The Cincture of the Virgin Mary from Vatopedi Monastery

Historical Overview

The Cincture of the Holy Virgin is the sole relic from Her earthly life. According to tradition, the Holy Virgin herself crafted this belt from camel wool and handed it to the Apostle Thomas. For several centuries, it was safeguarded in Jerusalem. In the 4th century, Emperor Arcadius transported it to Constantinople and placed it in the Chalkoprateia Church.

Later, in 458 AD, during the reign of Emperor Leo I, the cincture was moved to the Vlachernae Church. In gratitude for her miraculous healing, Empress Zoe, the wife of Emperor Leo VI the Wise, embroidered the cincture with golden threads.

Today, the belt is partitioned into three sections. Records indicate that Emperor John VI, favoring the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, gifted a section of the cincture; another part was gifted by Serbian ruler Lazar I, and it's stored in the main church's altar.

Miraculous Events

The Cincture of the Virgin Mary has been attributed to numerous miracles. The Vatopedi Monastery provides the faithful, especially those suffering from infertility, with belts sanctified by the Cincture. During the annual celebrations on August 31, as well as on related feasts (July 2, October 1, and October 10), the cincture is transferred to the left side of the proskynetarion.

On the commemoration day of Saints Modestus and Tryphon, the sacred cincture participates in the procession.

Preservation of the Relic

The Cincture of the Holy Virgin is housed in an ornately adorned silver casket. The casket's lid captures the scene of the cincture being handed over to Apostle Thomas.