The Veil of the Most Holy Theotokos
We celebrate the protection (or veil) of the Most Holy Mother of God on October 1st. This feast commemorates an apparition of Our Lady to the church wherein the robes of Our Lady are kept.
So what happened? Well, the faithful were gathered in the Church at Blachernae, celebrating a vigil liturgy. While the faithful were praying, the Theotokos appeared. Gloriously robed, and covered in a veil, she approached the alter and knelt. There she prayed for the people, with innumerable saints surrounding her (including John the Theologian). Although she prayed for a long time, all we now remember is that she prayed for the whole world, and exclaimed: “O Heavenly King, accept all those who pray to You, and those who call on my name for help. Do not let them leave from my icon unheard.” Upon the completion of her prayer, she took off her veil and used it to cover the people there present.
It is from this event that we have the icon and feast of the protection of the Mother of God!
Ways to Celebrate
- Say prayers as a family, asking for the protection of the Mother of God over your homes, lives, and souls.
- If you can, go to church. Otherwise, pray with the prayers and tropars listed below in your icon corner.
- In the East, we remember the three glorious roles of the Theotokos, her divine motherhood, her perpetual virginity, and her role as intercessor for us, such as she did at the wedding feast of Cana, and in the Church at Blachernae when she prayed for the whole world. Remember these three privileges of the Theotokos as you pray for her intercession this day.
Prayers and Tropars for the Protection of the Theotokos
Troparion: (tone 4)
Today, the faithful celebrate radiantly, flooded in light by your coming to us O Mother of God. We behold your pure image, contrite, we say: shelter us with your precious protection and deliver us from every evil, entreating Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Kontakion: (tone 3)
Today, the Virgin stands before us in the Church, and together with the choirs of saints, prays invisibly to God for us. Angels are worhiping with hierarchs, Apostles exalt with prophets, for the Mother of God prays on our behalf to the eternal God.
Prokeimenon: (tone 3)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Verse: Because He has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for, behold from henceforth all generations shall call be blessed
Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7, Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Check out this link to Great Vespers Text here.
The Byzantine Life
Thank you for checking out this week’s article. You may also be interested in our article on the Fatima and the Rosary.
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