Holy Relic of the True Cross to arrive in Belgrade

A portion of the Holy Cross of the Lord, a gift from Prince Lazar to the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, is expected to arrive in Belgrade soon. The announcement was made during an online discussion between Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Archimandrite Efrem, the iguman of Vatopedi Monastery.

The relic is highly significant in Christian tradition, representing a piece of the wood upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. Historical records suggest that Saint Sava brought a portion of the cross to Hilandar in the 13th century. The piece currently held at Vatopedi is housed in a silver casket, decorated with gold, semi-precious stones, and pearls.

This visit follows the arrival of the Holy Belt of the Mother of God from the same monastery earlier this year, an event that drew over 1.1 million believers to the Temple of Saint Sava.