The
celebration of the feast day of the icon “The Mother of God of Vladimir” takes
place in gratitude for saving Moscow from Khan Akhmat’s attack. In 1480 under
Grand Duke John III (1462-1505) the Golden Horde Khan, Akhmat and his vast army
reached the river Ugra. The river is also called “the girdle of the Mother of
God”, which guards the Moscow lands. Both armies were staying in front of each
other all day long without taking decisive actions. This event became known as
“The Great Standoff on the Ugra river”. All of the residents of Moscow were
praying to the Mother of God, the protector of the city. The citizens asked Her
to save the orthodox capital. 
Metropolitan
Gerontiy (1473-1489) and archbishop Vassian of Rostov supported the Russian
army with their prayers, advice and blessings. The metropolitan wrote a common
message to the Duke, in which he asked to confront the enemy in a brave manner
and rely on the Mother of God for help.
The
Mother of God stood up for the Russian land. The Duke ordered the army to back
down from the river, as he waited for the Tatars to cross it. But the enemies
thought the Russians were trying to ambush them and began to back down as well.
At first they left their positions slowly, but by nightfall they ran away
driven by fear. That is why the celebration of the Mother of God was
established – to express people’s gratitude for the liberation of Russia from
the Tatars’ oppression.
Translated
from: http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/914250.html
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