“Rejoice, our joy;

guard us from all evil with your protecting veil!”

On October 1, 911, when a vigil was held in the church of Blachernae in Constantinople to save the besieged city, at four o'clock in the morning, the Mother of God appeared before the people, being up high, in the air, and praying with tears to her Son for the people that were asking for God's mercy and help. This is related not only in the Akathist of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God, but also in the spiritual life of the monasteries that constantly ask for the intercession of the Mother of God.

The Protecting Veil of the Mother of God is also the patronal feast of the monastery in Allegan, MI. The Feast began in the evening, at 7.00, with the All-Night Vigil service (Vespers with Litya, followed by Matins). With the blessing of HE Metropolitan Nicolae, Rev. Fr. Nicolae Cărbune was the one who celebrated this year's service, while a youth group, eager to discover the beauty of Byzantine chant, sang at the Vigil.

The Holy and Divine Liturgy that was served on the following day was attended not only by the locals of Allegan, but also by a significant number of pilgrims from Chicago. The celebration ended with a fraternal agape attended by all those present at the Liturgy.

Like her Son, the Mother of God has an infinite love for us, because she “is, by nature, the same with us, she loves us with absolute, holy love and, knowing from experience the many needs, troubles and humiliations, she is especially appreciated by those who are in troubles, broken-hearted, orphans, sick, helpless, persecuted and tired, ”says Archimandrite Cyril.

“All our hope we put in you, Mother of God, guard us from all evil with your protecting veil!”

Preoteasa Sanda Cărbune