OCTOBER 14, THE FEAST OF POKROVA THE PATRONESS OF UKRAINIAN HOST

Our Lady of Sloboda the Queen of Ukrainian Cossacks

The 14 of October, on this day the Christians of the East Europe celebrate the feast of Pokrova (Feast of the Intercession). In the Ukrainian tradition the Blessed Virgin Mary considered a patroness of military since the Zaporizhia Sich times. For Ukrainian people October 14 is not just a Christian feast, but the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army Foundation day and the Day of the Defender of the Motherland! 

The Rus' princely warriors, Sich Cossacks, Haidamaks, Sich Riflemen, warriors of the UNR and UGA armies, Kholodny Yar rebels, the UVO fighters, the OUN activists, the UPA fighters, and of course the brave warriors of Donbass front - the Ukrainian history knows many glorious names of the nation defenders and all they had been fighting under the Protection of the Virgin Mary. 

Since 2015, this day has become a national holiday - the Day of Defender of Ukraine. Throwing back the Soviet "tradition," today Ukrainians are honoring the courage and heroism of the defenders of our God given land.

Today we have another opportunity to remember all challenges our nation has passed through as well as to think of how many difficulties we have to overcome in future, what sacrifices we are ready make in order to defend our shrines - our country, homes, families, cities - all that is called UKRAINE.

On the 14th of October the Ukrainian nationalists traditionally conducted a patriotic march in honor of the Nation Defenders. This year the solemn "March of the Nation" had gathered about 10 thousand of patriots from all over the country. It was started at the foot of the Motherland Monument, then the column moved to the Sophia Square. 

photos by the Azov Press: