Belt of Most Holy Theotokos leaves Belgrade after solemn prayer service
Patriarch Porfirije blessing the people with the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. Photo: a screenshot from a live broadcast
The Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos left Saint Sava's Cathedral on Vračar on June 6, 2026. Following the solemn prayer service, the holy relic was delivered to Nikola Tesla Airport for transfer on a special flight to Mount Athos, reports the UOJ 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 demonstrated their faith by visiting the church during this period.
The solemn procession to the motorcade passed through rows of bishops and an honor guard of the Serbian Armed Forces. Believers filled the square in front of the cathedral to receive a final blessing before the relic’s return to Mount Athos.
In his address to the flock, Abbot Ephrem called Serbia a country of true Orthodoxy. The abbot of Vatopedi urged the Serbian people to always keep God's commandments for the preservation of their homeland.
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 UOJ reported, in Serbia almost half a million faithful venerated the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos.
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