Over one million pilgrims visited the Church of Saint Sava to see a centuries‑old relic of the Virgin Mary, sparking a wave of religious tourism and highlighting the cathedral's cultural significance.
In recent weeks the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade has become a pilgrimage magnet, drawing more than one million visitors to view a treasured relic of the Virgin Mary - a fragment of the belt she is said to have fashioned and worn during her pregnancy with Jesus.
The relic, normally safeguarded on the holy mountain of Athos in Greece, was transported to Serbia for the first time in centuries, allowing believers to see it around the clock for several consecutive weeks. Serbian officials, including Minister of European Integration Nemanja Stavorich, highlighted the historic significance of the return, noting that the belt had not been present in Serbia for roughly 650 years.
Božidar Lijeskić, a senior cleric at the cathedral, described the relic as one of the most venerated possessions of Mount Athos, underscoring its spiritual value to the Orthodox faithful. The surge of pilgrims coincided with a high‑profile visit by international media, which also managed to secure an interview with President Aleksandar Vučić.
During the conversation Vučić praised U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him pragmatic, rational and the most popular American politician in Serbia, a remark that later appeared on Trump's Truth Social platform. After the interview, officials escorted the journalists on a private tour of the cathedral, offering an up‑close look at the belt and explaining the significance of the monument's architecture.
Built over more than a century, Saint Sava's cathedral was conceived as a national emblem, intended to rival historic sites such as Constantinople's Hagia Sophia. Its massive bronze doors are engraved with prayers in twenty‑four languages, a design meant to greet every visitor with a sense of welcome and spiritual warmth. The guide also recounted the life of Saint Sava, the church's namesake and a pivotal figure in Serbian religious and cultural history.
Born in 1175 to a Serbian royal family, Sava renounced his claim to the throne to pursue monastic life on Mount Athos, following Russian Orthodox monks. His decision set a precedent for humility and service, inspiring his father to eventually relinquish power as well. Upon returning to Serbia, Saint Sava played a critical role in averting civil strife that threatened to erupt after a contested succession.
He introduced the first hospitals, schools, churches, and monasteries, laying the foundations for a Serbian educational system that would gain recognition throughout the medieval world. Today, he is celebrated as the nation's greatest enlightener and spiritual patriarch, a legacy that continues to draw reverence and curiosity from both locals and international visitors alike
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