The feast day of the Holy Cincture of the All-Holy Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was celebrated with centuries-old Athonite rite and splendor on over the weekend at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, on Mount Athos.
The Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Stavronikita, the Elder Archimandrite Tichon, presided over the services.
On Sunday morning, before the Divine Liturgy, the Elder Tichon officiated at a blessing ceremony, followed by a litany of the Holy Cincture within the monastery’s walls.
The Elder Tichon also read out a special supplication towards the Holy Cincture for deliverance from and an end to the pandemic.
The Elder was greeted and welcomed at the main gate of the monastery by the Elder Archimandrite Ephraim, the Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, along with the brotherhood of Vatopedi monks.
