Ode 6. Irmos.

Katavasia, the Irmos of the 1st Canon.

Kontakion. Tone 8. To you, my Champion.

Come godly-minded people, as we celebrate this divine and honoured feast of the Mother of God, let us clap our hands as we glorify the God who was born from her. **Twice.**

By night a pillar of fire once guided the Israelite people, while now, O Immaculate, your Protecting Veil, formed like lightning, ever guides us to salvation.

Unfolding your Protection, wholly light, you protect us each day, All-pure Virgin, as we now know. What return then shall we make you for your grace?

Of old and now you have shown us to be your own chosen portion and a people for your won possession, O Maiden. Therefore the company of the Orthodox sings your praise.

Your faithful and God-loving people, O Maiden, proclaims your grace and, delivered from dangers and perils, sings a song of thanksgiving to your Protection.

Second Canon. Be merciful to me, Saviour.

In truth, O Queen of the universe, you appeared all light and wondrously unfolded your most pure Protection, protecting your servants. Therefore we sing the praise of your great loving-kindness.

The Cherubim once overshadowed the ark under the Law; while now your Protection protects the Church of Christ, All blessed one, overshadows her and grants unstinted grace.

The Israel of old was led by a cloud to the Promised Land, while the new Israel is guided by your Protecting Veil towards unending life.

Round us you throw your radiant Protection, O most pure, like fire consuming the foolish, saving us from their folly. Therefore we glorify you.

Like a cloud brightly overshadowing the whole company of the Church, O all-pure, you appeared of old on the royal City. But as the Protection and Champion of your people, protect from every affliction us who cry to you: Hail, Protection wholly light.

Unfolding from on high your holy Protection, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, you protect and save your people, who cry out to you, Pure Maiden, hour by hour, while now they gratefully sing the praise of your wonders as they cry: Hail, Protection, wholly light!

Hail, gate of salvation.

Hail, Protection of the Church.

Hail, wondrous vision of the Angels.

Hail, unshakeable support of mortals.

Hail, Ever-Virgin Mother of Christ the universal King.

Hail, Protection and assistance of your faithful people.

Hail, for you appeared protecting your race.

Hail, for you grant victories to the troops.

Hail, source of abundant goodness.

Hail, lamp of God’s loving-kindness.

Hail, for through you we conquer the foe.

Hail, for to you we cry out each day:

Hail, Protection wholly light!

On the 1st of the month we celebrate the commemoration of the Protecting Veil of our most holy Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, who ever gives special protection to the Orthodox people, as of old she protected the Queen of cities.

Those who with faith, pure Virgin, look to you

With your Protection you protect and cherish.

Protection of God’s Mother veils God’s people.

Once, during an all-night vigil that was being celebrated in the holy shrine in Vlachernae, the blessed Andrew went there, as was his custom. Epiphanios was there also with one of his children. He was would stand there, as his custom was, because his fervour gave him strength, sometimes until midnight, sometimes until dawn. And so, when it was already about eleven o’clock at night, the blessed Andrew saw with his own eyes a most extraordinary vision coming in female form from the royal doors with a dread entourage, among which was the honoured Forerunner and the son thunder, holding her by the hand on either side, and many Saints, robed in white, went before her; while others followed with hymns and spiritual songs. When she drew near the ambo, Andrew approached Epiphanios and said, ‘Do you see the Lady and Mistress of the world?’ He replied, ‘Yes, my spiritual father.’

And as they watched, she bowed her knees and prayed for a long time, shedding tears down her godlike and immaculate face. After her prayer, she advanced to the sanctuary, where she entreated for the people present. So when she had removed the veil which she was wearing on her most-pure head and which had the appearance of lightning, she unrolled it and taking it with great reverence in her all-pure hands — it was large and awesome — spread it out above all the people who were standing there. The saints saw it stretched out over the people for a number of hours and blazing with the gory of the Lord like amber. As long as the most holy Mother of God was there, it was visible also, but after she had departed, it was no longer to be seen. For while she indeed took it with, she felt behind her grace for those who were there.

At the prayers of your most pure Mother, Christ God, have mercy and protect us from visible and invisible enemies and save our souls. Amen.

First Canon.