Moscow will see the Cincture of the Blessed Virgin Mary this Saturday in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. For the past 200 years it has been kept the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Vateopedi on Mount Athos and has never been taken abroad. 

      Traditionally, at the time of her Dormition the Theotokos was buried by the Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem. Three days later it was found that her body was missing. Then the Virgin Mary appeared and gave her sash to St. Thomas the Apostle. According to the legend the cincture was made by the Virgin Mary herself, out of camelhair.

      It is considered that the relic helps infertile women and cures people of different diseases.

      The cincture will be taken to Moscow from Kaliningrad and stay until November 27.

      Twenty-four-hour access is going to be organized so that all comer can visit the shrine.

      The address of the Cathedral: 15, Volkhonka street, “Kropotkinskaya” metro station.  

      Sources: the Moscow Post, Pravmir, Wikipedia. Image courtesy: Sterlegrad.