Great is the intercessive power of the Mother of God for the whole human race before the Lord. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, God helps us all, delivering us from sorrow and disease. That is why the Feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin is one of the most significant in the life of the Orthodox.
Story
“Rejoice, our Joy, having covered us from all evil with Your Most Honorable Omophor,” - this is how believers turn to the Blessed Virgin in the hope of Her intercession. An omophorion is a cloak covering the head of the Mother of God; in other words, it is called a veil. The history of this holiday allows to interpret its name in different ways.
The great miracle that we still recall on October 14 (Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos) occurred in Constantinople in 910. Then the city was surrounded by enemies, and its inhabitants had no choice but to ask for intercession from the heavenly forces. Gathered in the main temple of the Greek capital, people prayed earnestly. Among this crowd was blessed Andrei, who was considered distraught. The saint was constantly subjected to ridicule and bullying of others, but at the same time he humbly endured everything, walking the streets barefoot and in one shirt.
All the money that passers-by gave him as alms, blessed Andrei distributed to other needy. For the great feat of selflessness, the Lord gave the holy fool the gift of insight. Being together with other parishioners on an all-night vigil, Andrei saw the Queen of Heaven under the vault of the temple, walking along with John the Baptist and John the Theologian.
Having approached the altar, the Mother of God knelt down, began to pray for a long time and earnestly to the Lord with other people, after which she removed the omophorion from its head and spread it over the parishioners of the church. All this picture was seen by blessed Andrei, together with his disciple, the holy fool Epiphanius. At the end of the service, the Most Holy Theotokos took Her cover, leaving invisible grace over the parishioners. After this, a miracle happened in the city - the enemy retreated from the walls of Constantinople. The great appearance of the Mother of God was embodied in the history of October 14th. Since then, the cover of the Blessed Virgin Mary has invisibly guarded the inhabitants of the Greek capital.
Temples in honor of the Virgin
Despite the fact that the great event of the Descent of the Mother of God took place in the Greek capital, Russian Orthodox people consider it their own. For the first time, the holiday began to be celebrated at the behest of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who built the Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin (the world-famous temple on the Nerl River).
Illuminated in honor of the Queen of Heavenly Virgin, the Church of St. Basil the Blessed - the famous holy fool who lived in Russia during the time of Ivan the Terrible - was erected after the capture of Kazan in 1552.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl
This temple, consecrated in honor of the holiday of October 14, is a unique example of architecture: the walls, which have a strict vertical, seem to be slightly inclined to the center. Due to this, an illusion of the majesty of the complex is achieved. It is also interesting that the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin was erected on a hill that was created manually. This was necessary so that the waters of the Nerl River surrounding the church did not flood the building during the spring flood. The walls of the complex are decorated with drawings of lions and women's masks. The central figure of the temple is the image of King David, sitting on the throne, from whose kind the Messiah himself came out.
Pskov-Pokrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God
It remains a mystery who is the author of this image of the Queen of Heaven. It is only known that the reason for writing the icon was the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God to the rector of the Pskov-Pokrovsky monastery. This happened before the Polish troops rushed to attack the city. Tsar Ivan the Terrible, concentrating military forces near the Novgorod lands, left the Pskov to their fate.
The army of the city amounted to no more than 6,500 thousand people. Residents risked to be in an unequal battle with the Europeans, whose forces totaled 100 thousand soldiers. But the Pskovites had no choice but to fight until victory or to death. The spiritual warriors of the city — the monks — together with the lord of the monastery prayed earnestly and waited for the arrival of the Theotokos icons “Assumption” and “Tenderness”.
Before the assault, the elder Dorotheus, who was in the labors, appeared the Most Holy Theotokos. It was at that moment that he understood why the city was abandoned by the Higher Forces. The Mother of God spoke of grave sins and filthy deeds committed by the inhabitants, who insulted the Lord God, who thereby allowed an unequal battle. But in addition to the Lady, the elder was able to contemplate some saints, kneeling before the Virgin and praying tearfully for the salvation of Pskov. The all-merciful Queen promised to protect the city from enemies, if its inhabitants would constantly pray and grieve for their sins. She also commanded to hang an icon and a banner near the city wall.
