When we celebrate the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in 2023 and what not to do on this day

The Holy Intercession of the Blessed Lady of our Mother of God and the Virgin Mary is a great Christian celebration, which began to be celebrated around the year 911. About this church holiday in Kievan Rus first heard in the X century. He became very popular among the believers. Now parishioners every autumn remember the divine miracle performed by the Most Holy Mother of God. To remember when Pokrov in 2023, you should know that the holiday has an exact date: according to the Julian calendar – the 14th of the tenth month, and according to the Gregorian – October 1.



Today's edition. "Site" I will tell you how to celebrate this year.

When the Intercession in 2023 The holiday was based on the legend about the appearance of the Mother of God to the inhabitants of Constantinople surrounded by enemies. The townspeople fled to the church for an all-night vigil. During prayer, the Most Holy Mother of God descended to them, accompanied by the angels of heaven. She began to pray and ask the Lord for intercession for Christians. Then the Virgin removed her omophorion and covered all those present with it. The holy cover protected the Byzantines, and the enemy army was destroyed by a terrible hurricane.



Since that time, the Most Holy Mother of God was known as a powerful patron and intercessor. The icon dedicated to the Intercession depicts the All-Pure Virgin Mary, who covers all Christians with a sacred omophorion. And in ordinary life, the Intercession still covers the ground if not fallen foliage, then snow.

In many settlements, October 14 is recognized as a patronal (temple) day. The parishioners must attend church on the holiday. They light candles before the image of the Mother of God and ask her for protection and intercession from enemies. They seek healing from illness. The saints pray for family well-being and happy motherhood. The Orthodox treat the celebration of the Intercession with special reverence and try to spend this day with relatives and friends. Upon returning from the temple, they set a generous table and invite guests. But a big sin on the holiday to abuse alcohol and engage in gluttony.



Before the holiday, people usually managed to collect the entire harvest and complete the cultivation of fields. With the onset of cold weather, cattle were put for wintering. The workers had time for personal life, and the period of matchmaking and weddings began. Getting married in the next few days was considered a good sign. After Dmitry, matchmakers were no longer accepted to send. If the girl did not marry before this time, then she could be invited to marry only the following year. The people said: “Before Dmitry the girl is cunning, and Dmitry will come – the girl sheds tears!”

The girls prayed to the Virgin and asked to contribute to a speedy marriage. The unmarried beauties, going to bed on October 13, said: “Mother Mother of God, Holy Intercession, cover my head with at least a rag, so as not to walk as a maiden!”



On the holiday there are prohibitions You can not work hard, clean the house, wash and needlework. It is forbidden to swear and swear. No one can deny charity and help to those who ask.



If the young people met on Pokrov, they will soon become husband and wife. If you wash yourself with the snow that fell on the Intercession, you will preserve youth and beauty for a long time.
The south wind on this day foreshadowed a warm winter.

If the holiday snow did not fall, then until January snowfall should not be expected. What the weather is like – this winter is expected. Cranes flew south before the holiday - winter is coming soon.



Observe Orthodox traditions, do not sin before the Lord, and the Mother of God will take everyone under her divine cover.