Pokrov (Protection) of the Most Holy Theotokos — what women traditionally do on October 14

Orthodox Christians mark October 14 as the Feast of the Protection (Pokrov) of the Most Holy Theotokos, a day traditionally dedicated to the Mother of God as protector of homes, mothers and children.

Origins and the vision at Blachernae

Church tradition traces the event to October 1, 911 (old style), during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Wise, when the faithful gathered in the church of Blachernae in Constantinople for a night vigil while the city was besieged. According to the account, Saint Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple Epiphanius saw the Theotokos appear in radiant glory, surrounded by apostles, saints and angels.

The Virgin knelt and prayed with tears, then removed her omophorion (her veil) and spread it over the people assembled in the church as a sign that she would cover and protect all who believe in her and in her Son.

In popular practice across Orthodox communities, Pokrov is considered a particularly important women’s day. Women are encouraged to spend the day in prayer and with family rather than performing heavy physical or domestic work such as laundry, digging or strenuous cleaning.

Many young women who pray for marriage, childbirth or health go to church to light candles before an icon of the Theotokos. There is also a custom to wash the face in holy or spring water on the morning of the feast, believed to bring health, beauty and wellbeing to the home for the year.

The Orthodox calendar also commemorates on this day Apostle Ananias, Venerable Roman Slatkopisets and Venerable John Kukuzel. Hymns dedicated to the feast and to the saints are still chanted in services:

Tropar (feast): "Today, O Lady Theotokos, we who believe celebrate brightly, sheltered by Your coming and, gazing upon Your most pure face, we humbly say: With Your venerable omophorion cover us, and deliver us from every evil, beseeching Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls."

Kondak (feast): "The Maiden stands in the Church this day, and invisibly to us prays to God with the saints: the angels worship with the bishops, and the apostles rejoice with the prophets, for the Theotokos intercedes before God for us."

Tropar (St. John Kukuzel): "O John, God's beloved, a word sounding on strings flowed forth from your heart prepared for the Lord; the angels accepted the sweetness of your melody, the Mother of God lovingly embraced your soul, and the Eternal One, by your prayers, shows mercy to those who honor your holy image, and offers the string of your sweet singing to the Most Holy Trinity."

Photo: press material from the event