Orthodox Calendar: September 13 — The Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Most Pure Mother of Godtranslated

Fifteenth Week After Pentecost.

Today, September 13, 2026, the Orthodox Church commemorates: - The Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Most Pure Mother of God (395-408); - Blessed Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage (258); - Saint John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (471); - The Martyrs of Jasenovac (1941-1944) [Serbian]; - Presbyter Alexander and Deacon Vladimir (1918); - Presbyter Michael and Presbyter Miron (1937); - Presbyter Dimitry (1938).

There is no fast today.

The deposition of the holy belt of the Most Pure Mother of God in the Constantinopolitan Vlahernon Church took place during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408). Before that, this great sanctuary, entrusted by the Blessed Virgin to Apostle Thomas Himself, was kept with reverence by pious Christians in Jerusalem after Her Dormition and Ascension. Many years later, during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise (886-911), a miracle of healing occurred through the belt of the Mother of God for Empress Zoe, who was suffering from an unclean spirit.

The empress had a vision that she would be healed when the holy belt of the Mother of God was placed upon her. The emperor approached the Patriarch with his request. The patriarch removed the seal and opened the casket containing the sanctuary: the belt of the Mother of God appeared completely intact, undamaged by time. The patriarch…