Pasovdanska litija: The hand of St. Sava at the head of the procession in Belgrade

The relics of Saint Sava, i.e. the hand of the saint from Mileseva, arrived on Wednesday in the Ascension Temple in Belgrade and today (Thursday, May 29) will be part of Spasovdanski litia which will be led by the Serbian patriarch Porphyry.

That is, as stated in the announcement of the Serbian Orthodox Church: this year's baptismal procession, which has been passing through the streets of the Serbian capital since 1862, will be led by the hand and scepter of Saint Sava, "together with his successor, Patriarch Porphyry."

On the Feast of the Ascension itself, on Thursday, May 29, starting at 9 a.m., Patriarch Porphyry will lead the Liturgy in the Church of the Ascension next to the Saint's relics and with the concelebration of several bishops and clergy.

The Patriarch will then, at 12 o'clock, in the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, perform the act of blessing the Slavic gifts.

Route of the Spasovdan procession

Spasovdanska litija will move from the intersection of Kneza Miloša and Kralja Milan streets to the Svetosava temple in Vračar.

In addition to the leaders of the Serbian Church, bishops, clergy, monks and a large number of God-loving souls, representatives of the republic and city authorities, members of the Serbian Army, Gendarmerie, police orchestra, members of singing and folklore societies, pupils and students will participate in the procession.

The relics of Saint Sava will be displayed in his temple on Vračar for worship and kissing by believers and in the following days with daily services.

The legend about the hand of Saint Sava

It was not known for a long time that there were relics of Saint Sava that survived the year 1594, when the Turks burned the saint's body in Vračar, and according to tradition, the relics were preserved by monks who separated Saint Sava's left hand from the body and hid it, reports RTS.

During more than 400 years of hiding, the saint's relics changed places, and since 2007 they have been in the Mileševa monastery.

Vladimir Vukašinović, a professor at the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade, told RTS that it was no coincidence that the hand survived, because "the hand of a saint serves only good".

"With our hands we make peace when we shake hands, with our hands we hug those we love. With our hands we benevolently show the way to those who are lost - momentarily or permanently," said the priest.

The intention, he explains, is for St. Sava to reconcile with his hand, embrace and show the way to Serbian society. It is said that the little finger is missing from the hand, which is kept in Bulgaria, in the Monastery of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Source: FoNet/RTS/Danas