Tens of thousands of believers process with Theotokos Belt in Belgrade

St. Sava Cathedral filled with believers who came to venerate the Belt of the Theotokos. Photo: UOJ

On May 21, 2026, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, known in Serbia as Spasovdan, the Serbian capital became a place of conciliar prayer: tens of thousands of people walked through the city streets with the great Athonite shrine – the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. The procession, held annually in Belgrade in honor of the feast, took on special spiritual significance this year thanks to the presence of the holy relic from Mount Athos, UOJ in Serbia reported.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije carried the reliquary in his hands from the Ascension Church to the London intersection, where the main part of the procession began. Together with the Primate, the procession was led by Archimandrite Ephraim, abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, and Archimandrite Methodius, abbot of Hilandar Monastery.

The prayerful column moved through central Belgrade, stopping at landmark sites. One of them was the Fountain of Life, erected in memory of the thousands of city residents killed during the Nazi bombing raids of 1941. At Slavija Square, the clergy read the Gospel and offered a prayer for the well-being of the Serbian capital, after which the Patriarch sprinkled the faithful with holy water. According to international media, including Reuters, tens of thousands of people took part in the festive procession.

The procession ended at the Church of St. Sava on Vračar, where a service was held. Addressing his flock, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that faith cannot be locked within church walls.

“Faith must enter every street, every home, and every heart, because it must become our whole life,” the Primate said.

He called on believers to “gird themselves with faith” and always place Christ first, so that no room would remain in their hearts for fear or hatred.

The Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos will remain at St. Sava Cathedral until May 29. To allow thousands of pilgrims arriving from Serbia and neighboring countries to venerate the relic, the cathedral will remain open around the clock. Clergy keep constant vigil at the shrine, and after venerating it, believers receive as a blessing a ribbon sanctified on the precious Belt.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Patriarch and President of Serbia welcomed the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. The procession of many thousands in Belgrade once again testified to the unbroken bond between the Serbian people and their Orthodox traditions. The bringing of the Belt of the Theotokos in these difficult times has become a powerful symbol of unity and spiritual consolation for believers. Serbia’s example of conciliar prayer shows that living faith remains the chief foundation of society, capable of uniting people regardless of status or age.

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