A Rare Religious Event in Belgrade

Massive crowds gathered outside the Temple of St Sava in Belgrade this weekend as faithful worshippers waited for hours to pay homage to one of Orthodox Christianity's most revered relics — the Belt of the Theotokos. Among the thousands standing in the long lines was Serbian singer Nikolina Kovač, who shared photographs of her experience on social media.

Kovač, who gave birth to her third child just three months ago, spent hours on her feet in the cold. In the caption accompanying her photos, she used an emoji depicting tears of joy and praying hands, signaling the deep emotional impact of the moment.

A Unique Opportunity for Women

The presence of the relic in Serbia is a historic exception. For six centuries, the belt has been kept at Mount Athos in Greece, a monastic republic where women are strictly forbidden from entering. This rare transfer to Belgrade offers a unique opportunity for female worshippers to see the sacred item, which is normally inaccessible to them.

Kovač is a mother of three. She and her husband, Sasa Kapor, welcomed a baby boy earlier this year. Kapor announced the birth on Instagram, tagging his wife and calling her his "life."

Celebrities Join the Pilgrimage

Kovač was not alone in her pilgrimage. Many other prominent figures from Serbian public life visited the temple over the past few days. The list of attendees includes actress Marija Kundacina, television hosts Jovana Jeremic and Milica Nedic, singer Ana Rajkovic, Jovana Ljubisavljevic, wife of musician Nikola Rokvic, and Christian Golubovic, among others.

The event has drawn significant attention across the region, with social media feeds filling with images of the long queues and the emotional reactions of those who finally reached the relic. The atmosphere remains charged with religious devotion as the window to view the belt remains open.