Hierarch
Peter of Moscow
Repose of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia († 1326)
New Calendar December 21 Old Calendar January 3
Why they are a saint
He was born in Volhynia and since childhood was nurtured by his parents in the awe of God. Peter, moved with love for asceticism, accepted monasticism and soon showed himself a paradigm of high virtue and piety, for which at a mature age was ordained a presbyter. He loved to read the Holy Bible and write icons.
Life
Saint Peter was born in Volhynia to pious parents, Theodore and Eupraxia. At twelve he entered a monastery, where he also learned iconography. Later he lived as a hermit on the Rata River, where a monastery grew up around him; he once gave Metropolitan Maximus an icon of the Dormition he had painted.
As Metropolitan he taught piety and brought quarrelling princes to peace. In 1312 he went to the Horde and obtained a decree from Khan Uzbek protecting the rights of the Russian clergy. In 1325, at the request of Prince John Kalita, he moved the metropolitan see from Vladimir to Moscow, and he foretold that Moscow would be delivered from the Tatar yoke. His grave became a place where later hierarchs of Russia were chosen.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Peter of Moscow as a patron when they bear the name Peter at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 21. As a bishop, he is also remembered by clergy and those who serve the Church.
Prayer
O holy Peter of Moscow, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.