Feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin (October 14). Traditions on the Pokrov

The intercessor power of the Mother of God is great for the whole human race before the Lord. By the prayers of the Blessed Virgin God helps all of us, saving us from sadness and disease. That is why the feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin is one of the most significant in the life of the Orthodox.

History

"Rejoice, our joy, covering us from every evil with Your Most Honorable Omofor," so the believers turn to the Blessed Virgin in the hope of Her intercession. Omofor is a cloak covering the head of the Mother of God, in another way it is called a cover. The history of this holiday allows you to interpret its name differently.

The great miracle that we still remember on October 14 (the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos) occurred in Constantinople in 910. Then the city was surrounded by enemies, and its inhabitants had no choice but to ask for intercession with the heavenly forces. Gathered in the main temple of the Greek capital, people zealously prayed. Among this crowd was also Blessed Andrew, who was considered to be distraught. The saint was constantly subjected to ridicule and mockery of others, but at the same time he humbly tolerated, walking along the streets barefoot and in one shirt.

All the money that passers-by gave him as alms, blessed Andrew gave to others in need. For the great feat of self-sacrifice, the Lord bestowed upon the holy fool the gift of foresight. Being together with other parishioners at the all-night vigil, Andrew saw under the arch of the temple the Queen of Heaven, marching along with John the Baptist and John the Theologian.

Approaching the altar, the Mother of God knelt down, began to pray long and hard for the Lord with other people, then she took off the omophora from her head and spread it over the parishioners of the temple. All this picture saw the blessed Andrew with his disciple the holy fool Epiphany. At the end of the service, the Most-Holy Mother of God took Her veil, leaving an unseen grace over the parishioners. After that, a miracle happened in the city - the enemy retreated from the walls of Constantinople. The great phenomenon of the Mother of God was imprinted in the history of October 14. The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary has since invisibly protected 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 their own. For the first time the holiday began to be celebrated at the behest of Prince Andrew Bogolyubsky, who built the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (the world-famous temple on the Nerli River).

Illuminated in honor of the Queen of Heavenly Mother of God, the temple of Basil the Blessed - the 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 holiday on October 14, is a unique example of architecture: the walls, which have a strict vertical, seem slightly inclined to 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 Virgin was built on a hill that was created by hand. This was necessary to ensure that the waters of the Nerl River, surrounding the church, did not flood the structure during the spring high water. The walls of the complex are decorated with drawings of lions and women's masks. The central figure of the temple is the image of King David sitting on the throne, of which the Messiah himself came out.

Pskov-Pokrovskaya icon of the Mother of God

Until now, it remains a mystery who is the author of this image of the Queen of Heaven. It is only known that the reason for writing the icon was the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God, the abbot of the Pskov-Pokrovsky 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 the mercy of fate.

The army of the city was no more than 6,500 thousand people. Residents risked to be in an unequal battle with Europeans, whose strengths totaled 100 thousand soldiers. But the Pskovians had no choice but to fight to victory or to death. The spiritual warriors of the city - the monks - prayed with the lord of the monastery and waited for the arrival of the Mother of God icons "Assumption" and "Tenderness".

Just before the storm, Starets Dorotheus, who was in labor, appeared to the Most Holy Theotokos. It was at that moment that he realized why the city was abandoned by the Higher Powers. The Mother of God spoke of the grave sins and filthy deeds committed by the inhabitants who insulted the Lord God, thereby allowing an unequal battle. But in addition to the Lady, the Elder was able to contemplate some of the saints who knelt before the Mother of God and wept tearfully for the salvation of Pskov. The all-merciful Tsarina promised to protect the city from enemies if its inhabitants constantly pray and mourn for their sins. She also ordered She hang the Pechersk icon and the banner on the city wall.

During the battle, the relics of the holy Gabriel were taken out, after which the Pskov troops were three long dead monks. The monks spoke of the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and of Her incessant appeals to the Lord. Thus, they persuaded the residents of a quick victory. All this happened, as the souls of the monks had predicted: Pskov repulsed the offensive of the enemies. Wishing to thank the Celestial Powers, the Pskovites created a church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the inhabitants won it on September 21, according to the Julian calendar. An image of the Mother of God was written, named the same as the newly-built Cathedral in Pskov.

Miracles of the Icon

The image of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pokrovskaya is truly multifaceted: it depicts the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the elder Dorothea. 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 he was in one of the museums. And only after a century the icon was found by the ROC and taken to the Pskov monastery. A few years later the image began to richly melt, which, according to the clergy, means its miraculous power.

Pokrovskaya icon

Those who are fortunate enough to see this image are told of his unprecedented attraction. The icon reflects the history of the past years, frozen in time and space. Truly Orthodox people believe that the holy image,
Like a book, you can read.

If you look closely at the plot of the icon, you can see the vault of the Vlaherna church, which has not survived to our days, but is forever sealed on the shrine. In the center on a small elevation under the name of the pulpit is Roman Sladkopevets, next to which is the emperor with his people. On this kind of human from above look saints with the Most Holy Theotokos, extending its saving omophorion over the entire Orthodox world. Above the people and saints is the Lord God, to whom in their prayers the earthly and heavenly inhabitants turn. The Holy Virgin's Protection is an icon that should be in every Orthodox family.

