The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of Mary the Mother of God in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) in the 10th century. On Sunday, October 1, while multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, St. Andrew (Andrew of Constantinople) and his disciple, St. Epiphanius, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. The Blachernae Palace Church was where several of the Virgin Mary’s relics were kept; the relics were her robe, veil and part of her belt that had been transferred from Palestine during the 5th century.

Surrounded by angels and saints, the Virgin Mary approached the center of the church, knelt down and remained in prayer for a long time. Her face was drowned in tears for all the faithful Christians in the world. She asked her Son, Jesus Christ, to accept the prayers of all the people entreating Him and seeking her protection. Once her prayer was completed, she walked to the altar and continued to pray. Afterwards, she spread her veil over all the people as a protection.

St. Andrew turned to his disciple, St. Epiphanius, who was standing near him and asked, “Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos praying for all the world?” Epiphanius answered, “Yes, I see and I am amazed!”

During that time, the people in the city were threatened by a foreign invasion but after the appearance of the Mother of God, the danger was averted and the city was spared from bloodshed and suffering.

Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us with her mighty prayers.