Nearly half a million faithful venerate Theotokos' Holy Belt in Serbia

The final kilometer of the many-kilometer line outside the Church of St. Sava. Photo: UOJ Serbia

On June 1, 2026, it became known that nearly half a million faithful had already venerated the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in Belgrade. The shrine has been kept at the Church of St. Sava since May 21, the UOJ in Serbia reports.

According to the church administration, since the arrival of the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, the number of pilgrims has reached 478,000. The church is keeping an accurate count of visitors, primarily for security reasons.

For several days now, lines stretching for many kilometers have formed near the Church of St. Sava. The faithful are queuing in two directions, and the wait to venerate the shrine often reaches nine to ten hours.

Believers have been coming to Belgrade to venerate the Holy Belt from across Serbia, from neighboring Balkan countries, and from the Serbian diaspora. Many pilgrims arrive in organized groups by bus.

According to statements from the Serbian Church, the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos will remain at the Church of St. Sava until June 6. After the Divine Liturgy, which will be led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, the shrine will be solemnly returned to the Athonite monastery of Vatopedi.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Porfirije had announced the extension of the Belt of the Theotokos’ stay in Serbia.

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