The icon showing the Theotokos standing with her arms outstretched in prayer and draped in a veil (omophorion – Pokrov) recalls the story of her miraculous appearance in the Blachernae church in Constantinople likely in the mid-tenth century. This occurred one night as the church was filled with the faithful praying for deliverance from enemies. St. Andrew, known as the Fool for Christ, and his disciple Epiphanius saw the Theotokos enter the church and face the sanctuary.  There she tearfully prayed for a long time after which she approached the Bishop’s Throne and continued her prayer.  Then taking her veil she turned to those present, and held it out over them, showing her intention to protect them from enemies both visible and invisible. In the icon she holds the omophorion and is flanked by angels.  This is a meeting of heaven and earth. Behind her we see the mandrola or nimbu s, reminding us of this presence of heaven on earth. In the background are the multiple domes depicting the Cathedral of Blachernae where the event took place.