Orthodox Christians celebrate the Protection of the Virgin

The Russian Orthodox Christian Church is celebrating the Protection of the Virgin today. This holiday is established in the memory about the miraculous appearance of the Virgin in the Vlakhernsky Church of Constantinople in the X century. This holiday is celebrated in Russia since the XII century is considered one of the great Christian holidays.

This day is also considered the Day of mercy and compassion and Moscow churches traditionally collect donations for the needs of the prisoners.

It happened so that this holiday wasn’t included into the Greek Church’s calendar. Since then it is celebrated only by the Russian Christian Church. It is considered Russia is found under the special protection of the Virgin and this day was often greatly respected in Russia. Many churches in Russia are erected in the honor of the Virgin and the holiday’s name can be met in plenty of geographical and toponymy names.