The Placing of the Precious Robe of Our Most Holy Lady and the Mother of God in the Church at Blachernae in Constantinople
July 2nd is the feast of the Placing of the Precious Robe of Our Most Holy Lady and the Mother of God in the Church at Blachernae in Constantinople.
Isn’t that a mouthful! Let’s look into the history and prayers for this Byzantine feast day.
Precious Robe of Our Lady
In Tradition, our Lady gave one of her own garments to a pious Jewish woman. When bequeathing it, she said to pass the garment down to another virgin at her death. And so Our Lady’s robe was passed down to whomever remained a virgin in the family for generations. People who were sick came to visit the robe when they were ill, and so there were many miraculous healings. Galbius and Candidus, officials under the Byzantine Emperor Leo, discovered the home the robe was kept in in the 5th Century.
The Robe of Our Lady was then transferred to Constantinople. With all solemnity, it was installed in the Church at Blachernae on June 2, 458.
Prayers and Tropars for the Robe of Our Lady
Troparion: (tone 8)
O protection of mankind, ever-Virgin Mother of God. As a bulwark for your city, you gave your pure body’s robe and sash, which remained incorrupt through your giving birth without seed. For in you, nature and time are made new. Therefore, we pray to you: give peace to your city, and to our souls great mercy.
Kontakion: (tone 8)
O Pure one, full of God’s grace! You have given your sacred robe as a garb of incorruption to all who believe. It covered your sacred body, O protection of all mankind. Therefore, we feast its deposition with love, and in awe we cry: Rejoice O Virgin, boast of Christians.
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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