Tens of thousands of Russians on Saturday queued outside Moscow’s cathedral to see one of the most treasured Orthodox relics as it neared the end of a month-long tour of the country.
The relic on loan from Greece, which believers venerate as the belt of the Virgin Mary, is believed to have miraculous powers to boost fertility, as Russia struggles to reverse a population decline.
Russian news agencies said some 30,000 pilgrims had been bussed into the capital from outlying regions, to wait for hours in snow and sleet outside the Christ the Saviour cathedral for the chance to get inside. The church doors remained closed as President Dmitry Medvedev’s wife Svetlana was given privileged access inside, an AFP photographer at the scene reported.
The relic, visiting Russia for the first time in its history, has toured the country since arriving in Saint Petersburg on Oct 20 from its home on Mount Athos in Greece Stops have included the northern city of Norilsk, the Pacific port of Vladivostok and the western exclave city of Kaliningrad.
(source: AFP)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
