Great is the intercessory power of the Mother of God for the entire human race before the Lord. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, God helps us all, delivering us from sorrow and illness. That is why the feast of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God is one of the most significant in the life of the Orthodox.
History
"Rejoice, our Joy, having covered us from all evil with Your Most Honorable Omophorion," - this is how believers turn to the Blessed Virgin in the hope of Her intercession. The omophorion is a cape covering the head of the Mother of God, otherwise it is called a cover. The history of this holiday allows different interpretations of its name.
The great miracle that we still remember on October 14 (Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos) happened 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 powers. Gathered in the main temple of the Greek capital, people prayed fervently. Among this crowd was Blessed Andrew, who was considered distraught. The saint was constantly subjected to ridicule and mockery of those around him, but at the same time he humbly endured everything, walking the streets barefoot and inone shirt.
All the money that passers-by gave him as alms, blessed Andrei distributed to other needy. For the great feat of self-sacrifice, the Lord endowed the holy fool with the gift of clairvoyance. Being together with other parishioners at the 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.
Going up to the altar, the Mother of God knelt down, began to pray long and hard to the Lord with other people, after which she took off the omophorion from her head and spread it over the parishioners of the temple. Blessed Andrew saw the whole picture 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 that, a miracle happened in the city - the enemy retreated from the walls of Constantinople. The great appearance of the Mother of God was imprinted in history on October 14th. Since then, the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos has been invisibly protecting 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 theirs. For the first time, the holiday began to be celebrated at the behest of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who built the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (the world-famous temple on the Nerl River).
Illuminated in honor of the Queen of Heavenly Mother of God, the temple of St. Basil the Blessed, a 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 October 14th holiday, is a unique example of architecture: the walls, which have a strict vertical, seem to be slightly inclined towards the center. Due to this, the illusion of the majesty of the complex is achieved. It is also interesting that the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God was erected on a hill that was created by hand. This was necessary so that the waters of the Nerl River surrounding the church would not flood the building during the spring flood. The walls of the complex are decorated with drawings of lions and female masks. The central figure of the temple is the image of King David sitting on the throne, from whose family the Messiah himself came.
Pskov-Pokrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God
It still remains a mystery who is the author of this image of the Queen of Heaven. It is only known that the reason for painting the icon was the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God to the rector of the Pskov-Intercession Monastery. This happened before the Polish troops rushed to attack the city. Tsar Ivan the Terrible, having concentrated military forces near the Novgorod lands, left the Pskovites to their fate.
The army of the city was no more than 6, 500 thousand people. Residents risked being in an unequal battle with the Europeans, whose forces numbered 100,000 soldiers. But the Pskovites had no choice but to fight to victory or to death. Spiritual warriors of the city - monks - together with the lord of the monastery prayed earnestly and waited for the arrival of the Mother of God icons "Assumption" and "Tenderness".
Before the assault, Elder Dorotheus, who was in labor, appeared to the Most HolyMother of God. It was at that moment that he understood why the city was abandoned by the Higher Powers. The Mother of God spoke about the grave sins and filthy deeds committed by the inhabitants, who offended the Lord God, who thereby allowed an unequal battle. But besides the Lady, the elder was able to see some of the saints, kneeling before the Mother of God and tearfully praying for the salvation of Pskov. The all-merciful Queen promised to protect the city from enemies if its inhabitants would ceaselessly pray and mourn for their sins. She also commanded to hang the Pechersk icon and the banner near the city wall.
During the battle, the relics of St. Blessed Gabriel were carried out, after which three long-dead monks appeared to the Pskov troops. The monks spoke about the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and about Her incessant appeals to the Lord. Thus, they convinced the inhabitants of an imminent victory. Everything happened just as the souls of the monks predicted: Pskov repulsed the advance of the enemies. Wanting to thank the Heavenly Forces, the people of Pskov created a temple in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, since the inhabitants won exactly on September 21 according to the Julian calendar. An image of the Mother of God was painted, named the same as the newly erected cathedral in Pskov.
Miracles of the icon
The image of the Pskov-Pokrovskaya Mother of God is truly multifaceted: it depicts the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Elder Dorotheus. This icon was kept in the temple until the beginning of the 1917 revolution. During the Great Patriotic War, the image was taken from Russia to Germany, where it ended up in one of the museums. And only after a wholecentury, the icon was acquired by the Russian Orthodox Church and taken to the Pskov monastery. A few years later, the image began to stream myrrh abundantly, which, according to the clergy, means its miraculous power.
Intercession 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, can be read.
If you look closely at the plot of the icon, you can see the arch of the Blachernae Church, which has not survived to this day, but is forever imprinted on the shrine. In the very center, on a small hill called the pulpit, stands Roman the Melodist, next to which is the emperor with his people. The saints look down on this human race with the Most Holy Theotokos, stretching her saving omophorion over the entire Orthodox world. Above people and saints is the Lord God, to whom earthly and heavenly inhabitants turn in their prayers. The Intercession of the Holy Mother of God is an icon that should be in every Orthodox family.
