# Orthodox Church commemoration of the Holy Belt

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/orthodox-church-commemoration-of-the-holy-belt
> Updated: 2026-09-13T04:40:00.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 3.

The Orthodox Church observes the feast of the Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary on August 31. Religious tradition holds that the relic was entrusted to the Apostle Thomas and later moved from Jerusalem to Constantinople during the 5th century, where it was historically kept in a golden reliquary known as the ‘Agia Soros’. 

Historical accounts mention a 10th-century miracle where Empress Zoe was reportedly healed by the relic, a connection linked to Byzantine emperors Arcadius and Leo VI the Wise. Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, fragments of the belt were dispersed, with significant portions preserved at the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.

In Greece, the feast is marked by local celebrations, such as the Great Panegyric Vespers at the Panagia Lykourissi Monastery in Skutera, Agrinio. In Serbian tradition, the feast is particularly observed by women, who often pray for fertility and ease in childbirth. The Serbian Orthodox Church also uses this period to commemorate the Holy Martyrs of Jasenovac, honoring the hundreds of thousands who perished during World War II.

The feast day also commemorates Saint Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, and honors the martyrs of Nicomedia, marking the conclusion of the liturgical month of August.

## Claims

- The Orthodox Church commemorates the Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary on August 31. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The Church also commemorates the holy Martyrs of Nicomedia on this day. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Holy Belt was transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The transfer of the Belt is attributed to either Emperor Arcadius or Theodosius II. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The only remaining part of the Holy Belt is kept at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- On August 31, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Placing of the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Holy Belt was entrusted to the Apostle Thomas by the Mother of God following her Assumption. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Orthodox Church also commemorates Saint Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, on August 31. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Holy Belt was moved from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the 5th century during the reign of Arcadius. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Byzantine Empress Zoe was reportedly healed of a mental illness after the Holy Belt was laid upon her in the 10th century. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Saint Aidan, whose feast day is observed on August 31, lived in Britain. (single source)
- Saint Cyprian was ordained as Bishop of Carthage between 248 and 249 AD. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-13: Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Placement of the Mother of God's Belt

The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the Placement of the Belt of the Mother of God and commemorates the Holy Martyrs of Jasenovac.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbian-orthodox-church-celebrates-placement-of-the-mother-of-gods-belt

### 2026-08-30: Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Belt of Mother of God and Saint Cyprian

The Orthodox Church commemorates the Placing of the Holy Belt of the Mother of God and the memory of Saint Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, on August 31.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orthodox-church-commemorates-holy-belt-of-mother-of-god-and-saint-cyprian

### 2026-08-30: Orthodox Church commemorates the Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary on August 31, honoring a sacred relic preserved at Mount Athos and marking the end of the liturgical month of August.

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orthodox-church-commemorates-deposition-of-the-holy-belt

---
Cite as: Orthodox Church commemoration of the Holy Belt. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/orthodox-church-commemoration-of-the-holy-belt