The Protection of the Theotokos

Every October 1st the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Protection of the Theotokos. It is a day commemorating the appearance of the Theotokos in the 10th Century. She appeared in Church above the faithful ‘spreading out her veil’ to remind everyone of her devotion, love, protection and constant intercession to her Son, our God. Since that time we have commemorated the event (among other appearances) to celebrate her love as our mother. 

In the centuries since her appearance, the faithful of God have lived among neighbors and political leaders who have not always honored God. In recent years, our nation has again felt the burden of sin and temptation. In this way we are no different from the generations before. The Church’s annual commemoration of her protection reminds us to never lose faith. Her protection is as real as the loving embrace of a loving mother. 

The Sacred Traditions of the Church always have a purpose. Commemorations of miracles and history are never just dates on a calendar. Each Tradition and each commemoration reminds us of God’s love and, in the example of October 1st, His Mother’s endless devotion. There is nothing in life that can separate us from God’s love. This is why we celebrate. This is why we sing praises to the Theotokos each day as Orthodox Christians. 

As a testimony of faith, faithful Greeks in the 1950’s, after the war, transferred the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos to coincide with OXI Day, October 28th. This was not accidental, nor by coincidence. The honoring of the Theotokos on October 28th, for Greeks, reminds us directly of Her Protection during the war. We believe firmly that her protection and constant prayers to God were integral to God’s intervention. We know from history that evil has never prevailed and it never will. 

As faithful Greek Orthodox Christians, I invite you to honor the feast by standing up to evil, sin and temptation, trusting that our Mother, the Holy Theotokos, is watching over us. She is protecting us. As she revealed so many centuries ago, she covers us with her love and devotion. We don’t have to turn to our neighbors or political leaders to see sin and temptation. We just need to look in the mirror.

Our own hearts struggle to honor God with as much pain as our ancestors experienced through centuries of persecution. Evil continues to fight against us, but Christ is on our team. He is standing with us. His Holy Mother is holding our hands and embracing us. As our ancestors stood up to pagan and atheist leaders, we must stand up to sin and temptation with equal fervor.