By Bishop Gregory of Mesaoria
Our Church today honors Theotokos and the faithful seek Her Grace through the veneration of the Holy Belt.
This is yet another celebration of the sacred event of Deposition the Holy Belt (Agia Zoni) of Virgin Mary. The term “deposition” refers to the transfer of Holy Belt of Theotokos to the Church of Virgin Mary of Hakopratia, Constantinople.
This miraculous event dates back to the year 395, when the son of Theodosios the Great, Arcadius, was Emperor. Along with the event of the deposition, the great Miracle that took place 410 years after this sacred act, is celebrated, i.e. the healing of Zoe Zaoutsi, wife of Emperor Leo 6th the Wise, achieved with the opening of the reliquary called “Agia Soros” and the placement of the Holy Zone on the ailing queen.
The Holy Belt, which had been captured by a Bulgarian invasion, was dedicated in 1101 by the King of Serbs Lazaro to the Vatopedi Monastery, where it has been treasured to this day.
Today, with the celebration of the Deposition of the Holy Belt of Virgin Mary, there concludes the Ecclesiastical year.