THE PROTECTING VEIL

 

Today,  October 14, Ukrainians celebrate the Feast of the Protection (Ukrainian “Pokrova”) of OUR MOST HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS . Of the feasts dedicated to the Mother of God, this one deserves a special attention.

 According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, the apparition of Mary the Theotokos occurred during one of the sieges of Constantinople at the Blachernae church, where she spread her veil over all the people in the church as a protection. As the result the enemies withdrew and the city was rescued.

The "Slavic and East European Journal" explains that the word Pokrova means “‘Holy Protection of the Mother of God,’ ‘the Protectress,’ ‘Festival of the Veil,’ ‘Protecting Veil.'”

Ukrainians in particular have kept this devotion to Our Lady  alive over the years, frequently turning to it during times of war and political upheaval.

They continue to venerate Mary in this way, depicting her in icons with a veil that she offers to cover those with her protection.

 Often there is an inscription on the devotional images that says, ““I will cover my people” or “We pray: cover us with Your Holy Veil and deliver us from evil.”

In 1912, St. Pope Pius X remarked to r Bishop Mykyta Budka: "Your nation cannot perish, for it has two guarantees: your nation loves the Eucharistic Christ and the Most Pure Virgin Mary. With these guarantees the nation cannot perish."

We pray with the Ukrainian people today, that Our Lady  intercede for them for an end to violence and a lasting peace.