unofficial English translation
Today, we have gathered in this magnificent cathedral to solemnly celebrate its patronal feast—the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. In the great feasts of our Church dedicated to the Mother of God, we learn about Her life associated with Jesus Christ Her Nativity, which we recently celebrated, Her Presentation in the Temple, the Annunciation, Her participation in Christ’s Nativity, and Her Dormition. However, today’s feast focuses on the continuous help and intercession that the Mother of God implores from the Lord for those who seek Her aid.
Prayerful Communion between the Earthly and Heavenly Church
This feast commemorates a historical event where a person was granted the privilege of witnessing with physical eyes the liturgical prayerful unity of the heavenly and earthly Church, which are two parts of one whole—the Body of Christ. The Heavenly Church consists of saints, angels, and all those who dwell in eternal glory with God. The Earthly Church is us, the faithful, who continue our pilgrimage on this earth, striving for the heavenly perspective.
One of the most important aspects of the unity of the heavenly and earthly Church is prayerful communication. The Earthly Church constantly turns to the Heavenly Church, asking for prayers and intercession. The saints and angels do not cease to pray for us, helping us on our path to salvation. The Most Holy Mother of God, as our Intercessor, is the highest example of this prayerful connection. We turn to Her in prayer, knowing that Her intercession is unceasing before the Throne of God. Her maternal love never leaves us without support, encouraging us to trust even more in Her help.
The Historical Background of the Feast
The event of the Protection, which took place in the Blachernae Church, is a vivid symbol of the unity of the heavenly and earthly Church. According to various chronicles, in the early 10th century in Constantinople, during a prayer in the church, Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ, upon lifting his eyes to heaven, saw the Most Holy Mother of God, radiant with heavenly light, surrounded by angels and a host of saints, walking through the air above the faithful who were praying for protection from enemies besieging the Сity. The Mother of God prayed for a long time and then approached the altar, removed the veil from Her Pure Head, and spread it over the worshippers. After this occurrence, the enemy forces retreated, and the Сity was saved.
As we can see, the Lord did not abandon His faithful, and today He also does not leave us in our sorrows. Knowing that “we have an abundance of Christ’s sufferings,” so too, through Christ, we have “an abundance of comfort” (cf. 2 Cor. 1:3–5), so that we may learn to love Him more. As the Apostle Paul writes: “And not only this, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance—character, and character—hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3–5). Therefore, today we sing to the Most Holy Mother of God as the Intercessor for the sorrowful and the Protector of the world: “Most Pure Mother of God! You are a great Intercessor for the sorrowful, a swift helper, salvation, and support for humanity, a sea of grace, a source of divine wisdom, a protector for the world” (Hymn at Vespers).
The Protection of the Mother of God—Her Daily Intercession
The image of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, by which She covered the people in the church, symbolizes Her intercession for us, sinful and helpless. This gesture of Protection is not an exceptional, distant historical event but a daily reality experienced by Christians in worship. That is why on this great feast we sing: “Today, the Virgin stands in the church and, invisibly, prays to God with the choirs of saints…” (Kontakion of the Protection). The Protection of the Mother of God is a manifestation of Her love for the human race. It is Her intercession through which our sins are forgiven, our pains and sorrows healed. Through the Protection, our weak and feeble prayers are strengthened by Her intercession and reach the Throne of God.
The intercessory role of the Most Holy Mother of God is rooted in Holy Scripture. We see Her participation in the miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Our relationship with God is depicted as a great wedding, a feast of love. The story of salvation is the encounter of Christ, the Bridegroom, with the Church, His Bride. There are many aspects that could be explained for deeper understanding, but I would like to draw your attention to a few key moments to better grasp the role of the Mother of God as Intercessor and Helper.
Accepting the Mother of God as Our Mother
What happens in Cana is the “beginning of signs,” the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan. The Evangelist John describes Christ’s ministry through seven signs, culminating in the resurrection of Lazarus just before the events of the Passion. The wedding feast in Cana, attended by Jesus, Mary, and the disciples (John 2:1–2), ends with these words: “This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11). The Virgin Mary, called the Mother of Jesus, is later referred to as “woman.” Jesus says to Her: “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). This address is repeated in the dialogue between Jesus and Mary at the cross. “When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:26–27). Those who remain faithful and loving at the foot of the cross receive a very great gift. The Apostle John, standing by the cross, received Mary, the Mother of God. Jesus says to him: “Behold, your mother.” From the cross, Jesus had nothing material to “give”; even His garments were divided among the soldiers. He had only His Mother, and He gave His Mother to the disciple.
