Sermon: The Belt of the Theotokos
From ages past the Orthodox Church has had the tradition of reverencing the relics of saints. We have feasts commemorating the transfer of saints’ relics from one place to another. We even celebrate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd findings of the head of St. John the Baptist who is the greatest of saints. Christ himself said concerning St. John the Baptist, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. He sits at the left hand of Christ in the Kingdom of heaven, which is why in every Orthodox church he holds this position on the templon. But there is one greater than him who sits on the right hand of Christ. And it is a woman. Those who think that the Orthodox Church is misogynistic should take note that the one who is more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim is God’s All-Holy Mother. I called John the Baptist the greatest saint because the Παναγία as she is called in Greek, is not even a saint. The word “saint” comes from the Latin word Sanctus, which in Greek is Ἅγιος or “Holy”. The Theotokos is also commonly referred to as Παν-αγία or “All-Holy”. We never refer to her as St. Mary because this is beneath her.
In any event, when the Theotokos reposed, her body was assumed into heaven by her Son and our God, Christ Himself. This was discovered by the Apostle Thomas on the third day after her repose During her ascension into Heaven, she gave her Holy Belt to the Apostle Thomas and it was reverenced by all Christians since that time. The belt of the Theotokos, a simple article of clothing, due to the fact that it was worn by the Theotokos is full of the Grace of God which dwelt in her because she wore it 2,000 years ago. This Belt which is now in the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mt. Athos, together with her sash and veil are the only articles that survive from her earthly life.
The Holy Belt, according to tradition, was made by the Theotokos herself with camel hair. The Empress Zoe, wife of Leo the Wise, out of gratitude for being miraculously cured by Panagia, embroidered the Belt with gold thread, as it is found today, but divided in three pieces. Originally it was being kept in Jerusalem and later in Constantinople. There during the 12th century under Emperor Manuel I Komninos (1143-1180) an official holiday for the Belt was established on August 31st, that is, today according to the Orthodox calendar. In the end, Emperor John Katakouzinos (1347-1355), who had a special love for the Monastery of Vatopedi, donated the Belt to the Monastery. Since then the Holy Belt is kept at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, in a silver case.
Many miracles have been worked by the Grace of God which dwells in the belt. Its value is priceless because it was worn by Panagia. The Saints are Spirit-bearers during not only during their life, but also after their death and for this reason their relics or in this case Panagia’s belt pours forth the Grace of God which dwelt in her. The same Grace-bearing phenomenon is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures with such things as the mantle of the Prophet Elias, the handkerchief of St. Paul and even the shadow of St. Peter which actually performed miracles, because they had the Grace of God which dwelt in the Saints. For this reason the Church attributes the Belt of the Theotokos honorary worship, as it does to the Holy Wood of the Cross of the Lord.
The Holy Belt has the unique grace to cure women\'s sterility as well as cancer patients, with a ribbon that has first been blessed on the Belt and is subsequently worn by the sterile women and patients.
Through the prayers of the All-Holy Theotokos may Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen