Saint · 927
Peter
Blessed Peter, King of Bulgaria
New Calendar January 30 Old Calendar February 12
Why they are a saint
Saint Peter was a humble, devout and peace-loving man, unlike his father, Tsar Symeon the Warrior (d. 927), during whose reign there had been perpetual warfare. By contrast, Peter’s long reign was peaceful, and notable for the restoration of good relations with Byzantium and with the West. Peter married Maria, the grand-daughter of the Emperor Romanus Lecapenus, who recognized him as basileus (tsar or king), and he obtained independence from Constantinople for the Bulgarian Church with its own Patriarch.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Peter as a patron when they bear the name Peter at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on January 30. As a ruler, he is also remembered by those who bear responsibility for others.
Prayer
O holy Peter, 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.