The arrival of the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, together with fragments of the Precious Cross of the Lord from the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, is considered one of the greatest pilgrimages in the entire Christian world. For this reason, May 21 of this year, the feast day of the Savior and the city celebration of Belgrade, is expected to remain engraved as one of the most significant moments in the history of the Serbian capital.
The Holy Belt will be brought to Belgrade on a special flight by Elder Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, together with the monastic brotherhood, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the eve of the city’s feast. The official reception of the sacred relic, which is bringing a grace not witnessed in Belgrade and Serbia for centuries, will take place in front of the Church of the Ascension at 5:00 p.m., where His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia will preside over the festal Vespers service.
On the following day, at the gates of the Church of the Ascension, the Serbian Patriarch will preside over the festive Divine Liturgy concelebrated by hierarchs, Athonite monks, and local clergy. The Miraculous Belt of the Theotokos will remain available for veneration by the faithful both on the previous evening and throughout the feast of the Ascension of the Lord.
The traditional Slava procession from the Church of the Ascension to the Church of Saint Sava, led by the Holy Belt of the Mother of God — regarded as the only personal item remaining after her Dormition — will begin at 7:00 p.m. The procession is expected to bless the faithful gathered and sanctify the streets and squares of the Serbian capital.
Upon arrival at the Cathedral Church of Saint Sava in Vračar, a special service in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos and her Holy Belt will be celebrated. His Holiness Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, and Patriarch of Serbia Porfirije will deliver an address marking the significance of this historic occasion.
According to sacred tradition, the Miraculous Belt, woven from camel hair, was made by the Mother of God herself and worn by her while carrying the unborn Christ. Through this sacred relic, the grace of healing was transmitted, and hundreds of testimonies speak of healings and childbirths experienced by those who approached the Holy Belt with faith and prayer.
In 1371, Saint Prince Lazar of Kosovo donated the Holy Belt to Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, where this revered relic has been preserved ever since. Out of deep reverence and devotion to the Theotokos, the monks of Mount Athos have long maintained the tradition of offering pilgrims small pieces of ribbon blessed upon the Holy Belt for spiritual strengthening and blessing. This tradition will continue at the Church of Saint Sava in Vračar, where faithful believers will also receive blessed ribbon pieces upon request.
