Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary) relic will be in Serbia on Thursday, for Belgrade's Ascension procession!

Serbian Orthodox Monastery Hilandar on St. Athos, Greece; Photo: Ivan Andrejic

Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) priest Radomir Marinkovic noted on Wednesday that the Cincture of the Theotokos (the Belt of Blessed Virgin Mary) will be in Belgrade for the capital's patron saint day, Spasovdan (the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, May 21 in the Orthodox calendar). It has been brought here from Mt. Athos in Greece.

Recommended

Speaking for K1 earlier in the day, Father Marinkovic stressed that this is the only preserved relict of the Theotokos, and that it will be carried along the central streets of Belgrade this coming Thursday.

"The only preserved treasure from her life is kept in the Vatoped Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos. After 650 years, our people and all our believers will have the opportunity to witness the relic that was once in custody of the Holy Prince Lazar (the ruler of the medieval Serbian Empire). A great joy and blessing for us," the priest said.

He added that the value of the relic is not in its material or artistic significance, but in the spiritual symbolism and faith that has been carried among Orthodox Christian believers for centuries.

"The Most Holy Mother of God left us a belt through the Thomas the Apostle to remind us of her for all time, but we believe that we also have spiritual connection with the Most Holy Mother of God herself and that the grace conveyed by that belt is great. There have been numerous testimonies," he said.

Father Marinkovic explained that all believers who attend liturgy tomorrow and bow down to the relic will receive consecrated ribbons prepared in the Vatoped monastery.

He added that the faithful will have the opportunity to bow to the relic starting Wednesday night, as well as during the following days in the St. Sava Temple in Belgrade.

"A festive reception will take place starting at 17:00 (5 pm) , and the relic will be here tomorrow throughout the day. People will be able to worship both tonight and tomorrow. After that, it will be carried in a procession to the St. Sava Temple, where the people will have another nine days to worship," said the priest.

This strengthens the spiritual significance of this year's Spasovdan, and reminds of Belgrade's historical connection with the Theotokos, he noted.

"When Despot Stefan Lazarevic (the son of Prince Lazar) designated Belgrade as the Serbian capital, he first dedicated our city to the Theotokos, and took Spasovdan as the patron saint day (slava) of the city. So two great spiritual festivities are coinciding," Father Marinkovic explained.

The priest added that he hopes that the arrival of this great relic will contribute to the Serbian society overcoming polarization and returning to true values, stressing the importance of mutual respect and Christian fellowship.

At the same time Father Mladenovic noted that this polarization is not as great as some media outlets are trying to portray, especially social networks. People are not as angry as is the impression created there, he remarked.

"I would remind  Orthodox believers that the Savior came more than 2,000 years ago. Do not expect another one. If we are fighting for a more fair and better society, the way to do that is certainly not to clash with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but to follow Christ's commandments, which say that we not only love our friends, but also our enemies," the priest concluded.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)