On this day the Orthodox Church commemorates the consecration of the Church next to the miraculous, healing spring outside of Constantinople. The Church of the Theotokos of the Life-Giving Spring was first built by Emperor Leo the Great near Constantinople. Before becoming emperor, Leo met a blind man searching for water. After hearing a voice guiding him to a hidden spring, he gave the man water and anointed his eyes, restoring his sight. In gratitude, Leo built a church over the spring, which became known for many healings through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Later, Emperor Justinian the Great, who was also healed by the spring, rebuilt the church on a larger scale. Though it was damaged and restored over time, it was eventually destroyed after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. A small chapel remained for a time, but it too was destroyed in 1821. In 1835, the Orthodox faithful were able to rebuild it, though it was again desecrated in 1955. Today, the site has been restored once more, though it no longer reflects its former grandeur. Despite its trials, the holy spring remains a place of blessing, reminding us of the healing grace of God and the intercessions of the Theotokos. Most-holy Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring: save us! *** A life-giving fount, thou didst conceive the Dew that is transcendent in essence, O Virgin Maid, and thou hast welled for our sakes the nectar of joy eternal, which doth pour forth from thy fount with the water that springeth up unto everlasting life in unending and mighty streams; wherein, taking delight, we all cry out: Rejoice, O thou Spring of life for all men. - Apolytikion, Tone 3 From thine unfailing fount, O Maid supremely graced of God, thou dost reward me by the flow of the unending streams of thy grace that doth surpass human understanding. And since thou didst bear the Word incomprehensibly, I entreat thee to refresh me with thy grace divine, that I may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Water of salvation. - Kontakion, Tone 4