Saint Peter of Argos
Commemorated May 3rd

St. Peter, Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos, was born in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, about 855 A.D. He was the third of five children - four sons and one daughter - of a well-to-do, well-educated, pious, Christian family. Blessed as they were with material wealth, they shared as stewards of the Lord, their worldly goods unselfishly with the needy. In time they gave away their property and goods and all gradually, one after another, entered the monastic life and intense service to the Lord.

Peter, noted for his great devotion and dedication to the Lord, was requested by the then Patriarch of Constantinople to be consecrated Bishop of the Greek city of Corinth. Peter, respectfully but firmly, refused in spite of the pressures; he was reluctant to leave the quiet, inconspicuous life of a monk and return to the world. The Patriarch assigned Peter's older brother Paul in his stead.

The Patriarch, however, was determined to make Peter a Bishop - but Peter leaving Constantinople fled to Corinth (where his brother was Bishop) in order to avoid the Patriarch's persistent requests.

While in Corinth, his presence and reputation as a Man of God, became known, and in time of spiritual crisis in Argos he was sought by the Argites to be their Bishop. Peter, finally realizing that this was the will of God, relented and consented to be consecrated.

Peter was a scholar, and an eloquent speaker. Above all, however, he was a great humanitarian and a true spiritual father. He would give everything away to the needy, including his own bed and blankets and would sleep on the floor, to the consternation of his assistants and co-workers and keepers of his dicese house. He would turn no one away who sought his help, friend or foe.

Saint Peter of Argos was profoundly admired, loved and respected not only by his own people but even by the enemies of his people. Miracles were attributed to his prayers both while he lived and after he slept in the Lord.

Saint Peter died at the age of 70 and was buried in Argos. Five hundred years later the Venetians and the Franks raided Argos and Greece and took away the Saint's relics. To this day, no one knows where they have been taken. Only a few of his sermons have been discovered but enough to reveal to us the spiritual greatness of the man. Facts of his life come down to us through his pupils, who were the recipients of his love, wisdom, guidance and example. Efforts have been going on for years to recover more of his works and additional facts of his life including the location of his relics. A beautiful church dedicated to Saint Peter today dominates a central square in the historic city of Argos.

The Danaos Society of Atlanta is truly blessed having Saint Peter as its protective Patron Saint.

Another Account of St. Peter, Wonderworker, Bishop of Argolis:

The Monk Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos, lived during the IX and early X Centuries, and was raised by pious parents. The parents of Saint Peter, and later on his brothers Paul, Dionysios, Platon and Saint Peter himself all became monastics. Saint Peter zealously devoted himself to monastic deeds, such that he excelled beyond all his fellows. This came to the attention of the Italian bishop Nicholas (who from 895 was Patriarch of Constantinople), who wanted to elevate him to the dignity of bishop, but Saint Peter declined, accounting himself unworthy of such honor. Bishop Nicholas ordained Paul, Saint Peter's brother, as bishop of Corinth, and Saint Peter went to his bishop-brother and lived with him, having taken upon himself the deed of silence. After a year emissaries came to Bishop Paul from the city of Argos, where the bishop had died, and they petitioned to make Saint Peter their bishop. After long and intense entreaties, Saint Peter finally gave his consent. Having become bishop, Saint Peter toiled zealously in guiding his flock, he was extraordinarily compassionate, he concerned himself about those in need, especially orphans and widows; in years of crop-failure the saint fed the hungry. Through the prayers of the saint the food, set aside for the hungry, never ran out. The saint likewise ransomed captives, healed the sick and the afflicted, and possessed the gift of insight. The saint long before predicted the day of his death and expired in peace to the Lord at age 70. His relics were transferred in 1421 from Argos to Nauplia, exuding myrh, and working miracles and healings.