But not only to him. We are all disciples whom Jesus loves. Therefore, the words “Behold, your mother” are addressed to us as well. How wonderful it would be if we left here with the conviction and desire to accept Mary into our lives, as the Apostle John did. To have Her with us always, especially in moments of suffering and trials. This is the most precious treasure Jesus gives to all of us. Jesus entrusts His Mother to us, and at the same time makes us Her spiritual children. As our Heavenly Mother, the Mother of God constantly intercedes for us before the Throne of God. She does not remain indifferent to our life’s difficulties, but is always present in our prayers, problems, and needs. Her intercession is not just a symbol or a memory, it is a living participation in our lives, expressed through prayer, trust, and faith in Her maternal love.
The Most Holy Mother of God occupies a prominent place in the history of salvation, just as She did at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Her “yes” marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan, and through Her cooperation, salvation is accomplished. At the wedding, Jesus used the water intended for Jewish purification rites, along with the cooperation of His Mother and the servants, to perform the miracle. Mary is the first to notice the problem: the wine had run out—and She comes to the rescue, not only to solve that specific problem at the wedding, but to present Herself as the Intercessor for all the faithful.
The Mother of God is Our Mother Here and Now
This moment also shows the repeated help and intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God throughout history, when the Church and humanity found themselves on the brink of crisis. Throughout the centuries, the Church has faced many difficulties and persecutions. In such hard times, the faithful always turned to the Most Holy Mother of God, seeking Her Protection. She has never left Her people without defense. This has been vividly manifested in numerous miracles, apparitions, and healings that the faithful have received through Her.
Especially relevant today is our appeal for the intercession of the Mother of God, as the world again faces pandemics, wars, and other trials. Ukraine, which has been enduring the horrors of war for many years, particularly feels the need for Her intercessory Protection. We turn to the Most Holy Mother of God not only as the Mother of God, but also as our own Mother, who protects Her people from danger. Her Protection becomes for us a spiritual shield that helps us withstand the fight against evil, keep our faith, and hope in God’s mercy.
The intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God is not limited to historical events. She is our Mother here and now. In every prayer, in every appeal to Her, She is always ready to listen and come to our aid. Her role in our prayer is to help us better understand God’s will and to live according to it. She teaches us to tune our hearts to listen to God’s words, as was the case at the wedding in Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
Dear in Christ! Sometimes, the way we struggle with our challenges, especially during war, blinds us to many things around us, hindering our hearts and minds, deepening the complexity of our situation. However, today’s feast is given to us so that we do not feel alone or abandoned. When we look at our lives only from an earthly perspective, limiting our thoughts and actions to this life, we may feel despair. But if we look at our lives from a heavenly perspective, we know that all the heavenly hosts and saints, led by the Mother of God, desire for us to overcome and not fall into despondency. In a moment of despair, St. Andrew, during prayer, asks St. Epiphanius: “Do you see the Lady and Queen of the world?” — “I see, my spiritual father,” he replied.
Defenders of Ukraine Day
Just as the Most Holy Mother of God saved the Сity with Her protective veil, so too do our warriors, often at the cost of their lives, save our State from the treacherous large-scale invasion by Moscow, which began with the thought of “Kyiv in three days.” Today we celebrate Defenders of Ukraine Day — those who stood and continue to stand guard over the freedom and independence of the Motherland. The Ukrainian army, volunteers, and the fearless God-loving Ukrainian people have astonished the world with their faith, strength, unity, and sacrifice. We will surely win, for good always triumphs over evil. Our greatest strength is prayer and trust in God, unity and solidarity, which give us endurance, resilience, confidence, and steadfastness.
Today we pray for our Heroes who gave their lives for the integrity and unity of Ukraine. We pray for the wounded — those who bear on their bodies the wounds for the victory of good and truth, for the volunteers and medics, for all who support the Ukrainian army. We pray for those in captivity, those who today may be most despised and tortured simply for wanting to be free.
On this feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, we fervently turn to the Blessed Virgin and, in full trust in God’s Mercy, place all our hope in Her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We beseech You, Queen of Heaven and Earth: take under Your special maternal care our brave warriors, defenders of the Motherland, keeping them unharmed from all enemy assaults; protect with Your Veil the freedom and independence, the unity and integrity of our Homeland, so that our people, delivered from the calamity of war through Your intercession, may gratefully glorify God, One in the Holy Trinity. Let us pray and fight for our Ukraine, for she too is our Mother. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all! Amen.
† Yaroslav Pryriz,
Bishop of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy
Source: Website of Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Catholic Church