August 31

Our Lady of the Founders. Constantinople

Deposition of Our Lady's Girdle in Our Lady of Founders Church.

The Virgin of the Assumption with St Thomas Receiving the Girdle

1360s Tempera on panel, 205 x 112 cm

Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena

During the reign of Emperor Arkadios, this relic was found in a household in Jerusalem, and brought to Constantinople, where it was placed in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in place called the Chalkepratois. The Zone is associated with several miracles, including curing an incurable fatal disease from which Empress Zoe, the wife of Emperor Leo, was dying in 486. Later, Empress Pulcheria had gold threads sewn into the Zone. In 1101, the Zone was moved for safe-keeping to to the Monastery of Vatepedi on Mount Athos. (Source: George Poulos, Orthodox Saints, vol. 3).

Flower of the Day

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Symbolizes Our Lady's Girdle (sash)

Meadowsweet is referred to as Queen of the Meadow

It is known by many other names, and in Chauser's The Knight's Tale it is known as Meadwort and was one of the ingredients in a drink called "save." It was also known as Bridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings, and often made into bridal garlands. In Europe, it took its name "queen of the meadow" for the way it can dominate a low-lying, damp meadow. In the 16th century, when it was customary to strew floors with rushes and herbs (both to give warmth underfoot and to overcome smells and infections), it was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. She desired it above all other herbs in her chambers. (wiki)

The Virgin Mary’s Girdle was venerated as an aid to childbirth. Anne of Austria favored the shrine at La Puy, France where one of the virgin's girdles were preserved. This sash which she let fall to the earth at her Assumption was believed to quicken the womb. Anne’s devotions were fruitful. In 1638, after twenty-two years of barren marriage, she gave birth to the future Louis XIV. To show his gratitude at this long awaited miracle, Louis XIII dedicated the whole of France to the Virgin Mary.

http://www.tuscanypass.com/events_tuscany/event-details.html?eId=22445

http://www.comune.prato.it/civico/galleria/eng/cintola.htm

Ave Maria!