Solemn Vigil at the Vatopedi Monastery for the Agia Zonitranslated

The Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi celebrates today the feast of the deposition of the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos (BC), which has been kept as a precious Theotokos relic for centuries in the Monastery.

Mount Athos, Raphael Georgiadis

As part of the solemn celebrations, on the evening of the eve of the feast, the Solemn High Priestly Vespers was celebrated in the Catholic Church of the Monastery and the all-night vigil.

The solemn High Priestly Vespers was officiated by the Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos and Phanariofersalon, Mr. Timotheus, flanked by the Professor of the Vatopedi Monastery Elder Ephraim, representatives of hieromonks I.M. and cells, priests and deacons.

The Political Commander of Mount Athos, Mr. Alcibiades Stefanis, was also present among the faithful. The Metropolitan is accompanied by an echelon of the political and self-administrative leadership of his metropolitan region, consisting of members of parliament, deputy regional governors, mayors and municipal councilors, where coming to Mount Athos and the Vatopedi Monastery they were given the opportunity to talk with Elder Ephraim.

The Right Dance of the Psalmists is flanked by the Old Damascene of Nea Skitis with his entourage, while the left Dance is performed by Vatopedini...