During the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise (886-9І2), the Greeks waged war with the Saracens. Everyone earnestly prayed to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother for help. One Sunday day in Constantinople, in the Blachernae Church, during the all-night vigil, the holy saint of God Andrew the Fool, looking up, saw the Most Holy Mother of God, surrounded by Angels, prophets and Apostles, praying for Christian peace and overshadowing Christians with Her covering or omophorion. St. Andrew, in awe and surprise, asked his friend Epiphanius: “Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all, praying for peace?” “I see and am horrified,” answered Epiphanius. When those present in the church learned about this vision, everyone rejoiced and began to hope for the help of the Mother of God. Indeed, the Greeks soon defeated their enemies. In memory of this event, the Russian Orthodox Church established the Feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God on October 1st. Many of our churches are dedicated to the Intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Russia celebrates the feasts of the Mother of God so solemnly because the entire history of our fatherland represents a continuous series of stories about the mercies of the Mother of God to the Russian people.
Troparion.
Today, faithful people, we brightly celebrate, overshadowed by Your coming, O Mother of God, and looking to Your most pure image, we tenderly say: cover us with Your honorable cover and deliver us from all evil, begging Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Kontakion.
The Virgin stands today in the church and from the faces of the saints invisibly prays to God for us: Angels and bishops bow down, while the Apostles and prophets rejoice: for for our sake the Mother of God prays to the eternal God.
Greatness.
We magnify You, most holy Virgin, and honor Your honorable protection: For Saint Andrew saw You in the air, praying to Christ for peace.