Out of His divine mercy, the Lord gives the saints visions to confirm our Orthodox faith.  Our faith does not rest on these visions.  It is grounded in the firm foundation of Holy Tradition going directly back to the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Nevertheless, the visions of the saints are meant to strengthen and inspire us as we strive to follow after the Lord in the steps of the apostles. 

            The Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God is celebrated on October 1.  It recalls one of these inspiring visions.  In the Tenth Century in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople, the pious Saint Andrew, Fool-for-Christ, and his companion saw an appearance of the Holy Mother of God.  It was during a time of mortal danger. A fleet of barbarian ships had arrived and were threatening to destroy the city.  The people gathered together in the church for a vigil to pray the God would save the city.  As the people prayed, the Mother of God appeared and knelt in prayer in the center of the church.  Tears flowed from her face as she lifted up her intercessions to God.  Then she took off her veil and spread it over the congregation.  This was sign of the protection of her prayers.  Miraculously soon after that appearance, the invaders were defeated and the city was spared.

            This event touched the hearts of the Slavic peoples.  As early as the Twelfth Century, they held feasts in honor of the Holy Virgin and the protection of her prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many churches also took the name, “Protection of the Mother of God.”  On the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God we join all who have been inspired by this event to offer our prayers that the Mother of God would bring our prayers for peace, security, and well-being to the Throne of Grace.