The Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God to St. Andrew in the 10th Century.

At the time, Constantinople was under siege by Barbarian invaders, and the terrified people had gathered inside the Church of Blachernae, where several of Mary’s relics, her robe, veil, and a belt, were kept. St. Andrew and his disciple, Epiphanius, saw the Mother of God in radiant light at the Royal Doors, where she approached the altar, knelt down and prayed long, shedding tears.

Afterwards she arose, removed from her head a veil, and stretched it wide over the frightened people in church. News of the miracle spread throughout the city, the enemy retreated, and the city was saved.