The Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos left Belgrade after a solemn prayer service

The Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos left Saint Sava Cathedral on Vračar on June 6, 2026. After the completion of the solemn prayer service, the holy relic was delivered to Nikola Tesla Airport for dispatch by special flight to Mount Athos. This is reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Serbia.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije led the farewell ceremony for the holy relic with the participation of the abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, Archimandrite Ephrem, and state representatives. Before departure, the Primate of the Serbian Church once again blessed the people with the Athonite holy relic.

Abbot Ephrem reported on the incredible scale of pilgrimage during the days of the Belt's stay in Belgrade. Hundreds of thousands of people who visited the church during these days proved their faith and love for the Theotokos through their actions.

The solemn procession to the motorcade passed through rows of hierarchs and the honor guard of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard. The faithful filled the square in front of the cathedral to receive the final blessing before the holy relic's return to Athos.

In his address to the flock, Abbot Ephrem called Serbia a country of true Orthodoxy. The abbot of Vatopedi called upon the Serbian people to always observe God's commandments for the preservation of their fatherland.

Patriarch Porfirije thanked the Vatopedi brotherhood for their love and faith and also noted that the joy and peace from the Theotokos's visit will forever remain in people's hearts.

As the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported, in Serbia almost half a million faithful venerated the Holy Belt of the Theotokos.

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