The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God; Holy Apostle Ananias, One of the Seventy Disciples; Our Venerable Father Roman Who Sang Sweetly (560)
A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy
Read
Hebrew 9:1-7; Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Three years ago, at the consecration of St. Elias Church in Brampton, Ontario, His Beatitude, Patriarch Sviatoslav, in his homily, emphasized how today’s Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God continues to occur in the present time.
The Feast of the Protection has its roots in 10th century Constantinople, but the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God continues to shield and protect all of us who call upon her protection and intercession. When we find ourselves in situations that are challenging or feel hopeless, we can always call upon her intercession to help us overcome our struggles. Consider this sticheron from Vespers:
The people desire to sing to you, most pure Lady, * but they cannot sing praises worthy of your Son.* For you always intercede for all the faithful* and embrace them with your holy protection.* You pray that all will be saved,* all who honour you with faith,* O most pure Mother of God.
As we celebrate the Protection of the Mother of God, may we never hesitate to ask for the Mother of God to intercede on our behalf. Most Holy Theotokos, save us!