The Intercession of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Russian Pokrov, Покров) is one of the most important Russian Orthodoxy feasts (maybe the most important after the Twelve Great Feasts). It is also commemorated in Eastern Orthodoxy as a whole, but by no means as fervently as it is in Russia.

History of the feast

The first churches for the feast of Pokrov ("protection") appeared in Russia in the 12th century. Two of these churches are known all around the world: the Moscow Cathedral of Intercession upon a Moat (Russian: Храм Покрова "на рву," Cathedral of Pokrov upon a moat), popularly known as the Saint Basil's Cathedral, and the Church of Intercession upon Nerl River (Russian: Церковь Покрова на Нерли, Tserkov Pokrova na Nerli) in Bogolyubovo near Vladimir.

An icon of the Holy Lady, praying with people, is said to be kept in the Blachernae church. It is said to reproduce the picture as St Andrew saw

Tradition

According to Eastern Orthodoxy canon law, the apparition of Mary Theotokos occurred during the 10th century at the Blachernae Palace church where several of her relics (her head plate and part of her belt) were kept. On Sunday, October 1 at four in the morning, St Andrew Fool of Christ saw the virgin Mary walking in the air above him, glowing and surrounded by angels and saints. She knelt and prayed for all the Christians in the world, crying. Once her prayer was completed, she walked to the altar and continued to pray. Afterwards, she spread her veil over all the people in the church as a protection.

St Andrew asked his pupil Epiphanius, who was standing near him, whether he also saw the Holy Lady praying for all the world. "Yes, saint father, I see it and I'm amazed!", answered Epiphanius. The Virgin Mary asked Jesus Christ to accept the prayers of all the people asking for him and looking for her protection.

See also

• Intercession of saints

References

• (Russian) The article was used for iconography description.