Patras, November 8, 2016
Thousands of faithful in the city of Patras greeted a relic of the Athonite monastery of Vatopedi, the Belt of the Theotokos, reports Agion Oros.
The huge procession with the Belt of the Theotokos was accompanied by several military and civilian bands, as well as an honor guard.
In front of the cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called the clergy and people together sang the Greek national anthem.
According to Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, it was a “great honor and blessing” for the residents of the city to receive such a relic in such difficult times for Greece and all of Orthodoxy.
Accompanying the Belt of the Theotokos, the abbot of Vatopedi, Archimandrite Ephraim noted that “the Theotokos performs miracles and is bringing the people comfort and a blessing.”
The Athonite relic will remain in the cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called until November 9.
The flood of faithful desiring to venerate the Belt of the Theotokos has not dried up.