The healing power of the image

The Icon of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a truly healing power. Before the image you can ask for the bestowal of health, the cure of serious illnesses. Prayerfully address the Queen of Heaven through this image, and she will certainly protect your house and loved ones with her omophorion from all ills. You can read the akathist before the image of the Mother of God or turn to the Blessed Virgin in your own words, but sincerely and wholeheartedly, asking you to save your family from adversity and misfortunes by saving omophorion. Pray before the icon and on October 14 - the Virgin Mary's covering will always be invisibly above you.

Traditions of the Intercession

With the feast of the intercession of the Mother of God, many customs and customs are associated in Russia. So, it was customary for Pokrov to marry, because by that time the first snow, reminiscent of the white clothes of the bride, had already fallen out. It was believed that couples who were married on this day, will live happily ever after. If the girl did not have a bridegroom, she came to the church on the Feast of the Intercession and prayed fondly to the Mother of God about the gift of her husband. In general, the Russian people spent that day cheerfully and carefree.

Approximation of the holiday of the Intercession was a sign for the peasants: it is time to harvest the harvest, since it is near and freezing.

The 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. Mother of God, closing the Pskov city from the attack of enemies with its omophorion, helped the Russian people in the future. For example, Kazan was taken by Ivan the Terrible in the fight against the Turks just before the holiday. In honor of this significant day and built the temple of St. Basil the Blessed.

Holiday signs on the Pokrov

October 14, from the very beginning of the foundation of the holiday, the Russian people observe many signs, according to which it is possible to judge the weather and future events. For example, it was believed that from which side the wind would blow, from there and wait for the first strong frost. Winter will not be harsh if heat is on the Pokrov. The holiday on October 14 promised severe frosts if the east wind blew all day.

There are other signs on the Cover. October 14 (October 1 in the old style), young unmarried girls tried early to come to the temple and put a candle: it was believed that next year will find a couple that girl who will visit the church first. The rest also did not despair, they spent the Pokrov in gaiety and games, because the one that will be joyful and carefree, quickly find a good groom. A lot of snow on the holiday means a large number of weddings in the next year.

Married women tried to bake more pancakes on the Pokrov. A lot of baking in the house - in the home will be warm in winter. You will drown the stove with wood from the apple tree - the house will become cozy. And to repair the hut before the holiday was considered a must, since otherwise the family could spend the winter in the cold. That's what our ancestors celebrated on October 14. The Protection of the Virgin was for them a very significant Orthodox holiday.

How to celebrate

Orthodox people always try to hold a special holiday in a special way. The covering of the Holy Virgin is no exception. On that day, believers always attend the morning liturgy (and the all-night vigil on the eve), not forgetting to make a donation to the needy - orphans, poor and miserable, and also bake pancakes, inviting guests to a great celebration. If there is no way to organize such fun, take the time to visit the temple for the holiday. The protection of the Holy Virgin protects all who turn to it.

In memory of the Most Holy Theotokos

In addition to the Veil, believers celebrate other Russian Orthodox holidays dedicated to the Mother of God. These include:

• The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21);
• Introduction to the Temple of the Mother of God (December 4);
• The Annunciation (4 April);
• Assumption (August 28).

All these holidays are twelve-twelve major days, marked by the ROC, reflecting the earthly life of Christ and the Mother of God. They do not include the Pokrov. 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 of Yokima and Anna, who had no children before. For the righteous life, the Lord gave them a child at the very end of their existence. It was Mary, who became the Blessed Virgin. For such an invaluable gift, Joachim and Anna promised to send a child to serve the Lord.

The Nativity of the Mother of God is truly a great feast, as the Queen of Heaven, by her birth, opened a new page in spiritual history.

Introduction of the Blessed Virgin into the Temple

When the Virgin Mary was 3 years old, Joachim and Anna, dressing their only daughter in the best clothes, took her to the temple. This day was truly remarkable, for the righteous went to fulfill a vow given to God - to dedicate their child to the service of the Most High. Just before the temple was built a ladder with 15 high stairs, which Maria could hardly overcome. But what was the surprise of others 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, according to the suggestion of God, held the Mother of God in the altar, where, as is known, women are not allowed to enter. This event has shown the great role of the still small Mary in the life of all mankind. Since then, the girl lived at the church until her full age - until the age of 14.

"Devo, rejoice!"

The great anniversary of the Annunciation, which became a church holiday, was preceded by the wedding of Mary with Joseph, who took care 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 incessant prayer. When Mary turned 14 years old, the abbots of the temple were forced to marry her, because at that age all girls of those times became wives and mothers.

Joseph protected the Mother of God, who all her free time worked and prayed. And one day, reading the book of Isaiah about the great woman who will be honored to be the mother of the Lord, Mary wished with all her heart to see her and humbly serve her. At that moment the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Theotokos , exclaiming: "Rejoice, Devo, the Lord is with thee! Blessed are you in Wives and blessed is the Fruit of Your Mouth! ". Confused by these words, the Mother of God exclaimed: "How will it be when I do not know my husband?" The archangel answered that the Holy Spirit would visit Her, and therefore Her child would be the son of God. Humbly Mary took these words. Joseph at first wanted to let go of Virgo, having learned about the conception. But the Archangel came to him, bringing the good news and commanding to continue to protect the Mother of God. Joseph, resignedly 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 care for us in the future, closing Russia with a saving cover from all ills and misfortunes. Visit the temple and pray before the icon of the Mother of God on October 14. The cover, invisible to us, earthly, will surely protect you according to your prayers.