During the battle, the relics of the holy Blessed Gabriel were taken out, after which the Pskov troops appeared three monks who had long since died. The monks spoke of the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Her unceasing appeal to the Lord. Thus, they convinced the residents of an early victory. This all happened, as predicted by the souls of the monks: Pskov repulsed the advance of the enemies. Wishing to thank the Heavenly Forces, the Pskovs created a church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the residents won on September 21 according to the Julian calendar. An image of the Mother of God was written, named in the same way as the newly erected cathedral in Pskov.
Miracles Icons
The image of the Pskov-Pokrovskaya Mother of God is truly multifaceted: it depicts the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the old man Dorotheus. This icon was kept in the temple until the start of the 1917 revolution. During the Great Patriotic War, the image was exported from Russia to Germany, where he ended up in one of the museums. And only after a century, the icon was acquired by the Russian Orthodox Church and taken to the Pskov monastery. A few years later, the image began to abundantly myrrh, which, according to the clergy, means its miraculous power.
Pokrovskaya icon
Those who are lucky enough to see this image are told about its unprecedented attractive power. The icon reflects the history of bygone years, frozen in time and space. True Orthodox people believe that the holy image,
like a book, you can read.
If you look closely at the plot of the icon, you can see the arch of the Blachernae church, which has not been preserved to this day, but is forever imprinted on the shrine. In the very center, on a small hill called pulpit, stands Roman Sladkopevets, next to whom is the emperor with his people. Saints with the Blessed Virgin Mary, stretching their saving omophorion over the entire Orthodox world, are looking at this human race from above. Above the people and saints is the Lord God, to whom the earthly and heavenly inhabitants appeal in their prayers. The Intercession of the Holy Virgin is an icon that should be in every Orthodox family.
The healing power of the image
The Icon of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary has truly healing power. Before the image, you can ask for the gift of health, the cure of serious illnesses. Prayerfully address the Queen of Heaven through this image, and she will surely protect your house and loved ones from all troubles with her omophorion. You can read the akathist in front of the image of the Mother of God or you can turn to the Most Holy Theotokos in your own words, but sincerely and with all your heart, asking you to protect your family from adversity and misfortune with a saving omophorion. Pray in front of the icon on October 14 - the cover of the Virgin Mary will always be invisible over you.
Traditions of the Intercession
With the feast of the intercession of the Mother of God, many customs are associated and will be accepted in Russia. So, it was customary to marry Pokrov, since by this time the first snow had already fallen, resembling the white clothes of the bride. It was believed that couples who were married that day would live happily ever after. If the girl did not have a bridegroom, she came to the church on the Feast of the Intercession and earnestly prayed to the Virgin for the gift of her husband. In general, the Russian people spent this day cheerfully and carefree.
The approaching Feast of the Intercession was familiar to the peasants: it was time to harvest, as there were frosts nearby.
Virgin Protection and Cossacks
It is believed that the Feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin is to some extent professional for the military, especially for the Cossacks. Mother of God, having closed the Pskov city from the attack of enemies with her omophorion, helped the Russian people in the future. So, for example, Kazan was taken by Ivan the Terrible in the fight against the Turks on the eve of the holiday. In honor of this significant day, the St. Basil's Cathedral was built.
Holiday signs on Pokrov
On October 14, from the very beginning of the foundation of the holiday, the Russian people have been observing many signs that can be used to judge the weather and upcoming events. So, for example, it was believed that on which side the wind would blow, from there and wait for the first strong frosts. Winter will not be harsh if it is warm on Pokrov. The holiday of October 14 promised severe frosts if the east wind blew all day.
There are other signs of the Intercession. On October 14 (October 1, according to the old style), young unmarried girls tried to come to the church early and light a candle: it was believed that next year the girl who would visit the church would find a couple. The others, too, did not despair, they spent the Veil in fun and games, because the one who would be joyful and carefree would quickly find a good groom. A lot of snow for the holiday means a large number of weddings next year.
