100% hand painted icon crafted in canvas on wood with the traditional method of the Byzantine hagiography with gold background.

Virgin Mary Agia Zoni (Holy Belt)

The only sacred relic with reference to the earthly presence of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Belt, is preserved (partly) in the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos. The Agia Zoni (Holy Belt) was woven by the Virgin Mary herself using camel hair. After the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the Agia Zoni (Holy Belt) was safely kept with devotion by two poor and pious women who took care of the Virgin Mary. The emperor Arcadius (395-408 AD) brought it to Constantinople and placed it in a reliquary naming it "Holy Remains".

The Empress Pulcheria, daughter of Arcadius, built a temple to store the Belt, which she even decorated with a golden thread. Over the years, the Belt was cut in pieces and some of them were transferred to several churches in Constantinople. After the Fall, only one piece of the belt arrived at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi by unknown carriers. According to tradition, John Katakouzinos VI brought it with him in 1354, and became a Monk after he resigned from his official position.

Virgin Mary Holy Belt - 100% handpainted wooden icon in canvas with gold background - Mount Athos