The Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar celebrate the Intercession of the Theotokos or the Protection of the Mother of God on October 14.
Priest Eugen Onicov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Pantelimon”, has told IPN that this is one of the four great Marian feasts. It entered the Church Synaxary more recently. “Tradition says that a deacon called Andrew saw Mary the Theotokos appear in the Church of Vlaherne in Constantinople. Virgin Mary entered and spread her veil over all the people in the church as a protection,” said the priest.
On this feast day, parishioners are expected to go to church to pray to the Virgin Mary and ask her for protection. Some of the villages and towns, including Chisinau city, celebrate the patron saint (hram) day on this day.