The healing power of the image
The Icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos has a truly healing power. Before the image, you can ask for the bestowal of he alth, the cure of serious illnesses. Prayerfully address the Queen of Heaven through this image, and she will surely protect your home and loved ones from all sorts of troubles with her omophorion. You can read an akathist before the image of the Mother of God or turn to the Most Holy Theotokos in your own words, but sincerely and fromwith all my heart, asking you to save your family from adversity and misfortune with a saving omophorion. Pray before the icon and on October 14 - the cover of the Virgin Mary will always be invisible above you.
Traditions of the Veil
Many customs and signs are associated with the feast of the intercession of the Mother of God in Russia. So, it was customary to marry Pokrov, because by that time the first snow had already fallen, reminiscent of the white clothes of the bride. It was believed that couples who got married on this day would live happily ever after. If the girl did not have a groom, she came to the temple on the feast of the Intercession and earnestly prayed to the Mother of God for the gift of a husband to her. In general, the Russian people spent this day cheerfully and carefree.
The coming of the Feast of the Intercession was a sign for the peasants: it was time to harvest, as frosts were not far away.
Protection of the Virgin 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. The 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, St. Basil's Cathedral was built.
Holiday omens on the Veil
October 14, from the very beginning of the founding of the holiday, the Russian people observe many signs by which one can judge the weather and future events. So, for example, it was believed that from which side the wind would blow, the first strong frosts would come from there. Winter will not be severe if it is warm on Pokrov. Holiday 14October promised severe frosts if the east wind blew all day.
There are other signs on the Pokrov. On October 14 (October 1, according to the old style), young unmarried girls tried to come to the temple early and light a candle: it was believed that the girl who visited the church first would find a couple next year. The rest did not despair either, they spent the Veil in fun and games, because the one who will be joyful and carefree will quickly find a good groom for herself. Lots of snow for the holiday means lots of weddings next year.
Married women tried to bake more pancakes for Pokrov. A lot of baking in the house - it will be warm in the house in winter. You will heat the stove with firewood from an apple tree - the house will become cozy. And it was considered a must to repair the hut before the holiday, because otherwise the family could spend the winter in the cold. This is how our ancestors celebrated on October 14th. The Intercession of the Mother of God was a very significant Orthodox holiday for them.
How to spend a holiday
Orthodox people always try to spend a church holiday in a special way. The Protection of the Holy Mother of God is no exception. On this day, believers must attend the morning liturgy (and the all-night vigil the day before), not forgetting to make a donation to the needy - orphans, the poor and the needy, and also bake pancakes, calling guests to a great feast. If it is not possible to organize such fun, find time to visit the temple for the holiday. The cover of the Holy Mother of God protects everyone who addresses her.
In memory ofHoly Mother of God
Besides the Intercession, believers also celebrate other church holidays in Russia dedicated to the Mother of God. These include:
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (September 21);
- Entrance into the Temple of the Mother of God (December 4);
- Annunciation (April 4);
- Assumption (August 28).
All these holidays are twelfth - 12 main days celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church, reflecting the earthly life of Christ and the Mother of God. They do not include the Cover. The holiday of October 14 is a kind of spiritual mansion, which is revered by every true Orthodox.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Mother of God was born to the elders Jokim and Anna, who had no children before. For a righteous life, the Lord gave them a child at the very sunset of their existence. It was Mary, whom she became the Most Holy Theotokos. For such a priceless gift, Joachim and Anna promised to send the child to serve the Lord.
The Nativity of the Mother of God is truly a great holiday, as the Queen of Heaven opened a new page in spiritual history with her birth.
The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple
When the Virgin Mary was 3 years old, Joachim and Anna, having dressed up their only daughter in the best clothes, took her to the temple. This day was truly significant, because the righteous went to fulfill the vow given to God - to dedicate their child to the service of the Almighty. In front of the temple, a staircase with 15 high steps was built, which Mary would hardly have been able to overcome. But what wasthe 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 inspiration of God, led the Mother of God 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 she came of age - until the age of 14.
Virgin, rejoice
The Great Day of the Annunciation, which became a church holiday, was preceded by the wedding of Mary with Joseph, who took charge 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 abbots of the temple were forced to marry her, since at that age all the girls of those times became wives and mothers.
Joseph protected the Mother of God, who worked and prayed all her free time. And one day, while reading the book of Isaiah about a great woman who would be worthy to be the mother of the Lord, Mary longed with all her heart to see her and humbly serve her. At that moment, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Mother of God, exclaiming: “Rejoice, Virgin, the Lord is with you! Blessed are You in Women and blessed is the Fruit of Your Womb! Embarrassed 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 at first wanted to let the Virgin go,learning about conception. But the Archangel came to him, bringing the good news and commanding him to continue to protect the Mother of God. Joseph, meekly accepting the covenant of the Lord, remained with Mary.
The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday that is dear to every Orthodox Christian. After all, the Mother of God continues to take care of us in the future, closing Russia with a saving cover from all troubles and misfortunes. Visit the temple and pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God on October 14th. The cover, invisible to us earthly ones, will surely protect you through your own prayers.
