The Protection of our Most Holy Theotokos
(Commemorated on October 28 in the Greek tradition.)
Mother of God “Quick to Hear”
Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia (Светицховели- სვეტიცხოველი )
St Sidonia of Georgia(1th century)
St Sidonia,disciple of St. Nina and Abiatar of Georgia (4th century)
Holy Emperor Mirian III of Iberia and Empress Nana of Mtskheta, Georgia, Equals-to-the-Apostles (4th century
Commemorated on October 1
My icon shall be called “She who is Quick to Hear, for I shall speedily fulfill the petitions of those who hasten to it.”
by Saint Nikolai Velimirovič
From time immemorial, the Church has celebrated the Most-holy Theotokos as the patroness and protectress of the Christian people, who, by her intercessory prayers, implores God’s mercy for us sinners. The help of the Most-holy Mother of God has been clearly shown numerous times, to individuals and to nations, in peace and in war, in monastic deserts and in densely populated cities. The event that the Church commemorates and celebrates today confirms the Theotokos’ consistent protection of Christian people. On October 1, 911, during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise, there was an All-night Vigil in the Blachernae Church of the Mother of God in Constantinople. The church was full of people. St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ was standing in the rear of the church with his disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, the Most-holy Theotokos appeared above the people, holding her omophorion outstretched as a protective covering for the faithful. She was clothed in gold-encrusted purple, and shone with an ineffable radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins. St. Andrew said to Blessed Epiphanius: “Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all praying for the whole world?” Epiphanius replied: “I see, Father, and am struck with amazement!” The Feast of the Protection was instituted to commemorate this event, and to remind us that we can prayerfully receive the unceasing protection of the Most-holy Theotokos in any time of difficulty.
The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by Saint Nikolai Velimirovič for Old Calendar date October 1, and New Calendar date October 14.
Troparion The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God (Tone 4)
Today the faithful celebrate the feast with joy
illumined by your coming, O Mother of God.
Beholding your pure image we fervently cry to you:
“Encompass us beneath the precious veil of your protection;
deliver us from every form of evil by entreating Christ,
your Son and our God that He may save our souls.”
Troparion Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, in Tone IV:
Let us make haste to the Theotokos amid our misfortunes,
and fall down now before her holy icon,
crying out with faith from the depths of our soul:
Hearken quickly to our entreaty, O Virgin,
in that thou art called ‘she who is quick to hear’
For thee do we, thy servants,
have as a ready helper in our needs.
Direct the desiring power of our soul to divine zeal, that it may thereby love God wholly and ever strive towards Him as the all-blessed End of desire.
Through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!