Virgin of Protection
Istanbul, Turkey (911)
Begun in 450 by Empress Aelia Pulcheria, the church complex of St. Mary in the Blachernae district of Constantinople was one of the most sacred sites in Byzantium, housing a fountain of holy water, a miraculous icon of the Virgin, and her robe, sash, and veil. The feast of Our Lady of Protection (Russian Pokrov) is celebrated on October 1 (old style) or 14 (modern calendar).
An apparition was witnessed by St. Andrew the Fool (d. 936), his disciple Epiphanius, and other people who were praying in the church during an all-night vigil. They saw the Virgin enter the church, kneel in tearful prayer, then ascend, holding her veil over the congregation, and took it as a sign of her care for them.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
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