From the Prologue from Ochrid:
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.
Stichera on Lord I Call in Tone 4 for the Feast:
You are like a divinely planted Paradise, O Theotokos,
The place where the Tree of Life was watered by the Holy Spirit!
We acknowledge that you gave birth to the Creator of all
Who feeds the faithful with the Bread of Life.
Together with the Forerunner, entreat Him on our behalf,//
And by your precious veil, protect your people form all attacks!
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