The Primary Chronicle of Saint Nestor reflects that a large pagan Russian fleet menaced the city of Constantinople; this is dated circa 860–867. In the church at Blachernae, the robe, veil, and part of the belt of the Theotokos were preserved after being transferred from Palestine in the fifth century. From this church the approach of the fleet could be seen, and multitudes gathered to pray. The fleet drew near the city, bent on destruction and plunder, but as the people prayed for deliverance a storm arose and smashed the fleet on the rocks. The Primary Chronicle recounts that this miraculous deliverance followed an all-night vigil and the dipping of the garment of the Mother of God into the waters of the sea at the Blachernae church.
On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, when the church was overflowing with those at prayer, Saint Andrew, known as the Fool for Christ, lifted up his eyes and beheld the Theotokos coming in the air, bright with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of saints including John the Baptist and the apostle John the Theologian. On bended knees the Most Holy Virgin tearfully prayed for Christians for a long time. Then, approaching the bishop’s throne, she continued her prayer.
After completing her prayer she took her veil and spread it over the people praying in church as a protection from enemies both visible and invisible. Saint Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision and he asked his disciple Epiphanius, standing beside him, “Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, praying for all the world?” Epiphanius answered, “I see, holy father, and I am in awe.”
The Mother of God entreated her Son and Lord Jesus Christ to accept the prayers of all the people calling on his most holy name, and to respond speedily to her prayer, “O heavenly King, accept all those who pray to you and who call on my name for help. Do not let them go away from my icon unheard.”
Saints Andrew and Epiphanius “for a long time observed the protecting veil spread over the people and shining with flashes of glory.”
In the twelfth-century Russian book called the Prologue, a, a description of the establishment of a Feast marking this event states, “For when we heard, we realized how wondrous and merciful was the vision… and it transpired that your holy protection should not remain without festal celebration, O ever-blessed one!”
This feast is named for the veil which the Theotokos spread over the Lord’s people for their protection – The word in Greek (skepē) and Slavonic (pokrov) means both “veil” and “protection.”
The feast is especially beloved among the Slavic peoples. In the festal celebration of the Protection of the Mother of God, the Church sings, “With the choirs of the angels, O sovereign lady, with the venerable and glorious prophets, together with the first-ranked apostles and with the hieromartyrs and hierarchs, pray for us sinners, who glorify the feast of your protection in the Russian Land.”
Churches in honor of the Protection of the Mother of God began to appear in Russia in the twelfth century. On the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos we entreat the defense and assistance of the Queen of Heaven, “Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we may not perish because of the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you we hope, and venerating the feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”
