How to use Orthodox rosaries and their meaning

Rosary beads, as an auxiliary tool for turning to God, exist in every religion in the world. They can be of various colors and textures, old and newfangled. But they have one purpose - each bead means a specific prayer.

Initially, to read the required amount of sacred text, natural materials suitable for fingering were used - pebbles, seeds or plant bones. The creator of the rosary, the prototype of the current ones, is the founder of the schema school, Pachomius the Great.

A monk living in the 4th century noticed that most novices were illiterate and could not read the prayer without a book, and to make it easier to remember the text and the number of bows, he suggested tying a knot on a piece of simple rope.

Later, with the development of the monastic movement, wooden blocks began to be strung on a thread. Since then, the rosary has been a protection against demonic attack, a spiritual sword, and is given to the novice when he is tonsured a monk.

The meaning of rosaries for Orthodox Christians

Modern Orthodox Christians serve rosaries in the same way as they served their spiritual ancestors:

• A cord with beads will help you turn to God at any time. A reminder of continuous prayer with a sequence of words and actions.
• Maintaining attention and concentration. The tactile sensation of the beads helps the believer maintain the direction of the text.
• The rhythmic fingering of the rosary sets a certain pace and does not allow one to deviate from the prayer.
• Carrying a rosary with you allows you to turn to God anywhere.
• By the shape and number of beads, one can determine the degree of the owner’s affiliation with the faith and his hierarchical level.
• Blessed rosaries are endowed with the ability to heal diseases.
• The configuration of the rosary is a circle, which symbolizes infinity and, with due diligence, the opportunity to touch eternal spiritual life.

For a true believer, the correct use of rosaries with the reading of prayers, if it is impossible to visit the temple, replaces church services.

Additional instructions

It is necessary to distribute the number of bows to each person so that the total is 50. For example, for the Savior - 30, for the Mother of God - 15, and for other saints - 5.

• The main (Jesus) prayer, while fingering the Orthodox rosary, should be said as if automatically, without tension in the mind. A person trained in this matter pronounces praises at any time, working or resting. The remaining prayers should also be repeated an infinite number of times.
• The main condition is to always remember that the Lord sees every action, therefore an Orthodox believer must behave with dignity.
• The lower the bows are made, the more a person will receive. Hard work has a higher price.
• It is not necessary to touch the ground with your hand. Another is applying to holy icons during the performance of appropriate praises and petitions.
• An ideal prostration should end with a full straightening of the back. The more deep and unhurried they are, the greater the work done in the name of the Almighty.

More about Orthodox prayer:

• How to pray correctly for Orthodox Christians
• How to Pray for God to Hear
• How to pray for the unbaptized

Rosaries can be purchased on the SVYATSY website - an online store of Orthodox goods.

Number of beads on Orthodox rosary

Modern rosary beads for Orthodox Christians are a closed chain of beads, most often strung on a woolen thread. How many should there be? The quantity varies, from ten to one hundred, or they contain 33 peas, according to the number of earthly years of the Savior.

Every ten beads serve as a reminder of the commandments of Christ and are separated by balls of different texture or size. This allows you to completely immerse yourself in prayer without getting lost in counting. The rosary is crowned with an Orthodox cross with the image of Christ, which reminds of humility and the call to perform spiritual deeds for good. Sometimes under the cross of Christ there is a thread tassel, which priests use to sprinkle holy water.

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14 beads Each bead symbolizes 14 “shields” with which the Bodhisattva Guanyin endows all living things

1. Reflection of Buddha nature in all living things, the ability to renounce everything worldly and throw off the bonds of worldly vanity; 2. Protection from fire, when fire flares up around, but cannot burn; 3. Protection from water, when you can float on water, but cannot drown; 4. Protection from spirits, when all the evil sent by spirits turns against them; 5. Protection from injuries, when the knife that strikes is more likely to break than to harm a living creature; 6. The divine light of the Buddha, which does not allow one to lean towards the side of evil, since everything evil brings harm; 7. The ability to see falsehood and lies, which dull hearing and cloud consciousness; 8. Protection on the road, so that on any thorny path all obstacles disappear, and even a thief, if he wanted to rob, would not be able to do this; 9. Protection from debauchery and lust, maintaining purity; 10. Protection from vindictive people who want to cause harm; 11. Surrounding yourself with kind and decent people, keeping away from stupid and immoral people; 12. Help for childless families who want a son; 13. Help to childless families who want a daughter to be born; 14. The ability to do many good deeds, thereby honoring the goddess Guanyin.

18 beads

Symbolize all types of human perception of the universe

The number 18 comes from the six senses (taste, sight, hearing, smell, touch, consciousness), each having three manifestations: pleasant, unpleasant and neutral. Thus, there are 18 types of sensations in total.

21 beads

The number 21 denotes the 21 stages of becoming a Buddha: 10 stages of the ascension of a bodhisattva, 10 circles of rebirth and one highest stage - becoming a Buddha

Differences in Christian and Muslim rosaries

Muslim rosary. The main feature of Christian rosaries is the presence of a cross at the ends of the threads.
Therefore, it is quite easy to distinguish Orthodox rosaries from Muslim ones. In addition, there are 11 beads in a Muslim rosary link, according to the writings of the Prophet Muhammad. Accordingly, the total number of beads can range from 11 to 99 pieces, according to the number of names of Allah.

If Orthodox rosaries are most often made of wood, then Muslim products are made of glass and semi-precious stones. They are usually strung on a silk thread. Often prayer beads for Muslims look like a work of art and amaze with their luxury. The junction of the thread is decorated with a brush, a crescent or a family talisman.

