Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice: Der Schutz der Gottesmutter am 14. Oktober

Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice: The Protection of the Mother of God on 14 October

October 5, 2026

On 14 October (1 October by the Julian calendar) the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice (Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God). Among the people the feast is called Pokrovica and is regarded as a great women's feast. This year it falls on a Wednesday. This article explains what happened on this day, what the word Pokrov means, how the feast is celebrated in Serbia and why it holds a special meaning for the diaspora.

What does Pokrov mean?

In the Slavic languages the word pokrov has two meanings: it means veil or covering, and it means protection. The two belong together here. It refers to the veil of the Mother of God, which she spreads protectively over the faithful. The feast falls on the same date every year and is observed mainly in the Slavic churches. It is not one of the twelve great feasts of the church year, but it is among the best-loved feasts among the people.

The apparition in the Blachernae Church

The feast commemorates an event of the 10th century in Constantinople, according to most sources around the year 910. During the reign of Emperor Lav Mudri (Leo the Wise) the city was threatened by enemies. In the Blachernae Church, where the garment of the Mother of God was kept, an all-night vigil was being held.

There the holy Andrej Jurodivi (Andrew, the Fool for Isus Hristos) saw the Most Holy Mother of God together with his disciple Epifanije. She came accompanied by Sveti Jovan Krstitelj (John the Baptist), Sveti Jovan Bogoslov (John the Evangelist) and other saints. She stepped into the middle of the church, knelt down and prayed for a long time in tears. Then she took her veil, the omofor, and spread it over the people gathered there. Tradition tells that the danger passed afterwards and the city was saved.

The veil vanished again, but according to the faith of the Church the protection of the Mother of God remained. Pokrov recalls this to the present day.

Pokrovica: the women's feast

Among the Serbian people Pokrov is distinctly a women's feast. On this day the Mother of God is invoked especially as protector of women, mothers and women in childbirth. According to folk custom, women do no heavy work on Pokrov. Women who long for a child light a candle on this day according to an old custom, pray and fast.

In Serbia, fairs (vašari) are traditionally held around the feast, among others in Arilje, Sokobanja, Jagodina, Leskovac, Krupanj and Raška.

The Slava of the Patriarchate of Peć

Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice is the Slava of the Pećka Patrijaršija (Patriarchate of Peć) in Kosovo. The Sokolica Monastery near Zvečan also celebrates the day as its Slava. Believers from all over Kosovo gather there for the Liturgy and bow before the icon of the Presveta Bogorodica Sokolica. The feast is also celebrated in the diaspora: the Nova Gračanica Monastery near Chicago observes Pokrov as its patronal feast.

Many Serbian families also celebrate Pokrov as their Krsna Slava. How this is done is explained in our article What is the Slava? The Serbian family tradition explained. For the Slavski kolač we offer the Modlice set Bogorodica Pokrov.

The icon Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice

The icon of the feast shows the Mother of God spreading her veil protectively over the faithful. The depiction originates in Slavic icon painting; it did not exist in the iconography of the Greek Church. It therefore belongs especially to the Slavic tradition.

Aleksandra Kläui, co-founder of Svetazvezda, with the icon Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice

In many homes the icon of the Presveta Bogorodica hangs in the icon corner next to the icon of Isus Hristos and the family's Slava icon. How this place is set up is explained in our article Kućni ikonostas: How to set up the icon corner at home.

You will find the Svetazvezda Icon Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice and the Icon Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice in the 16 x 11.5 cm format in the shop. More icons and products for the Mother of God are in the Presveta Bogorodica collection.

Pokrov in the church year

The Mother of God accompanies the whole church year, from Mala Gospojina on 21 September (more in the article Mala Gospojina – the Birth of the Mother of God) to Pokrov in October. Only thirteen days after Pokrov, on 27 October, comes Petkovdan, which many families celebrate as their Slava. You can read more in the article Sveta Petka: Life, Relics and Petkovdan.

Frequently asked questions about Pokrov Presvete Bogorodice

When is Pokrov?
Always on 14 October by the new calendar, which corresponds to 1 October by the Julian calendar. In 2026 the feast falls on a Wednesday.

What does Pokrov mean?
The word means veil and protection. It refers to the veil of the Mother of God, which she spread over the faithful in the apparition.

Who saw the apparition of the Mother of God?
Sveti Andrej Jurodivi and his disciple Epifanije saw the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople.

Why is Pokrov a women's feast?
The Mother of God is regarded as protector of women, mothers and women in childbirth. According to folk custom, women's heavy work therefore rests on this day.

Is Pokrov celebrated as a Slava?
Yes. It is the Slava of the Pećka Patrijaršija, of several monasteries and of many Serbian families.