29.05.2026
VATOPEDI MONASTERY VIDEO LIBRARY
Reception of the Holy Belt at the Church of the Ascension of Belgrade
Serbia is experiencing historic moments as the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos from the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos arrived at the Belgrade airport on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the eve of the Ascension and the city's feast day, opening a ten-day cycle of spiritual blessing for the pious people of the country. The Mother of God relic was presented by the Abbot of the Vatopedi Monastery, Elder Ephraim, who is accompanied by fathers of the Vatopedi brotherhood, while His Beatitude Patriarch of Serbia, Mr. Porphyrios, as well as the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, were present for the reception. A large crowd gathered in the courtyard of the Holy Church of the Ascension of Belgrade, with the atmosphere both moving and devout. His Beatitude, holding the Holy Belt in his hands, entered the Holy Church, flanked by Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the local clergy, while hymns were sung. Immediately after the speech, His Beatitude took the floor, while throughout the entire service the pious people venerated the Holy Belt. After the Patriarch of Serbia, Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi took the floor.