Venerable Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos (X)

The Venerable Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos, lived in the ninth and tenth centuries. He came of a God-fearing family: first his parents, and then his brothers Paul, Dionysius and Plato, became monks. Saint Peter began a life of zealous ascetic labour. Word of his ministry reached Nicholas, a bishop from Italy (from 895 Patriarch of Constantinople), who wished to consecrate him bishop; but Saint Peter considered himself unworthy and declined the offer. Then Nicholas consecrated Peter’s brother Paul Bishop of Corinth, and the saint lived with him, devoted to the labour of silence. A year later people from Argos came to Bishop Paul and asked for Saint Peter to be made their bishop. Long and fervent entreaty prevailed: the saint consented. After his consecration as bishop Saint Peter laboured zealously for his flock. He protected all the needy, and cared above all for widows and orphans. Saint Peter foretold the day of his repose long beforehand and died at the age of seventy. His holy remains were translated from Argos to Nauplia in 1421. Miracles and healings took place at the hierarch’s myrrh-flowing relics.