More than a million believers venerated the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in Belgrade

A major religious event in the Serbian capital drew an unprecedented number of pilgrims: more than 1,100,000 people came to venerate one of the most important Christian relics—the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. The relic was displayed in the city’s major churches, drawing believers from across the country and abroad.

According to information provided by the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the solemn presentation of the relic began with its placement in Belgrade’s Church of the Ascension on the eve of Spasovdan (the Ascension of the Lord). Following the festive celebrations and a procession, the Belt was transferred to the Church of St. Sava in Vračar, where the pilgrimage continued amid a high spiritual atmosphere.

As a reminder, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) had previously officially expressed its support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), pointing to the systematic oppression of believers and clergy by the current authorities in Kyiv. In the Council’s final communiqué, the situation surrounding the UOC was described as a massive injustice requiring the immediate attention of the international community.