The spiritual marathon in the Serbian capital concluded yesterday as the Holy Belt of the Theotokos was ceremonially dispatched from the Temple of Saint Sava back to its permanent home at the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. For 17 days, the massive church on Vračar Hill served as a focal point for thousands of faithful who traveled from across Serbia and abroad to seek blessings under the sacred relic.

A Sea of Devotion

Despite morning rains soaking the streets of Belgrade, the atmosphere inside the cathedral remained charged with reverence. Pilgrims continued to arrive in large numbers until the very last moment, eager to pass beneath the Holy Belt one final time. The emotional weight of the event was palpable among the crowd, many of whom described an indescribable sense of peace and connection.

For 16-year-old Sara Ristić, the visit fulfilled a long-held wish. "I felt filled, as if I were more connected to God," she said, noting that the feeling is difficult to explain to those who have not experienced it. Families traveled from neighboring regions to participate. Jovan Bojanić, who arrived from Podgorica with his wife and two young children, emphasized the unity of the people. "Our enemies have always said, 'God forbid the Serbs unite,' but here we stand together," he remarked, calling the gathering a demonstration of national and spiritual strength.

Others found deeply personal moments of grace. Mirjana Draganić, holding consecrated ribbons with tears in her eyes, described the experience as "fascinating" and "unexpected," comparing its emotional impact to her previous visits to Jerusalem. Even the youngest attendees were moved; nine-year-old Hana, visiting for the second time, shared that she prayed for the health of her family. Her grandmother added that the sheer volume of love and respect in the air was hard to describe.

The Patriarch’s Final Blessing

The Holy Belt was elevated on a pedestal within the temple, allowing pilgrims to walk slowly beneath it in prayer. Slavica Marković, a dedicated devotee from Belgrade, attended both the arrival and departure ceremonies, waiting in line for hours on previous occasions. "It means nothing," she said regarding the long waits, expressing only gratitude to the Theotokos and the Lord.

Patriarch Porfirije presided over the final Divine Liturgy, offering words of comfort and continuity to the faithful. He emphasized that while the physical relic was returning to its sacred home in Greece, the spiritual gift it bestowed remained with the people. "The blessing we received through faith, prayer, and repentance stays in our hearts and our being," the Patriarch stated. "It is an invaluable, imperishable gift from God." As the relic began its journey back to the monastic republic of Mount Athos, the sense of closure was matched by a lasting feeling of communal hope.