In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved brothers and sisters, fellow citizens of the Heavenly Politeia,
Today, in the midst of the sacred cycle of the Ecclesia, we stand beneath the outstretched veil of the Ever-Virgin Mother of God. On this radiant day of the Holy Protection, the Church lifts her voice as one, proclaiming: “Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded, who shelters the people beneath thy mantle!”
In the vision granted to Saint Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple Epiphanius, we behold the Theotokos standing in the air, arrayed in light more brilliant than the sun, her veil extended over the faithful like the tabernacle of the Most High. This is no mere vision of the past but an eternal reality mystically present to the Church in every age.
The Rhominoi, guardians of the Apostolic Faith, knew this mystery well. For as the earthly Queen protected the earthly Empire, so does the Queen of Heaven safeguard the New Zion — the holy Church, the Body of her Son. Her protection is not bound by walls nor limited by armies, but is the invincible fortress of intercession, compassion, and ceaseless maternal love.
O people of God, contemplate the veil of the Theotokos! This veil is the same which covered the holy head of the Virgin in Nazareth when she received the Archangel’s greeting; the same which wrapped the Christ Child in Bethlehem; the same which wiped the tears of the Mother as she stood by the Cross. Now, in triumph, it spreads over the entire cosmos, declaring that her intercession is mighty and her mercy is without end.
The Empire may rise and fall, earthly kingdoms may pass away, but the Protection of the Theotokos endures. She is the rampart of the monastic, the shield of the city, the comfort of the widow, the defender of orphans, the hope of sinners who cry out: “O Lady, do not cease to cover us beneath thy holy omophorion.”
In these days, beloved, when the tempests of confusion assail both Church and world, let us hasten all the more to seek refuge beneath her Protection. Let our prayers ascend like incense before her throne, and let our lives be adorned with purity, humility, and steadfastness, imitating her holy obedience.
Therefore, let us join with the angelic choirs and with all the righteous from ages past, crying aloud:
Rejoice, Protectress of Christians!
Rejoice, Shelter of the oppressed!
Rejoice, Victory of the faithful!
Rejoice, our most gracious Lady, who ever intercedes for us before the throne of thy Son!
Through her holy intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Amen.
