Divine service on Intercession: a detailed analysistranslated

October 14 is the annual feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God. It is one of the great - the most important holidays of the church calendar. On this day we remember how in 910 the Mother of God saved Constantinople from destruction. The city was besieged by enemies; residents, led by Emperor Leo VI the Wise and Patriarch Eusebius, prayed in the Blachernae Church. And suddenly the holy fool Andrew and the young man Epiphanius saw the Most Holy Lady enter the church with a retinue of saints, pray for a long time for the city, on her knees, and finally spread her veil (omophorion) over the worshipers - her protection. All holiday chants today are dedicated to the intercession of the Mother of God.

Service text

Scheme of services for the Feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God

On the evening of October 13, 2026

All-night vigil (2 – 2.5 hours). It consists of the following services:

Great Vespers with stichera, paremias and troparion of the Intercession. About 40 minutes.

Matins with troparion and other hymns and the canon of the Intercession. About an hour.

First hour with troparion and kontakion of the Intercession About 5–7 minutes.

On the morning of October 14, 2026

The total duration of morning services is about 2–2.5 hours. These include:

Third hour with troparion and kontakion of the Intercession.…