Feast Day: June 12th
The Life of Saint Peter: The Most Holy Theotokos appeared in a dream to Saint Peter and indicated the place where he should live till the very end of his days: Mount Athos…
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Prayers
Apolytikion: In the flesh you lived the life of the Angels, you were citizens of the desert and treasuries of grace, O Onouphrios, adornment of Egypt, and Peter the light of Athos. Therefore we honour your struggles as we sing to you: Glory to Him who has strengthened you! Glory to Him who granted you a crown! Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!
Kontakion: Having received the noetic and Heavenly light in thy heart, O Peter, thou wast seen to be a most radiant vessel of the pure Trinity; and thou didst receive the Grace to work Miracles, and dost cry: Alleluia.
Saint Peter was taken captive during a war, and remained in prison for a long time. During this time he remembered he had once wanted to leave the world and live in a Monastery. So he began a strict fast in the prison, Praying fervently and asked Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker to Pray to God for him.
Saint Nicholas appeared in a dream to Saint Peter advising him to call upon Saint Symeon the God-Receiver for help. He then appeared again in a dream enouraging Saint Peter in patience and hope. Then Saint Nicholas appeared with Saint Symeon the God-Receiver, but this time not in a dream. Saint Symeon touched with his staff the chains binding Saint Peter, and they melted away like wax and the prison doors opened. Then Saint Nicholas remained with Saint Peter for some time, travelled with him and reminded him of his Monastic Vow. Saint Peter then travelled to Rome to receive Monastic Tonsure, and Saint Nicholas appeared in a dream to the Bishop telling him to Tonsure the former prisoner into Monastacism. The day after the dream, the Bishop proclaimed aloud: “Peter, you who are from the Greek lands, and whom Saint Nicholas has freed from prison in Samara, come here to me.” Saint Peter was then Tonsured at the Holy Tomb of the Apostle Saint Peter.
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The Most Holy Mother of God appeared in a dream to Saint Peter and told him that he should live on Mount Athos. Another time Saint Peter saw her in a vision and she spoke of her Earthly domain, Mount Athos:
“I have chosen this Mountain… and have received it from my Son and God as an inheritance, for those who wish to forsake worldly cares and strife…. Exceedingly do I love this place. I will aid those who come to dwell here and who labour for God… and keep His Commandments…. I will lighten their afflictions and labours, and shall be an invincible ally for the Monks, invisibly guiding and guarding them….”
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Saint Peter experienced many assaults from the demons to try to force his to abandon his cave. However, Saint Peter overcame these demonic attacks through Prayer to God and the Theotokos. One time a demon appeared in the form of a young man from Saint Peter’s homeland, begging him with tears to return. Saint Peter wept but without hesitation he answered:
“Here have the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos led me. I will not leave here without Her permission.”
When the demon heard the name of the Mother of God, he vanished.
Seven years later the devil came to Saint Peter in the appearance of a radiant Angel saying that God wanted him to go to the world for as a guide for the enlightenment and Salvation of the people. However, the experienced Ascetic Saint Peter again replied that without the permission of the Mother of God he would not forsake the wilderness. The devil then disappeared and did not bother to come near Saint Peter anymore.
The Most Holy Mother of God then appeared to Saint Peter in a dream, together with Saint Nicholas, and told the brave hermit that after he had fasted for forty days, an Angel of God would bring him Heavenly Manna. So Saint Peter fasted, and on the fortieth day he received the Heavenly Manna, and fortified himself with it, receiving the strength for another forty-day fast.
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Saint Peter and Saint Onuphrios
