The honor of the Holy Cover dates back to the 5th century, when the Cover (the mafion), the Belt and the Shirt (the tunic) of the Virgin Mary reach Constantinople. According to tradition, the Cover and the Belt were found in the tomb of the Holy Virgin of Ghetsimani Garden, when the tomb for the Apostle Thomas was opened.

Emperor Leon I, in the year 473, places the Cover together with the Tunic of the Virgin Mary in a special paraclis within the Church of St. Mary of Vlaherne (Panaghia Vlaherniotissa).

The covering and the Holy Virgin’s Belt, together with a fragment of the Holy Cross Wood, were considered in Constantinople holy protective objects, “palladium”, being worn in the imperial ceremonies, in the halls, in processions – to protect and bless the capital of the empire. When needed, these relics were taken by emperors in wars or military expeditions.

The cover or mafion was a clothing item specific to the Palestinian environment, which was kept strictly during the Talmudic period. The women wore a longer veil or shawl that fell on their shoulders and back. They also used it when needed to carry food or cereals. Most often, this cover was made of camel hair, hemp or linen fabrics, and for more important events one of the most valuable materials, such as wool or porphyry, was used. Although sometimes the Cover has been confused with the Virgin’s Belt, they are actually two different relics. Thus, the belt was another clothing item found in the Orientals, which appeared for practical reasons, to clothe long and wide garments. The practice of covering the head was taken up by the first Christians, then by the Byzantines. In iconography, unlike the usual coverings, the Cover of the Virgin appears from the fifth century as being adorned with three stars, symbol of the Pure Virgin Mary: before, during and after the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Feast of the Virgin Mary on October 1 is a special celebration of the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the tenth century in the Church of Vlaherne. The Vlaherne district of Constantinople, inhabited by the Vlachs from Scithia Minor, played an important role in the Byzantine marital piety. This is due both to the Icon of the miracle-maker of the Virgin Mary – Vlahernitissa, and to the presence here of the Cover of the Virgin Mary. The mentioned event happened on October 1, 911, when, during a night watch, at 4 in the morning, the Mother of God showed up to protect the faithful gathered in the church for fear of a barbarian invasion. Present at this service, Saint Andrew the Crazy for Christ and his disciple, Epiphany, “saw the Emperor of heaven, the protector of all the world, the Blessed Virgin Mary, standing in the sky and praying and shining with light. the people with his honest homophore, surrounded by heavenly warriors and crowds of saints, who stood in white robes with circumspection around her; of which two were elected, St. John the Forerunner and John the Evangelist. And the humble prayers of her prayer to her beloved Son and our God Jesus Christ were heard: Heavenly emperor, receive every man that glorifieth thee, and call in thy holy name throughout; and where the remembrance of my name is made, that place sanctifies it, and praises those that glorify You, and those who love me, Your Mother. Receive all their prayers and promises and deliver them from all their needs and wickedness. ”

In the Greek tradition this miracle was celebrated more by the monks of the Holy Mount Athos. Over time, it took the form of a holiday, becoming very honest in the Slavic world, the oldest icons of the Cover of the Virgin Mary dating from the twelfth century. In the paintings of monasteries in our country such as Suceviţa, Hurezu, Polovragi and Govora we find represented the Cover of the Virgin Mary, which indicates that this holiday was also known to us, even if it was generalized a little later.

The first churches in our country that dedicated the dedication of the Blessed Virgin are attested in the eighteenth century. The first and best known is the wooden church of the Pocrov Sketch, founded in 1714 by the former Roman bishop, Pahomie. He worshiped the church in the meadow where he celebrated the beloved feast of his spiritual, Metropolitan Dimitrie of Rostov. Another church that has remained in memory of the Năsăud land in Transylvania is the monastery in Sîngeorz, located in the “Runcul Monastery”, dating from 1746, which is supposed to have been dedicated to Pocrov. Unfortunately, this monastery of monks was burned down by General Bukov and at the same time disappeared.

In the 19th century we find the same dedication to the old church in Baia I parish, Babadag-Tulcea, built in 1845 and to the Călugara-Caransebeș monastery built in 1861.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the first known churches in our country that received the feast day from October 1 are the new church of the Saon Monastery started in 1909 and the church of Călugăreni Monastery built in 1914.

In our popular tradition, this holiday is known as Pocroave (Slavonic “pocrov” which means veil, covering) and often conical with the time when the earth is covered with mist or snow. Over the years it has gained increasing popularity, so that from 2017 it was passed as a red cross holiday in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, along with the other feasts dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This popularity can also be explained by the liturgical practice in monasteries, where it is customary for at least once a month to perform the service of the watch at the Blessing of the Virgin. Also, in the line of personal prayer many spiritualists recommend, especially at times of trial, the reading of the Coat of Arms that brings comfort and encouragement to many, but also the acquisition of useful ones. Although the historical significance of the holiday is less understood, in the godliness of the believers the Blessing of the Virgin Mary is perceived as caring and protecting the Blessed Virgin for all who ask her help.