This is one of the most important holidays in Orthodoxy. During it, the miracle manifested by the Mother of God is remembered.
It occurred in Constantinople at the Church of Blachernae in the year 900. At that time, there was a war between the Byzantine Empire and the Saracens. The barbarians were approaching Constantinople and could invade the city at any moment.
Frightened citizens gathered in the church and began to fervently pray to the Mother of God for help. They fell to the ground in prayer, but one of those present — a fool for Christ named Andrew — raised his head upwards. And there he saw a miracle — the Most Holy Theotokos descending to the praying people.
Surrounded by angels and saints, she slowly approached them through the air. When she reached the crowd, she began to pray with them, and then removed her glowing omorphion (veil) from her head and spread it over the people. Thus, she took the protection of the city upon herself. Indeed, at that very moment, a terrible storm broke out, which forced the attackers to retreat, and the city was saved.
By the way, this holiday has a fixed date and does not change from year to year. The celebration began in the early 11th century. It was established at the initiative of Prince Andrew Bogolyubsky. Upon learning of the events that occurred in 900 in Constantinople, he was shocked and wanted to commemorate this miracle regularly. The Protection is not celebrated anywhere except in countries that adhere to Russian Orthodoxy.
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