Vucic denies paying to bring Holy Virgin relic to Belgrade

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has officially refuted allegations suggesting that the government provided financial compensation to facilitate the transport of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary to Belgrade. The sacred relic, which was temporarily moved from a monastery on Mount Athos, drew significant public attention during its visit to the Serbian capital. Critics had previously speculated that state funds were utilized to secure the artifact's presence for religious ceremonies. In his response, Vucic dismissed these claims as unfounded, emphasizing that no public money was exchanged for the relic's arrival. The president maintained that the event was organized through ecclesiastical channels rather than government procurement. This clarification aims to address transparency concerns regarding the intersection of state affairs and religious activities in the country.

The statement addresses public skepticism regarding the potential misuse of state funds for religious events and clarifies the government's involvement in the transport of a high-profile spiritual artifact.