The Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov [Покров] in Russian or Skepi [Σκέπη] in Greek) is a feast day celebrating the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae (Vlaherna) in the tenth century. The Blachernae Palace church was where several of her relics were kept. The relics were her robe, veil, and part of her belt that had been transferred from Palestine during the fifth century. The Theotokos (birth-giver of God) approached the center of the church, knelt down and

"A certain brother by the name of John came from the coastal country to the holy and great father Philemon, and clasping his feet, said to him: 'What must I do, Father, to be saved? I see that my mind is distracted and wanders hither and thither where it should not.' After a short silence, Philemon said to him: 'This is a sickness suffered by those who are external, and it remains in you because your love of God is not yet perfect; up till now the warmth of the love and the