Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos

Commemorating the Feast of the Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos (Sept. 13/Aug. 31)

The Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God, which is now divided into three parts, is the only surviving relic of Her earthly life. The Mother of God wore a belt woven from camel wool, and, after Her Dormition, it came into the hands of the Apostle St Thomas. In the first centuries of the Christian era, it was held in Jerusalem. In the 4th century, we know that it was in the Cappadocian town of Zela, and in the same century, Emperor Theodosius the Great once again returned it to Jerusalem. Later on, his son Arkadios took the relic to Constantinople.

The Belt remained in Constantinople until the end of the 12th century. However, one of the consequences of the defeat of Isaac Angelos by the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen was that the Bulgars seized the Belt and took it to Bulgaria. It later fell to the Serbs. Prince Lazar I Hrebeljanović gave the Belt and a piece of the True Cross to Vatopedi Monastery. Since then, the monks have kept it in the sanctuary of the Katholikon of the main cathedral at the Monastery.

There have been countless miracles worked through the intercession of the Holy Belt over the centuries.
For the first time since it came to Vatopedi Monastery, the Holy Belt was taken beyond Greece. Usually, once a year, the reliquary with the Belt visits Greek towns upon request, but it never went outside the country. An exception was made for Russia.

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Ever-Virgin Theotokos, protectress of mankind, / you have given your people a powerful legacy: / the robe and sash of your most honored body which remained / incorrupt throughout your seedless childbearing; / for through you time and nature are renewed! / Therefore we implore you: “Grant peace to your people and to our souls great mercy!” (Troparion)