*The Pokrov Presvyatuiya Bogorditsui
commemorates an event sid to have happened in 911 A.D. the people
of Constantinople were threatened by Saracen invasion. They fled
to the Church of the Viakhernae (Blachernae) and implored the
aid of the Mother of God. The Holy Fool for Christ's Sake Andrew
(Andrey) and his disciple Epiphanius (Epiphaniy) saw Mary appear
in the air over the assembled people. She held a veil in her hands
and spread it over the crowd as a sign of protection.
Mary stands on a cloud within the church,
accompanied by saints such as John the Forerunner and the Apostles
Peter Paul & John. At lower right Andrew points out the vision
to Epiphanius. Below the Mother of God stands Romanos the Melodist,
a famous hymnographer of the 6th century. He is included because
his feast day is on Oct. 1, the same day the "Protection
of the Most Holy Mother of God" is celebrated (October 14
New Style) - and also because he composed the most famous of all
Orthodox hymns to Mary, the Akathistos (Russian Akafist), meaning
"Not Seated" so called because it was sung while standing.
To the left of Romanos is Tarasios,
Patriarch of Constaninople, and the Emporer Leo and Empress Zoe.
In a small scene near center, left, Romano the Melodist, deacon
of the Church of Holy Wisdom in Byzantium, lies on a bed as the
Mother of God gives him ascroll to eat, after which he was able
to sing well.
