Hierarch10th century

Saint Peter the Wonderworker Bishop of Argos

9th–10th century

Also known as Peter of Argos

A monk who became bishop of Argos in the Peloponnese, beloved for his mercy to the poor and for feeding his people in time of famine; many miracles were worked through him.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos

Life

Peter, called the Wonderworker, was a bishop of Argos in the Peloponnese who lived during the ninth and early tenth centuries. Born in Constantinople to a pious family, he was one of several brothers who, together with their parents, embraced the monastic life. He is remembered above all for his charity: organizing famine relief, ransoming captives, and caring for orphans and widows, works through which a reputation for miracles grew.

Reluctant to accept ecclesiastical office, he declined elevation to the see of Corinth in order to remain a monk, but eventually consented to become bishop of Argos and Nauplion after long entreaties from its people. He died at the age of seventy and is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on May 3.

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TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Peter,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline5 momentsReadHide

9th centuryBirth in ConstantinoplePeter was born in Constantinople into a wealthy and devout family. According to one tradition his birth is placed around 855. He and his brothers, among them Paul, Dionysius, and Platon, all entered the monastic life alongside their parents.
Late 9th centuryDeclines the see of CorinthThe bishop Nicholas, who became Patriarch of Constantinople from 895 (Nicholas Mystikos), wished to elevate Peter to the episcopate. Peter declined, accounting himself unworthy and wishing to remain a monk; his brother Paul was consecrated Bishop of Corinth in his stead.
Late 9th–early 10th centuryBecomes Bishop of ArgosAfter the death of the bishop of Argos, emissaries from the city sought Peter as their bishop. Following long and intense entreaties he accepted, taking charge of the see of Argos and Nauplion in the Peloponnese.
c. 920Synod in ConstantinopleBy one account Peter took part in a synod held in Constantinople in 920 concerning the affairs of the Emperor Constantine VII.
10th centuryRepose at the age of seventyBy tradition Peter foretold the day of his death and reposed at the age of seventy. He was buried at Argos, in the Church of the Dormition.

Contributions & Legacy

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Episcopal Ministry and Charity

As bishop, Peter became known for extraordinary compassion toward those in need, especially orphans and widows. In years of crop failure he fed the hungry, and by tradition the food he set aside for famine relief never ran out. He also ransomed captives from bondage and tended to the sick and afflicted.

The synaxarion further credits him with the gift of insight. These works of mercy, rather than any single dramatic event, are the basis of his epithet "the Wonderworker."

Scholarship

Peter is remembered as a learned figure; surviving writings attributed to him are preserved in the Patrologia Graeca, the printed corpus of Greek patristic and Byzantine texts.

Relics & Shrines

Peter was first buried at Argos in the Church of the Dormition. By tradition his body exuded a fragrant oil or myrrh and worked healings. Accounts of the relics' later history differ: the Orthodox synaxarion records a translation from Argos to Nauplion in 1421, while other accounts relate that during the period of Latin (Venetian and Frankish) rule in Greece the relics were carried off and eventually came to rest near Rome.

The relics were rediscovered in a monastery chapel near Rome and ceremonially returned to the Cathedral of Argos on 19 January 2008, where they are now venerated. The cathedral of Argos itself was founded in 1859 by Bishop Gerasimos Pagonis and inaugurated on 18 April 1865.

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A Family of Monastics

According to the synaxarion, Peter embraced the monastic life together with his parents and brothers. When Peter declined the see of Corinth to remain a monk, his brother Paul was consecrated bishop there in his stead; his brothers Dionysius and Platon likewise entered monasticism.

His brother, consecrated Bishop of Corinth after Peter declined that see.

Saint PaulBishop of Corinth

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The wonderworker of the Peloponnese whom, by one account, he ordained after the sign of the burning coals.

Saint Theodosius the NewHealer of Peloponnese

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints