Oct. 1 - The Protection of the Mother of God

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Margaret_Ann

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The Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God was instituted in the 10th century in thanksgiving for Her protection of Constantinople against being invaded by the Saracens. St. Andrew the Fool and his disciple St. Epiphanius saw the Mother of God extend Her Holy Veil over the people praying in the church, told the people and this feast was soon established.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh both have pilgrimages on the first Sunday in October. (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Thank you what a beautiful feast day and the icon is beautiful too. I like to ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to cover me and those I pray for with her mantle…now I have a new way to ask our lady.
 
Margaret_Ann said:
The Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God was instituted in the 10th century in thanksgiving for Her protection of Constantinople against being invaded by the Saracens. St. Andrew the Fool and his disciple St. Epiphanius saw the Mother of God extend Her Holy Veil over the people praying in the church, told the people and this feast was soon established.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh both have pilgrimages on the first Sunday in October. ! …
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On October 1, 911, during the reign of emperor Leo the Wise, there was an all-night vigil in the Blachernae church of the Theotokos in Constantinople. Standing near the rear of the church was St. Andrew the Fool for Christ, and his disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, the Theotokos appeared above the people with a veil spread over her outstretched hands, as if to protect them. She was surrounded by angels and saints. Seeing this, Andrew asked his disicple, “Do you see the Queen and Lady of all is praying for the whole world?”
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(From Metropolitan Cantor Institute of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh)
 
I love the icon. It’s a very beautiful piece of art indeed! 🤩🤩🤩
 
Excerpt from Byzantine Book of Prayer:

"The icon is not a picture. The icon is not a painted representation meant to teach. The icon is a grace and a life. It is a life that penetrates and purifies and elevates. From the icon emanates a virtue that inspires the faithful with hope and gives him consolation…

The icon, then, is not only an aesthetical entity. It is the result of the faith and of the prayer of the church. It is the life of the Church lived in Christ.

Source: Raya, Abp. Joseph & de Vinck, J. Byzantine Book of Prayer. Byzantine Seminary Press, Alleluia Press, 1976, pp. 645-646, 647.
 
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Thank you for posting. One thing that sticks out to me from the Byzantine liturgy is when we say “through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us”. Our lady is such a powerful intercessor, and what good Son would refuse his mother?
 
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