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The number 42 symbolizes the levels of transformation of a bodhisattva into a Buddha:

10 degrees of ascension of a bodhisattva, 10 kinds of good deeds on the path of improvement, 10 acquired graces, 10 stages of ascent of a bodhisattva, one stage of insight of a bodhisattva, who was one step away from the Buddha, and, finally, the stage of miraculous insight at which a bodhisattva became a Buddha.

The stage of insight of a bodhisattva, which was one stage away from the Buddha, is also called the stage of “true insight.” It is believed that at this stage the bodhisattva has already received all the necessary knowledge of the Buddha, but still, before fully becoming a Buddha, he needs to rise one more stage higher. And the bodhisattva rises to the highest level of “miraculous insight” when he cuts off all acquired knowledge from himself, thereby receiving the light of true insight.

54 beads

How to pray the rosary correctly

There are no strict rules or special prayers using rosaries. Each layman himself determines the order of prayer, the main thing is that the prayer comes from the heart and soul with all sincerity. If the mind of a lay person is occupied by spiritual anxiety for a loved one, prayers for the health, peace or health of the sick person will help.

However, there is a generally accepted church practice that guides the correct combination of prayer and rosary.

Each bead on a religious attribute symbolizes a prayer for Jesus Christ. Holding the first bead with his thumb and forefinger, the parishioner reads the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” or the prayer to the Mother of God: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us.”

Having reached the dividing ball, the layman says “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice” or “It is worthy to eat”, the Creed or the Fiftieth Psalm. You can add a prayer to the Guardian Angel, your saint, and do not forget to make the sign of the cross.

At the end of the entire thread of the rosary, the main prayer of all Christianity, “Our Father,” is read.

Repeated prayer helps to delve deeper into the meaning and provides the opportunity to contact the Lord.

In order not to be distracted from reading the prayer, the believer needs to take a comfortable position of the body and focus attention. Only with complete dedication to prayer can one receive joy and peace from closeness with the Lord.

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Classification

In the Eastern Christian tradition, there are two types of this religious attribute. The number of grains is usually a multiple of 10 (10, 30, 40, 50, 100 or 1000)

1. The most ancient lestovki are considered primordially Orthodox rosaries. These days they are rarely used. Their origin is connected with vervitsa (a simple Byzantine rope) with knots formed on it. The term “ladder” symbolizes the staircase to the Heavenly abode. Such rosaries do not look like beads, but like a leather belt, along the length of which there are wide loops (bobbins). To learn how to use this Old Believer attribute, you should carefully study its structure. Prayerful praises here are briefly worded and addressed to the Savior, the Virgin Mary and other saints.
2. The rosary is a modern form, characterized by conciseness and simplicity, they are extremely common in the Orthodox tradition. The idea of ​​​​popularizing these rosaries in Russia belongs to Seraphim of Sarov, who introduced the Mother of God rule of reading. On each individual bead the corresponding prayer is read.

Vervitsa - the oldest type of rosary

Is it necessary to take a blessing?

The Church does not strictly prohibit the use of rosaries by a lay person, so use without an individual blessing is permissible. However, a sincere and deeply religious person should turn to a priest for permission and guidance to use the rosary.

A clergyman, observing the life of a layman and listening to confession, himself determines how important solitary prayer with the rosary is for an Orthodox Christian. The one who wants to save his soul will sooner receive blessings, but the person looking for fun will be denied.

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How to make Orthodox rosary with your own hands

Making rosary beads for yourself is quite simple. First, you need to determine what material they will be made of, because such an individual object of religion accumulates the power of faith and has a strong energy field that can calm a person and bring him into peace of mind.

The simplest option for making rosary beads is a regular cord with knots tied on it.

The number of nodes will mean:

• You can make your own rosary. Thirty and three dividing beads - the age of Christ.
• Fifty knots symbolize Pentecost.
• The seventy knots are reminiscent of the seventy apostles.
• A rosary of one hundred knots is a classic option for monks.

Also, an easy way is to make rosary beads from ready-made beads of different sizes and woolen thread purchased at a craft store. After each ball is strung, a knot is tied on the thread. The completed chain is decorated with a brush.

Beads for rosaries are made of glass, stone or amber. But most often they use natural wood. The warm texture of wood can give vital energy, protect against evil spirits and negativity, teach patience and meekness and provide enlightenment of the mind.

To make the product you will need:

• Beading thread or thin fishing line.
• A block of selected wood.
• Drill with a thin drill bit for wood.
• Sandpaper, finely cut file.
• Varnish or stain for coating the finished product.
• Cross.
• Jigsaw.

It is recommended to use gloves to protect your hands.

First, you should think about how many beads will be in the rosary. Procedure:

• Beads are strung on a thread. Markings are made on a wooden block in accordance with the intended number of beads.
• The workpiece is sawn into pieces.
• A hole is drilled in the center of each element.
• The shape is shaped with a file, and the splinters are polished with sanding paper. You should remember about the dividing balls, they should differ in size.
• The blanks are varnished.
• The dried beads are put on a thread or fishing line, alternating with separating balls every ten beads. At the end a cross is added.
• The finished thread is secured with a knot.

To make it easier to sort through the beads, it is advisable to leave a small gap between the beads.

Whatever the rosary is made of, it is important to remember that they are a personal amulet and provide peace of mind when combined with prayer coming from the heart.