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The bracelet is handmade. It consists of small knots, into which two seed bead inserts are woven. The bracelet also contains a sterling silver icon depicting Mother of God "Gorgoepikoos", which makes it not just a piece of jewelry, but a Christian symbol of faith. Thanks to a special braiding technique, the bracelet can be easily stretched by increasing the distance between the knots. This means it's is suitable for all wrist sizes.
Komboskini bracelets
Greek komboskini bracelets are woven by the monks of the Mount Athos monasteries with prayer and for prayer. The name of the bracelet reflects its essence and purpose: in Greek, kombos (κόμπος) means "knot", and skini (σχοινί) is a rope or cord.
The weaving of the komboskini bracelets is always accompanied by continuous prayer. Tying each knot, the monk says: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." Due to this, Greeks believe that komboskini bracelet protects the person who wears it. But the bracelets also have a more practical use: like prayer ropes, they are used by the prayers to go through the knots and thus count the number of prayers uttered.
Bracelets are braided in a special way: each knot consists of 9 crosses of cord, symbolizing the nine crosses, or nine angelic ranks. Often seed beads, little crosses or icons are woven into the bracelet. Komboskini bracelets are usually worn on the wrist of the left hand, as it's closer to the heart. Believers often give such bracelets to their family and friends to remember and pray for them.
Mother of God Gorgoepikoos
The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Gorgoepikoos" is kept in the Docheiariou Monastery on Mount Athos. There is a legend of the XVII century connected with it: in 1664 the monk of the monastery passed by the icon with a lighted candle. The candle's vapor was rising to the image. Suddenly a voice came from the icon:
"No more passing by here with a lighted candle, smoking my image."
The monk heard the voice, but could not identify its source, so he did not heed it and continued to walk past the icon with candle. Several days passed. One evening he heard the voice from the icon again:
"For how long will you smoke my image with impunity?"
In that same second, the light in his eyes faded. He realized that he had disobeyed the very decree of the Mother of God. In despair, realizing the justice of his punishment, he prayed incessantly at the icon, begging the Mother of God to grant him forgiveness. She soon answered to his prayers:
"I am the mistress of this monastery, and therefore I soon answer the requests of those who cry out to me."
After this, the trapezary regained his lost sight, and the icon of the Mother of God became known as Gorgoepikoos (Quick To Hear). The icon revealed many more miracles, not only to the monks of the Holy Mountain, but also beyond its borders. The icon presented offspring to infertile couples, helped sailors in a storm, healed the paralyzed, cured the blind and the hopelessly ill. The records of Nicodemus the Hagiorite attest to this.
After the described miracle, a special chapel was erected for the icon, where it is kept to this day. The annual feast of the Gorgoepikoos icon is celebrated on October 1.
Characteristics
Length: 17 cm
Weight: ~3 gr
Beads volume: ~3,5 mm
Material: weaving cord, seed beads, sterling silver
