tarsus, he came from a well-to-do family and received an excellent education. He was brought up in a strict Jewish spirit in the traditions of the party of the Pharisees, and therefore he was devoutly pedantic and zealous in matters relating to the Jewish law. This upbringing made him an irreconcilable enemy of a newly formed sect known as Christians. Saul from Tarsus is personally responsible for the broken lives of many of them, since he was officially engaged in capturing and punishing those who were keen on this "heresy". He also had the authority of the Jewish high priest, with whom he was sent once to Damascus, so that he could also expose those implicated in the teachings of Jesus the Nazarene. However, as the legend says, on the way he survived the supernatural conversion, after which he immediately received baptism and became the ardent preacher of Christianity himself. At the same time, his jealousy, strength and effectiveness of the sermon were so impressive that they eclipsed the successes of all the other apostles. Therefore, he was also awarded the title of First-Supreme Apostle.

history of the holiday

As already mentioned, the Apostles Paul and Peterare honored in the church on June 29 (July 12). What a holiday instead was at different times in different places, it is difficult to say. It is only known that several ancient church calendars are mentioned about this date. For example, Roman (IV century), Carthago (V century), the list of martyrs of St. Jerome (IV century). As to when and how the memory of these two pillars of faith was honored in earlier time, it remains only to speculate. So, Peter came to Rome, according to many researchers, in 67 and began to actively preach. Activation of Christians eventually led to the fact that they were attacked by imperial wrath. Nero ordered the execution of the apostle, which was committed on June 29 (July 12). What a holiday the governor arranged for future generations of Christians, he, most probably, did not guess. On the same day, the apostle Paul was executed. However, if the Galilean peasant Peter was crucified on an inverted cross (which he asked himself, considering himself unworthy to die like Jesus), then Paul could not do this with the status of a Roman citizen. Therefore, he was beheaded with a sword. About the same, when Paul was in Rome, nothing is for sure not known. But there is a legend pointing to the place where the apostles said goodbye to each other before the execution. It is on the Ostia road, today there stands a temple in memory of this event and in honor of the two apostles, celebrated by the church on June 29 (July 12). The Orthodox holiday in Russia is also associated with certain folk customs, about which we will talk in conclusion.

Signs on the day of the apostles Paul and Peter

Existing signs on the Petrov day (July 12) inRussia has to do with either the weather or the agricultural cycle. For example, if the cuckoo ceases to mow a week before this holiday, then winter will come early. If the puppetry lasts a long time after the holiday, then the onset of winter colds will be necessary at a later time. In case of rain on July 12, we have to wait for a big harvest, but hard hay.