Peter the Wonderworker

1, Many saints are venerated as miracle-workers. Moreover, the performance of even a small number of miracles is considered a prerequisite for the future canonization of a righteous person, with the exception of martyrs, for whom the working of miracles is not required. But only a very few saints in history have received the title of “wonder-worker” as an addition to their name. One of them is Saint Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos in the Peloponnese. His feast day is celebrated on May 3, which is May 16 according to the Old Style, patristic calendar.

2, According to his hagiography, Saint Peter lived exactly 70 years, from 852 to 922. Among his miracles were the multiplication of loaves during a famine, prophecies of coming misfortunes, and—like another, much earlier miracle-worker, Saint Nicholas—a concern for the welfare of defenseless women and young girls. This concern was evident on at least three occasions during his life.

3. According to a custom he established in his diocese, a ransom was organized annually to free captive compatriots. Once, Cretan pirates set their sights on a captive girl and refused to exchange her. They even took some of their own countrymen—who had acted as mediators—hostage. But through the saint’s prayers, the sea prevented their ship from sailing; it was intercepted, and the captives were freed. On another occasion, a certain military officer began to harass a young woman. Saint Peter gave her refuge in the church. Through the power of prayer, he brought a fever upon the official, which did not leave him until he renounced his plan in repentance. Finally, on one occasion—a rather rare occurrence, and a unique one even in hagiographic accounts—a young woman who harbored ill will toward her future fiancé turned to the saint for help.

4, For seven days, the saint anointed her with consecrated oil while praying—a clear indication of the significance of the sevenfold anointing with oil in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick in the Orthodox Church —until hatred gave way to love. How can we fail to recall the great Father of the Church, Saint Augustine, who taught in his theology that grace is freedom and the ability to love, given to man as a gift from above. Saint Peter the Wonderworker, patron of the oppressed, pray to God for us!