Characteristics
Dimensions: 2,5х2,5 cm
Length with tassel: 8 cm
Weight: ~3 gr
Beads volume: ~9 mm
Base: metal links
Material: Tears of Virgin Mary, seed beads
Tassel: rayon
Legend of the Tears of Virgin Mary
"Tears of Virgin Mary" is a unique plant that doesn't grow anywhere else in the world except Mount Athos. Its grains are harvested by the monks of Mount Athos and then used to weave prayer ropes and bracelets.
There is a legend connected with the plant: once upon a time a monk of the skete of St. Anne tried to learn how to weave prayer ropes; the skill was in no way given to him, and therefore he fell into despondency. The monk sat down on the ground and wept. At that moment, the Mother of God herself appeared before him and asked why he was so saddened. The monk told how he had been trying for a long time to master the skill of prayer rope weaving, but no matter how much he tried he could not master it. Then the Mother of God offered him her tears, which she sheds for the monks, in order to plant them in the ground. From her tears a plant grew, the seeds of which could simply be strung on a rope. To this day, monks of Mount Athos grow the Tears of Virgin Mary, using grains to make prayer ropes, bracelets and other handicrafts, which are woven with unceasing prayer and for prayer.
Orthodox cross: history and symbolism
The Orthodox Church honors the Cross as a great relic symbolizing the redemption of the human race. The honorable Cross of the Lord for the Christian faith is the highest symbol of sacrifice and sanctification, and therefore its significance is truly invaluable. The Cross and the Resurrection are the two main axes of Christianity: the Resurrection follows the Cross and implies the Cross, and the Cross predicts the Resurrection.
Before Christ was crucified for our sins, anyone who died through crucifixion was considered damned. After Jesus died on the cross, it became a symbol of redemption. From an instrument of death the cross became an eternal source of life, from a horrible instrument of execution it turned into a light and blessed sign.
This paradox and great change came about because immeasurable divine love and mercy did not avenge human ignorance and evil. The all-redeeming divine love leaves no room for hatred, anger, and malice. God as absolute love, instead of vengeance, had mercy on mankind, giving redemption from the bitter bonds of sin and evil, giving mankind eternal life. After the crucifixion, the cross became associated with the Lord Jesus Christ, drawing from Him its invincible power, sanctification and grace. That is why the worship of Christians to the Cross is not idolatry; it is the worship of Christ Himself. Christians proudly wear the cross in memory of the great atoning sacrifice and as an effective bulwark against evil.
The honorable Cross of the Lord is the unifying force of mankind. The two crossbars of the Cross symbolize the union of men with God (the vertical crossbar) and the union of men with one another (the horizontal crossbar). The last one also symbolizes the two arms of the Crucified Savior, which are open to embrace all mankind.
Life-giving Cross prayer
May God be resurrected, and His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His face. As the smoke disappears, let it disappear; As the wax melts away from the face of the fire, so will the demons from the face of those who love God and sign the sign of the cross, and in the joy of the verbs: Rejoice, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Lord’s Cross, cast out demons by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ upon you, come to hell to the devil, and who gave us His Cross to Honest you to drive away every foe. O Honorable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Virgin Lady, and with all the saints for ever. Amen".
The short text of the prayer to the life-giving cross is as follows: "Protect me, O Lord, with the power of the Honorable and Life-Giving of Your Cross, and save me from all evil.