Married women tried to bake more pancakes on Pokrov. A lot of baking in the house - it will be warm in the house in winter. If you use wood from the apple tree to heat the stove, the house will become cozy. And it was considered obligatory to repair the hut before the holiday, as otherwise the family could spend the winter in the cold. This is how our ancestors celebrated on October 14th. The Intercession of the Virgin was a very significant Orthodox holiday for them.
How to spend a holiday
Orthodox people always try to hold a church holiday in a special way. The Intercession of the Holy Virgin is no exception. On this day, believers must attend the morning liturgy (and the all-night vigil on the eve), not forgetting to make a donation to the needy - orphans, the poor and the poor, and also bake pancakes, convening guests for a great celebration. If it’s not possible to organize such fun, take time to visit the temple for a holiday. The Intercession of the Holy Virgin protects everyone who addresses her.
In memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In addition to the Intercession, believers also celebrate other church holidays in Russia dedicated to the Mother of God. These include:
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21);
- Introduction to the temple of the Mother of God (December 4);
- The Annunciation (April 4);
- The Assumption (August 28).
All these holidays are twofold - the 12 main days celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church, reflecting the earthly life of Christ and the Mother of God. They do not include Veil. The holiday of October 14 is a kind of spiritual mansion, which is revered by every true Orthodox.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
The Mother of God was born to the elders Yokim and Anna, who had no children before. For a righteous life, the Lord gave them a child at the very sunset of their being. It was Mary, whom she became the Blessed Virgin Mary. For such a priceless gift, Joachim and Anna promised to send the child to the service of the Lord.
The Nativity of the Mother of God is truly a great holiday, since the Queen of Heaven, with her birth, opened a new page in spiritual history.
Introduction of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the temple
When the virgin Mary was 3 years old, Joachim and Anna, dressing their only daughter in the best clothes, led her to the temple. This day was truly significant, because the righteous went to fulfill the vow given to God - to devote their child to the service of the Most High. A staircase was built in front of the temple with 15 high steps, which Maria could hardly have overcome. But what was the surprise of those around her when She went all the way to the temple without the help of others and her parents. And only the hand of the Lord invisibly led the girl to the very entrance. In the temple, the high priest, by the suggestion of God, led the Virgin to the altar, where, as you know, women are not allowed to enter. This event showed the great role of the still little Mary in the life of all mankind. Since then, the girl lived at the temple until adulthood - up to 14 years.
"Virgo, rejoice!"
The great Annunciation Day, which became a church holiday, was preceded by the wedding of Mary and Joseph, who took care of the virginity of the Queen of Heaven. The Most Holy Theotokos wished to keep the vow given to the Lord - to live in integrity and in unceasing prayer. When Mary was 14 years old, the rectors of the temple were forced to marry her, since at that age all the girls of those times became wives and mothers.
Joseph guarded the Virgin, who worked and prayed all her free time. And once, while reading the book of Isaiah about a great woman who would be honored to be the mother of the Lord, Mary with all her heart longed to see her and to serve her humbly. At that moment the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin , exclaiming: “Rejoice, Virgo, the Lord be with you! Blessed are you in Women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb! ” Confused by these words, the Mother of God exclaimed: “How will it be when I don’t know my husband?” The archangel replied that the Holy Spirit would visit Her, and therefore Her child would be the son of God. Mary humbly accepted these words. Joseph initially wanted to let the Virgin go, having learned of conception. But the Archangel came to him, bringing the good news and commanding to continue to protect the Mother of God. Joseph, meekly accepting the covenant of the Lord, remained with Mary.
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday that is dear to every Orthodox Christian. After all, the Mother of God continues to take care of us from now on, covering Russia with a saving cover from all troubles and misfortunes. Visit the temple and pray before the icon of the Mother of God on October 14th. The cover, invisible to us, earthly, will certainly protect you through your prayers.