The 14th century legend about the Assumption of Saint Mary and the doubting Saint Thomas
The installation in the Museum of Icon in Supraśl / Poland
According to the legend, when it came time for Mary’s life on earth to end a message was sent to the Apostles to reunite at her bedside. All of them arrived promptly — except Thomas. In that time he was preaching the Gospel in India.
The story of Joseph of Arimathea says that the Apostle received the inner call to return to the West for the close departure of the Virgin Mary. Just as he had been separated from his brother apostles for a special mission, so he had some problems with coming back on time.
As a result he did not reach Gethsemane in time to be present at her going forth from the body, but only came there on foot the third day after her burial.
As he was approaching her tomb suddenly, he was amazed to see her radiant living body emerge from the stone sepulchre and ascend. Realizing that she had finished her span of life without his being present, and fearing that he would never see her divine form again, he cried out to her in sorrow, asking not to leave him. Looking upon him with loving tenderness, the Virgin took from her waist the belt she habitually wore and threw it down to him with words of blessing.
Now that was the doubting Saint Thomas, who carrying the precious belt hastened and announced to the grieving apostles and all those gathered in the Mother's house that she, too, was risen from the dead.
The belt or the girdle of Saint Thomas as it is called now is kept as a relic in the Prato Cathedral in Toscany.
How the girdle was housed in in the Agnolo Gaddi-frescoed chapel in the Cathedral in Prato is another story. All the details you can find here:
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