Virgin Mary relic displayed in Moscow
November 24th, 2011 - 6:10 am ICT by IANSMoscow, Nov 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A belt believed to have belonged to the Virgin Mary is on display at Moscow’s Christ the Savior cathedral and is drawing huge crowds.
Around 50,000-60,000 people gathered to have a look Wednesday. About 300,000 people have already seen the relic brought to Russia from Mount Athos in Greece for the first time in history. It has been on display in the cathedral since Nov 19 and will remain there till Sunday.
“The average waiting time is 24 hours,” a church spokesman said Wednesday.
Believers from all over Russia, as well as from other former Soviet states, have poured into Moscow to see the belt. They are being given free meals and tea as they wait.
Over 1,500 policemen, two patrol boats and 25 ambulance cars are on duty to help the believers. Around 50 people have been taken to hospital since Nov 19.
Believers say the Virgin Mary wove the belt out of camel wool and wore it until the end of her earthly days, when she passed the belt on to the apostle Thomas.
The relic belongs to the Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. The belt was brought to Russia Oct 20 and has already been shown in many Russian cities.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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