Patron Saints of Marriage
In Russia, parents make the sign of the Cross over the newlyweds with a pair of icons: Christ for the groom and the Kazan Mother of God for the bride. These become the couple’s first home icons. Sts Peter and Fevronia of Murom, who died on the same day and were buried in one tomb, are the patrons of married love. Their feast on 8 July is Russia’s Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. Sts Joachim and Anna, the grandparents of Christ, and the holy Royal Passion-Bearers are prayed to for faithful, fruitful homes. Russians also keep Sts Guria, Samon and Aviv as patrons of married couples.
The saints the Church turns to
Sts Peter and Fevronia of Murom
Asked for love and faithfulness in marriage and peace in the home.
25 June (8 July on the Old Calendar).
The Kazan Mother of God
Asked for a strong and faithful marriage and for a son or daughter on the eve of the wedding.
22 October (4 November on the Old Calendar); summer feast 8 July (21 July on the Old Calendar).
Sts Joachim and Anna
Asked for love and faithfulness in marriage and the gift of children.
9 September (22 September on the Old Calendar).
The Royal Passion-Bearers
Asked for love and unity in the family and a faithful marriage.
17 July.
Christ Pantocrator
The bridegroom’s wedding icon.
Nativity, 25 December (7 January on the Old Calendar).
St Xenia of Petersburg
Asked for a happy marriage and the return of love and peace between spouses.
24 January (6 February on the Old Calendar).
In our shop
Christ Pantocrator & Our Lady of Kazantravel diptych: the traditional wedding pair in one icon.$69
Christ (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God$69
Royal Passion-Bearers & Feodorovskaya Mother of God$69
Holy Passion-Bearers Nicholas and Alexandra$69
- Sts Peter and Fevronia icon (coming soon)
- Sts Joachim and Anna icon (coming soon)
- St Xenia icon (coming soon)
How Orthodox Christians pray for this
The wedding icons stand on the analogion during the crowning and go home with the couple to the icon corner, where the couple prays together morning and evening. Couples keep their wedding crowns’ day with a lamp before the icons, ask for a moleben to Sts Peter and Fevronia on their feast, and keep the icons for their own children’s weddings.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Questions
Who is the patron saint of marriage?
In the Orthodox Church, Sts Peter and Fevronia of Murom. Catholics usually name St Joseph or St Valentine.
What icons are given at an Orthodox wedding?
In Russian tradition, an icon of Christ for the groom and the Kazan Mother of God for the bride. Our Christ and Kazan diptych carries both.
What is the Orthodox Valentine’s Day?
In Russia, 8 July, the feast of Sts Peter and Fevronia, now the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.
