The Orthodox Christians following the old church calendar observe the Protection of the Mother of God, also known as the feast of the Virgin Mary's Cerementon, on October 14. The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae (Vlaherna) in the tenth century.
The Theotokos approached the center of the church, knelt down and remained in prayer for a long time. Her face was drowned in tears. Then she took her veil (cerement) off and spread it over the people as a sign of protection. During the time, the people in the city were threatened by a barbarian invasion. After the appearance of the Mother of God, the danger was averted and the city was spared from bloodshed and suffering.
Contacted by IPN, Viorel Luchin, bishop of the “Protection of the Mother of God” Church situated in Buiucani district of Chisinau, said this feast day does not form part of the 12 Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, but has a special importance because the Mother of God’s veil protects the Orthodox Christians from enemies and because the feats represents the beginning of Christianity, given that Virgin Mary gave birth to the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
On this day, they also celebrate the day of the church in some settlements. After the Divine Liturgy, the faithful go around the church with icons and crosses, as on Easter.
