- Статьи
- Local news
- The greatest church holiday of autumn is approaching: the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos
The greatest church holiday of autumn is approaching: the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos
Orthodox Christians annually celebrate the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on October 14. Although it is not one of the twelve, the significance of this celebration in the church tradition is enormous. Its roots go back to the tenth century: according to legend, it was then that the Mother of God spread her omophorion over the inhabitants of Constantinople, protecting them from the invasion of enemies. For more information about the history and customs of the holiday, see the Izvestia article.
Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos: the history of the Church holiday on October 14th
The Day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos reminds the Orthodox of the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God, which occurred around the year 910. The formation of the holiday is closely related to the events that took place in Constantinople. According to legend, the city was under siege by enemies.
Residents gathered in the Blachernae Church, where the holy relics — the Cross of the Lord and the garments of the Virgin - were kept, to offer a joint prayer. Among the believers were the holy fool Andrei of Tsaregradsky and his disciple Epiphanius.
According to legend, closer to dawn, Andrew saw the Most Holy Theotokos in the heavenly radiance, surrounded by angels and saints, accompanied by John the Baptist and the Apostle John the Theologian. The Mother of God prayed with the crowd, and then took off the omophorion from her shoulders and spread it over the faithful in the temple, as if covering them with heavenly protection. It is believed that her intercession averted the disaster: the enemies left the city without shedding blood.
It is not fully known exactly how the holiday was established in the church tradition. Some sources claim that he originated in Byzantium and later moved to Russia, while others associate his birth with ancient Russian culture.
The building of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl
The official celebration of the Intercession was established by Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky in 1164. He especially revered the holy fool Andrew and considered him his heavenly patron. Under his rule, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl was erected near the princely residence, which became the prototype of many other temples in honor of the Virgin Mary, which spread throughout Russia. So the omophorion of the Mother of God seemed to spread symbolically over the entire Russian land.
The omophorion became a sign of her love and protection, which she extends over people. For Orthodox Christians, the Virgin Mary is the main intercessor before God. There is also an opinion that in Novgorod the Intercession was celebrated even before the official approval of the holiday.
According to other legends, the fool Andrew himself was from there.
Historians still disagree on the views against whose invasion the Virgin Mary showed Her intercession. Some believe that we are talking about an attack by Muslims, while others associate the legend with the Vikings led by Askold and Dir, who besieged Kiev.
The Iveron icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Danilovsky Monastery
The Church sees the main meaning of the holiday in the fact that the Most Holy Theotokos is always ready to intercede for believers and provide help in the most difficult circumstances. The Feast of the Intercession is celebrated annually on October 14th.
To whom and what to pray for the Protection of the Virgin
There are many icons dedicated to the Intercession, but they are all united by a single image — the Mother of God, spreading an omophorion in her hands. Sometimes she is depicted surrounded by angels, and on some icons there is Christ, to Whom she turns a prayer.
On this day, Orthodox Christians attend the Divine Liturgy, confess and pray. The kontakion, troparion and prayer of the Mother of God are heard in the church. Those who do not have the opportunity to come to church offer prayers at home. After the service, believers usually gather with their loved ones at the table.
On this holiday, they pray for health, protection from enemies, both visible and spiritual, and ask for help in times of war, intercession for soldiers and the Fatherland. Prayer for travelers, protection of children, and healing of physical and mental ailments occupies a special place.
Prayer to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos:
"To my Most gracious Queen, my Most Holy Hope, my friend and strange Intercessor, help the needy and protect the embittered, see my misfortune, see my sorrow: I am tempted everywhere, but there is no intercessor. For you yourself help me because I am weak, feed me because I am strange, guide me because I am mistaken, heal me and save me because I am hopeless. The Imam has no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, for You, O Mother of all the sorrowful and burdened! Therefore look upon me, a sinner and in my bitterness, and cover me with Your most holy omophorion, so that I may be delivered from the evils that have afflicted me, and I will praise Your sung name. Amen to that."
What can and should be done on Pokrov: traditions and superstitions
In Russia, the Veil symbolized the completion of agricultural work. At this time, fairs and wedding celebrations began. People rested after their summer labors, and the holiday itself became a kind of boundary between autumn and the coming winter.
According to folk custom, after harvesting, a few fruits were left on the apple trees, which dried up. These dried apples and branches were burned to cover the day — it was believed that this would bring warmth to the house for the whole winter. The children were doused with cold water through a sieve to protect them from diseases.
The housewives baked pancakes for the brownie, believing that the well-fed spirit of the house would calmly hibernate and provide the family with prosperity. Weddings played on Pokrov promised a strong union and numerous offspring. The newlyweds were placed on sheaves of rye — their number had to be odd.
The girls went to the temple early in the morning on this day: there was a belief that the one who would put a candle first would get married before the others. In the evening, gatherings were held, where guys also came to choose a bride. It was believed that the courtship that began on Pokrov would quickly lead to a wedding.
There is no fasting on this holiday, so believers set the table with any dishes. But it is customary to maintain moderation and not overuse food and drink. The Protection is also associated with the customs of treating pancakes and pies, showing hospitality and generosity: the warmer the guests are received, the more well-being there will be in the house.
What not to do on the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in 2025
The main thing to do on this day is to devote time to prayer and visiting the temple. If it is not possible to come to church, believers are advised to strengthen the prayer rule at home and do good deeds. The holiday requires avoiding conflicts, quarrels and rudeness in words.
It is not recommended to borrow money, as this is considered a bad omen and may lead to financial difficulties in the coming year. There is also a belief that if a girl refuses a marriage proposal specifically for Pokrov, she may remain unmarried.
Folk signs about the weather on Pokrov
There are many folk signs associated with the Cover, mainly about the weather. It was believed that it was on this day that the winter would be determined.
The snow on the Cover foreshadowed a white and joyful Christmas, a clear and warm day promised a continuation of autumn without snow, and rain indicated inclement weather and dampness.
Special importance was attached to the winds: the south — for a mild winter, the north — for a cold and long one. If the leaves had already fallen from the trees by this time, the year promised to be easy, and the abundance of yellow leaves promised a rich harvest of bread. A rainbow on Pokrov Day was considered a heavenly blessing and a harbinger of fertility. The coincidence of the holiday with the full moon was associated with a dry summer.
Other signs also related to nature.:
— the early departure of the cranes promised a cold winter;
— the squirrel, which had managed to fade to the Cover, foreshadowed a good winter;
— cranes in flight on this day meant frost, and if they are not visible, winter will be delayed.
The snow on the Cover was also associated with marriage matters: the more snow falls, the more weddings there will be next year. In Russia, girls pronounced: "A white snowball covers the fields, dresses me up, a girl, for marriage." That is why the holiday was considered a time of matchmaking and weddings, because the omophorion of the Virgin resembled a wedding veil.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
