Patriarch and President of Serbia receive Belt of Most Holy Theotokos

People gathered in front of the Ascension Church awaiting entry to venerate the Holy Belt. Photo: UOJ

On May 20, 2026, one of the greatest shrines of the Orthodox world - the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos - was brought to Serbia from the Athonite Monastery of Vatopedi, reports the UOJ in Serbia.

A solemn reception took place at the airport, where a prayer service was performed right on the runway. Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, Abbot of Vatopedi Archimandrite Ephrem, and the country's President addressed the gathered clergy, monastics, and numerous faithful.

Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that the arrival of the shrine is a "great blessing and joy" for all of Serbia. The Primate highlighted the unbreakable spiritual connection of the Serbian people with Vatopedi, where Saint Sava and his father Saint Simeon the Myrrh-streaming once took monastic vows. According to the Patriarch, the Belt, which the Theotokos "herself wove and wore," possesses "healing power" and after six centuries is again visiting Serbian lands, witnessing to eternal ties with the Athonite brotherhood.

Abbot Ephrem in his address noted that bringing the Belt is a duty and tribute of respect to Saint Prince Lazar, who in his time donated part of this shrine to the Vatopedi Monastery. "I testify to you that the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos performs great miracles, especially granting barren women the opportunity to become mothers." He added that in these current times of trials and injustice, the Serbian people will receive from the shrine "great consolation" and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The President of Serbia called the event a tremendous honor and hope for the country. He expressed confidence that the intercession of the Theotokos will help the Serbian people "be less subjected to attacks by foreign forces" and peacefully steer the ship of state.

Currently, the shrine is located in the Ascension Church of Belgrade. The church will be open for veneration around the clock - the doors will not close as long as there is a flow of people coming to the Belt. On the feast of the Ascension of the Lord (Spasovdan), May 21, Patriarch Porfirije will lead a many-thousand procession and transfer the Belt to the Church of Saint Sava in Vračar. The shrine will remain there until May 29, with the cathedral also receiving pilgrims day and night. Organized groups of faithful from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are already arriving in Belgrade.

As the UOJ reported, for the Ascension, the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos will be brought to the Serbian Church from Athos. The participation of the highest clergy and state leadership emphasizes the status of Orthodoxy as the spiritual foundation of Serbia. In an era of global challenges, such conciliar veneration of the Athonite shrine becomes a powerful factor in the consolidation of the Orthodox world.

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