Beograd's annual celebration of the city's patron saint, Vaznesenje Gospodnjeg (Resurrection of Christ), includes a Spasovdanska litija (Holy Procession), which will again wind through central streets this year.

Procession Route and Schedule

The procession will start from Vaznesenjska crkva (Church of the Resurrection) and proceed along Kralja Milana street, across Trg Slavija, and along Bulevar Oslobođenja to the Hram Svetog Save (Church of St. Sava). The only stop will be at Trg Slavija, from which the participants will proceed to the Church of St. Sava. This year, the procession will feature the belt of the Mother of God from the Vatoped Monastery on Mount Athos.

The liturgy at Vaznesenjska crkva will begin at 9 a.m., and the procession will start at 7 p.m. from in front of the church. Patriarch Porfirije will lead the procession, which is part of the celebration of the city's patron saint. The procession will include the ceremonial carrying of the belt of the Mother of God from Mount Athos, an event that adds significant meaning to the celebration.

Honorary Cross Bearer

This year, the honorary cross will be carried by Andrej Drobnjaković, a student of Matematička Gimnazija, who has won numerous medals in academic olympiads. At the end of the procession and service at the Church of St. Sava, 300,000 blessed trinkets will be distributed to the faithful, which were blessed on the belt of the Mother of God at the Vatoped Monastery.

The procession will also feature guards, clergy, cultural and artistic societies, the police orchestra, high-ranking officials, and the faithful. The procession will culminate with the Holy Gospel followed by a series of priests and an icon of the Mother of God holding the honorary belt, specially painted for the occasion by local artists.