A Historic Farewell in Belgrade

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije will preside over the Divine Liturgy tomorrow, Saturday, June 6, at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade. The service will be held in the presence of the Holy Belt of the Theotokos, one of the most revered relics in Christianity. Following the liturgy, the relic will be ceremonially escorted back to the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. The Serbian Orthodox Church has issued a call for the faithful, clergy, and monastic community to participate prayerfully in this significant spiritual event, marking the end of the relic's multi-week stay in the Serbian capital.

During its time in Belgrade, the Holy Belt drew unprecedented crowds. Sources indicate that over one million believers from Serbia, Republika Srpska, and other parts of the region paid their respects. This marks the first time in more than 650 years that the relic, believed to be the only preserved personal item of the Virgin Mary, has left its home monastery. The stay was initially scheduled to coincide with Pentecost but was extended due to the overwhelming interest of the faithful, who waited for hours in lines to pass beneath the relic.

Grand Ceremony and State Honors

The Serbian Orthodox Church announced that the farewell will be accompanied by the highest church and state honors. The ceremony will feature the Guard of the Serbian Army, the orchestra of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, church choirs, theology students, and various cultural and artistic societies. The event underscores the deep spiritual connection between the Serbian people and Mount Athos, as well as the profound reverence Orthodox Christians hold for the Theotokos.

In a statement, the Church invited believers to join with gratitude to the Mother of God and her Son, Jesus Christ, for the blessing bestowed upon the Serbian capital and the nation. "Let us come to our covenant temple on Vračar to properly see off the great relic and the Archimandrite of Vatopedi, Jefrem, along with his brotherhood," the message read.

With the blessing of Patriarch Porfirije and Archimandrite Jefrem, special arrangements were made to allow as many people as possible to pass under the relic during the farewell, adhering to centuries-old Orthodox tradition. After the final service, the Holy Belt will return to its mother lavra, the Royal Vatopedi Monastery, where it has been guarded for centuries. Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to join spiritually through prayer.