A Rare Relic Remains in the Serbian Capital

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia has confirmed that the Holy Belt of the Theotokos will stay in the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade until Friday, June 5. The announcement, made during a sermon by Archimandrite Jefrem of the Vatopedi Monastery, was met with cheers from the faithful. The relic was originally scheduled to leave earlier, but the sheer volume of pilgrims has prompted a significant extension of its stay.

"The good news from our elder Jefrem is that, given the immense love you, dear brothers and sisters, show to the Most Holy Theotokos, and the effort you make standing in the sun, the belt will remain until next Friday," Patriarch Porfirije stated. The initial extension had already moved the departure date from May 29 to June 1 due to overwhelming interest. Now, the stay lasts another four days.

Historical Significance and Devotion

The Holy Belt is one of the most revered relics in the Orthodox world. It is a personal item of the Virgin Mary, woven from camel hair, and divided into three parts. According to tradition, Mary gave the belt to the Apostle Thomas at her ascension. The relic passed into Serbian hands around 1330, when Saint Prince Lazar defeated the Bulgarian army. A decade later, Lazar donated it to the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, where it has been kept ever since.

It is extremely rare for the belt to leave the monastic walls of Mount Athos. It arrived in Belgrade on May 20, first visiting the Ascension Church before a solemn procession through the city streets on Pentecost Sunday. Since then, thousands have flocked to the Temple of Saint Sava. Believers report hundreds of testimonies of healing and grace associated with the relic. The extended stay allows more pilgrims to pay their respects without the pressure of immediate departure.