Russians brave cold, snow to see holy belt of Mother of God in Moscow

[TempleofTheSoul]

Russians brave cold, snow to see holy belt of Mother of God in Moscow

According to a number of religious texts, Thomas the Apostle, or Doubting Thomas since he did not believe in the ascension of Christ until he touched Christ’s wounds, also doubted the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. It is said that she tossed her girdle, or what is now called a belt, that she had made from camel hair herself, to Thomas from above in order to make him believe that she had been lifted to heaven.

Today there are two parties that claim to possess the belt in its entirety: the Cathedral of Prato in Italy and the Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos in Greece. Despite the claims of both the cathedral and monastery, thousands of people come out to see both pieces when they are made available for viewings. In Italy, the belt can be seen five times per year: Easter, May 1, Aug. 15, Sept. 8 and Dec. 24. On Mt. Athos, viewings are limited only to men, so the current showing in Russia is quite special.

The shrine is said to have powers to cure barrenness and to promote good health.

LINK: photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/19/8903191-russians-brave-cold-snow-to-see-holy-belt-of-mother-of-god-in-moscow

God bless

 

[Equites_Christi]

Man…I mean call me hard of heart, but I have a really hard time believing the veracity of the relic.

The story about Thomas sounds like an appendix to the story about Christ’s wounds some pious grandmother would make up

 

[Madaglan]

The belt of the Theotokos was brought to Constantinople by the Empress Pulcheria at the end of the 4th century. it remained there until the 13th century when it became lost in the sacking of Constantinople. My understanding is that the belt in Vatopedi is a part of the belt, and not the complete belt… That’s what I read at least in a book on icons.

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

Man…I mean call me hard of heart, but I have a really hard time believing the veracity of the relic.

The story about Thomas sounds like an appendix to the story about Christ’s wounds some pious grandmother would make up

Yeah, until you start realizing that all of the biblical stories are just as ridiculous, they are simply more familiar.

A man in a flaming chariot that flies up in the sky; the Mother of God drop a belt as she ascends to the heavens.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

The relic in question was that portion of the garments of our Lady that was used in the confrontation of Patriarch St Photios with the armies of Asold and Dir of Rus’ in the ninth century.

St Photios dropped the belt into the water when the water became very disturbed and destroyed much of the Rus’ fleet of ships. Askold and Dir sued for peace, received baptism and negotiated the arrival of Sts Cyril and Methodius to Kyiv/Kiev.

In 867 (I believe that is correct) there was the first “baptism of Rus’” and the veneration of the Mantle of our Lady began there. This was short-lived with the death of Askold and Dir at the hands of the pagan reaction led by Oleg. St Olha built churches over the graves of Askold and Dir, in effect, canonizing them for local veneration as martyrs.

July 2 is the Blachernae feast where all this is commemorated.

Alex

 

[Volodymyr]

Waist Belt of Mother of God (Пояс Богородицы)

This relic came to Russia from Holy Mountain in time of snow - so if Russians go out - it will be in snow - whether to see holy belt or to go to visit friends - must “brave” snow as you say. Many thousands, however are going to see this Holy Belt. Here are photos of Holy Belt in special box when arrived in Mordovia where first arrived in Saransk.

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