During her earthly life, the Mother of God suffered a lot. The most difficult test was the execution of Jesus Christ. After death, all her sufferings were compensated by glory and heavenly joy. As a mother, she understands all human suffering and helps everyone who turns to her. She does not condemn the human race, but pities it and asks God for forgiveness for each person. All this is displayed by the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos". In honor of this there is one of the great holidays of the same name. It is celebrated on 1 (14 old style) October.
A wonderful event leading up to the holiday
In the 10th century in Constantinople, the capital of the Greek Empire, during the attack of a large army of Saracens, the inhabitants of the city gathered in the Blachernae Church. At that time, the riza and the headdress of the Mother of God were kept here. All together they prayed to God, asking him for help and salvation from enemies. During the prayer, Saint Andrew looked up and saw the Mother of God walking through the air above the vaults.temple surrounded by angels and saints. Together with the inhabitants, She prayed for a long time with tears in her eyes, crying out for the salvation of the city. Then She went to the throne, removed the veil from her head and covered with it all those who at that moment were praying, protecting them from enemies. It is this event that reflects the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos". At dawn, the enemy army was defeated, and the city was saved.
What helps the icon
The icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" protects from troubles and troubles. Before her, they ask that all bad things pass the house. The Mother of God is asked for protection from all kinds of diseases, as well as for their cure, if they are already present. In addition, before this image, they ask for protection from enemies visible and invisible.
It is recommended that every home have an icon of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. Prayer in front of her image will protect not only your home, but also all those close to you from evil and trouble. In its first lines there is a praise of the Mother of God and Her Son, then a confirmation that you believe in her power and worship the miraculous image. And only then are requests made, after which again comes praise.
Icon description
The icon of the "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" (photo below) united two worlds - heavenly and earthly. On it you can see the altar and the naves of the Blachernae Church. Here you can also see the veil covering the image of the Mother of God. It is written in most cases in dark red colors. Roman the Melodist is depicted on the pulpit in the very center. In his hands isscroll. Andrey is standing in a dilapidated rags, showing a marvelous phenomenon to his disciple Epiphanius. Near Roman stands the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Byzantine emperor, the monks and the people. Above all, the Heavenly Church is depicted with prophets, saints, martyrs, among them John the Baptist, John the Theologian. In the very center of the icon is the Most Holy Theotokos. She holds in her hands a blessed cover that can cover the entire Orthodox world.
Honored lists icons
The icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" has a sufficient number of revered lists, many of which can be seen in Russian churches. So, lists from this icon are in Moscow in the Church of the Resurrection. In the capital, the revered list is in the Intercession Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, and there is also a list in Krasnoye Selo in the Church of the Intercession. A revered copy of the icon is kept in the Church of the Nativity in Kharkov. There are similar revered copies in the city of Novgorod, where the Nicholas Cathedral rises.
