Feast of the Theotokos
Precious Robe of the Theotokos
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The placing of the precious Robe of the Mother of God in the Church of Blachernae at Constantinople.
Core account checked against Orthodox Church in America — Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, The Prologue from Ohrid — July 2, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America — Online Chapel, Saints and Feasts. Additional ecclesiastical references appear below.
Life and Witness
The Precious Robe of the Mother of God
The Orthodox Church celebrates the placing of the precious Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae in Constantinople. The ecclesiastical account relates that the brothers Galbius and Candidus encountered the garment in the Holy Land and brought it to the imperial city.
The relic was placed in the celebrated Church of the Theotokos at Blachernae during the fifth century. The shrine became one of Constantinople's principal places of prayer and a lasting sign of the Mother of God's intercession.
Protection of Constantinople
Orthodox tradition associates the Robe and the Blachernae sanctuary with deliverance during attacks on the city. During the Rus assault of 860, Patriarch Photius led prayer with the sacred garment, and the danger passed after a sudden storm.
The Church understands every deliverance as the work of God. The Theotokos is invoked as intercessor and protecting veil because she points the faithful to her Son and teaches obedience to Him.
Feast Day
July 2 — Placing of the Precious Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae.
Historical Record and Ecclesiastical Tradition
The feast commemorates the placing of the Theotokos's Robe at Blachernae in fifth-century Constantinople and the protection associated with that shrine. The account of Galbius and Candidus, the garment's journey and later miracles belongs to ecclesiastical tradition; modern claims to possess portions are included only when documented by responsible Orthodox churches or monasteries.
Biographical information on this page is based exclusively on the Orthodox ecclesiastical sources listed below.
Orthodox Church in America — Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at BlachernaeThe Prologue from Ohrid — July 2Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America — Online Chapel, Saints and Feasts