Orthodox believers today celebrate the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos as a commemoration of the church event when the Mother of God appeared to the people gathered in prayer during the divine service.
The Church has always celebrated the Most Holy Theotokos as the patron and protectress of Christians, who through her prayers shows God’s mercy to sinners. She has helped individuals and nations countless times in war and peace, and everywhere in trouble. The event celebrated by the church took place on October 14, 911, during the time of Emperor Leo the Wise (Philosopher).
There was an all-night vigil in the Church of the Theotokos in Blachernae in Constantinople. The church was full of people, and somewhere in the background stood Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ with his student Epiphanius. At four o’clock after midnight, Saint Andrew saw the Most Holy Theotokos with her omophorion (cover) spread over the people, as if covering the people with that garment. She was dressed in a golden-woven mantle and shone, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs, and virgins.
Saint Andrew pointed with his hand to Epiphanius and asked him if he also saw “the Queen and Lady, praying for the whole world,” which Epiphanius, astonished, confirmed. The Cover of the Most Holy Theotokos is her omophorion (veil) which she spread over Christians. Because of this event, the celebration was introduced, to remind of that moment and the constant patronage of the Most Holy Theotokos whenever the faithful prayerfully seek it from her.
This holiday is often called Pokrovice and is considered a women’s holiday, especially dedicated to mothers and women in childbirth. Therefore, all members of the fairer sex should be especially careful and not do any heavy physical work. In Serbia, it is customary for women to dedicate this day to honoring the Mother of God, and every girl should pray to this saint so that one day she may conceive and raise children in health and happiness.
In Popovo Polje, many women fast before Pokrovice to receive Holy Communion on the day of the holiday itself. Women celebrate it to give birth and raise children more easily. Married women buy chrysanthemums on this day and place them in front of the door to attract luck, love, and family well-being.
Many women who do not have children fast before Pokrovice to receive Holy Communion on the day of the holiday itself and pray that she grants them a child, and those who have children pray to the Mother of God for their health. Women celebrate the holiday to give birth and raise children more easily.
Everyone who believes in the Mother of God and celebrates the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos must utter the words on this day: „Rejoice, our Joy, and cover us from every evil with your honorable omophorion“. The one whom the Mother of God covers with her veil becomes invisible to evil spirits and unholy forces.
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Source: Kurir; Photo: Printscreen Youtube/ Wikipedia