More than 16,000 pilgrims from different parts of Russia and other countries line up these days around the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow to worship one of the most revered Christian shrines, the Mother of God’s Belt. 

      The 4-kilometres queue spreads till the "Frunzenskaya" metro station, and people usually spend 12-15 hours in it, according to pilgrim hot-line employees. All they are looking forward to touch the shrine, which was brought to Russia from Mount Athos in Greece for the first time in the history and is believed to heal diseases and help women to conceive. More than 200,000 believers have already worshiped the shrine.

        Moscow authorities have prepared all that people could require. There are 102 buses standing through the queue's length where pilgrims can rest and warm themselves. There are also 16 field kitchens which serves hot cereal with stewed meat and tea for all comers. More than 15,000 police officers and a lot of medical ambulances secure safety of the pilgrims around the clock. There are also several psychological counselorson on duty, helping those people who are afraid of crowds.But not a single serious incident was reported for that time. 

      The miraculous belt which, according to legend, was made by the Mother of God of camel wood, now belongs to the Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. The belt was brought to Russia on October 20 and has already been shown in 14 Russian cities. 

Sources: Vesti.ru Gazeta.ru Image: Homepage

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