"This cannot be explained by statistics or logic": Ceremonial farewell to the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos

Although late last night the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos was placed on a raised stand inside the Church of Saint Sava so that pilgrims could receive a blessing by passing beneath this sacred relic and offering prayers for themselves and their loved ones, the lines in the streets surrounding the church did not diminish.Despite the rain that began falling this morning, believers responded in large numbers to the call of Patriarch Porfirije and continue to arrive at the Saint Sava Plateau.The Divine Liturgy has concluded at the Church of Saint Sava before the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, attended by a large number of faithful. At 2:00 p.m., a prayer service (moleben) will be held, after which one of Christianity&rsquo;s most revered relics will be ceremonially escorted back to the imperial monastery of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.Patriarch Porfirije said that the departure of the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos from Serbia does not mean the departure of the blessing that this great relic has brought to the faithful.&ldquo;The Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos is returning to Mount Athos and to the sacred Athonite brotherhood of Vatopedi Monastery, but we know that the blessing this Belt has brought us is not leaving us. What all of us have received through faith, prayer, and repentance remains in our hearts, in our very being, as an invaluable and everlasting gift from God,&rdquo; the Patriarch said during his sermon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Мисионарска Делатност Храма Светог Саве (@misionarskadelatnost)Speaking at the liturgy marking the farewell of the relic before its return to Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that during the previous days hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in prayer, peace, and unity, demonstrating the strength of faith and community.&ldquo;Both the elderly and the young came, children and parents, the sick and the healthy, those who carry joy in their hearts and those who bear the burden of a difficult life. All came to one Mother&mdash;the Mother of God and our Mother, the Most Holy Theotokos. There are, as we know well, many others who wished to come and venerate this holy relic but could not because of illness, old age, infirmity, or other circumstances of life. Let them know that we who came, you who came, came on their behalf as well, and that the Most Holy Theotokos will bless them too and has not forgotten them,&rdquo; Patriarch Porfirije said.FOTO TANJUG/ JADRANKA ILIĆ/ nrHe added that many believers waited more than ten hours to venerate the relic, but that they did so in peace and patience.&ldquo;Many waited for 10, 12, and even 14 hours to venerate this holy relic. They waited in peace, patience, and prayer. It was not difficult for anyone, because where there is love, where there is faith, where there is love for God, a person does not count steps or hours. When a person stands before the mystery of God&mdash;that is, when we stand before the mystery of God, before the living God&mdash;time ceases to be measured by a clock, and our hearts begin to beat and live according to a different rhythm,&rdquo; the Patriarch said.He emphasized that the enormous turnout of believers cannot be explained solely by sociological, psychological, or political factors, but above all by the power of faith.&ldquo;This is not a phenomenon that can be understood through statistics or mathematical formulas. It is about faith, which is greater than anything we can measure or calculate. It is broader than our reason, deeper than our emotions, and more exalted than anything we can see with the naked eye or touch with our hands,&rdquo; said Patriarch Porfirije.The Holy Belt was originally scheduled to be ceremonially escorted to the airport immediately after the Divine Liturgy, but it was later decided that the farewell ceremony would begin following the prayer service (moleben) at the Church of Saint Sava. A large number of believers are attending the liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava. Before the service began, without waiting and within just a few minutes, they were able&mdash;according to a centuries-old tradition practiced in Orthodox churches&mdash;to pass beneath the Holy Belt, which was placed on a raised stand inside the church, in order to receive a blessing and consecrated ribbons.The faithful will continue to have the opportunity to pass under the Holy Belt until it is taken on its journey to Nikola Tesla Airport. The ceremonial farewell will be accompanied by the highest church and state honors, with participation from the Guard of the Armed Forces of Serbia, the orchestra of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, folklore ensembles, choirs, theology students, and others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ХРАМ - званична телевизија Српске Православне Цркве (@hram.tv) Patriarch Porfirije called on the faithful to attend the ceremonial farewell.&ldquo;We invite the faithful people to take part in this historical spiritual celebration in prayer and to wholeheartedly give thanks to the Mother of God and Her Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the great blessing with which they have covered the Serbian capital, our homeland, and the Orthodox Serbian people. Let us come to our votive church on Vračar to properly bid farewell to the great holy relic and to the highly venerable abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, Elder Ephraim, and his holy brotherhood,&rdquo; he said.Due to great interest, the stay of the relic in Belgrade was extended twice on the initiative of Patriarch Porfirije.

"This cannot be explained by statistics or logic": Ceremonial farewell to the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos

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