On the 2nd of July each year the Orthodox Church celebrates the placing of the Robe of the Virgin Mary in the church at Blachernae in Constantinople. Two noblemen from Constantinople were travelling to the Holy Land during the reign of the Emperor Leo (457-74). While they were in Nazareth they stayed at the house of a Jewish woman who had in her possession the robe of the Virgin Mary.This she kept in a secret place. It had been in her possession for many years. It had been passed down by one of her relations who had been attending the Virgin Mary. The two nobles ,Galbius and Candidus ,took the robe back to Constantinople , and they told the Emperor and the Patriarch of their discovery. The Emperor placed the robe in the chief Marian shrine at Constantinople ,the church of Blachernae . This church had been built by the Emperor Pulcheria around the year 450 on the site of a miraculous spring of water. Leo added a circular chapel to house the robe of the Virgin Mary.The robe was venerated as one of the greatest treasures to be found in the imperial capital.On 2nd July a special feast was insituted which is celebrated each year.
Kontakion for 2nd July:
O pure and full of God's grace,Thou
hast given to all the faithful as a
garment of incorruption thy sacred
robe wherewith thou hast covered thy
holy body,O Protection that coverest
all humankind .With love we celebrate
its deposition ,and with faith we cry aloud:
Rejoice ,O Virgin ,glory of Christians!
