In order to understand how to use the rosary in Orthodoxy, it would be nice to know what the rosary is, why and who needs them, how long they have been used. Important questions: do you need the blessing of the spiritual father to use the rosary in prayers, which rosary is better to get and how to store them. And it’s just interesting to know in which religions the rosary is used, what they are or were, whether they are allowed to do them with their own hands. Let's try to answer these questions in this article.
What is a rosary?
The word "rosary" is formed from the old Russian "count", "read". Outwardly, they look like this: a cord closed in a ring on which objects (beads) are strung, plates or knots are tied. They are used in many beliefs: in Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism from II millennium BC. The oldest rosary found in India.
They came to Christianity in the IV century, introduced into practice by St. Pachomius. The rosary is of great importance in monasticism, they are handed to the monk at the tonsure, calling it a "spiritual sword." The monks do not part with the beads that help them strengthen the bond of the soul with the Lord.
Why do we need a rosary among Christians?
The purpose of the rosary is approximately the same in all religions of the world. Something like:
- Repeatedly repeated prayer is a symbol of faith, a person’s appeal to God, to saints and angels, expressed in petition, thanksgiving and praise. Often, prayer is accompanied by bows or other ritual activities. Thanks to the simplest counting device, which is a rosary, a believer can, sorting through beads, keep track of the perfect prayers or actions.
- Turning to the Lord requires the believer to have maximum concentration and concentration. The rosary helps to get together and not be distracted from prayer.
- The rosary, stored in an easily accessible place, on the wrist, belt, in the case, getting on the eyes, are a reminder of prayer. A cord connected in a ring symbolizes continuous prayer that serves to purify the soul.
- The use of beads allows you to maintain a certain rhythm by sorting beads. In some ritual activities, this is important.
- The beads in religion are endowed with symbolic meanings. In Orthodoxy, the rosary is a staircase from earth to heaven; beads are stones about which sinful thoughts are broken; the circle of rosaries is the fortress walls protecting the person. The rosary is a spiritual path that never ends.
- Each denomination of the rosary has its own distinctive signs, allowing to draw conclusions about the belonging of their owner to any religion or the degree of its preparation. There are such features in Orthodoxy. At present, only monks should use beads as a mandatory attribute. The laity, who were previously required to pray with the rosary in their hands, today are free from this, and rarely use this accessory.
Types of Orthodox rosary
In Orthodoxy, several variations of the rosary were used. Over time, new ones were added to them, and some became obsolete and a thing of the past. Orthodox rosary can be distinguished in appearance from the rosary of other faiths. For example, the rosary used in Catholicism has a different number of grains and their division into groups.
Orthodox prayer beads “backstroke” is one of the earliest options, used even in pre-split Russia. Later they were forced out of use by other species, but remained in use by the Old Believers. Lestovka, which means a staircase, is clear and resemble it with its appearance. Steps are fixed on it along the length, that is, loops, which are called barrels. They are located and divided in a specific system. Paper rolls with different prayers are laid inside the bobbin. The edges of the stairs are connected and sewn up with triangles, laposti or petals. Symbol of Faith - Prayer in different services may have different purposes. And because of this, different staircases were made: festive, everyday, wedding, funeral, and so on. Now genuine staircases can be seen very rarely: in photographs, at Old Believers or in museums. In Orthodoxy, at one time they were replaced by Vervitsa.
Vervitsa is a traditional kind of nodular rosary. It got its name from the word “rope”, since at first it did not close into a ring, but had the form of a belt with knots tied on it. Knitted whiskers at the junction of the edges ends with a brush or cross. This type is most often seen among Orthodox monks or parishioners. The very name "Vervitsa" has almost disappeared from everyday life, replaced by the general concept of "rosary".
How many beads can be in the rosary?
In classical Orthodox prayer beads, the number of beads can be dialed based on two principles. In the first case, there are 33 of them, which indicates the amount of Christ's earthly age. The most popular ones are those with a multiple of ten beads. In the monastic "spiritual sword" the number of beads is most often 100, but reaches up to a thousand.
Each ten beads is divided among themselves by a separator different from the main set. It can be a bead of a different size, or shape, or another object that will stand out by touch from the general row.
How to use the rosary in Orthodoxy?
On the rosary you can read any prayers. Reading a prayer is accompanied by a countdown of one bead after its completion.
For example, it is recommended that you turn to the Lord daily in this way: the main prayer is read ten times, after each time with your fingers it moves over the beads, one bead held between the thumb and forefinger. After the tenth time, the turn comes to the separator, which means it's time to read the prayer to the Virgin.
In prayer, do not forget to overshadow yourself with the sign of the Cross; the rosary can also help in this. At the end of the thread, "Our Father" is read. Combining the reading of prayers is possible based on each specific case.
How long should the prayer last?
The next question: “How long to pray with the rosary in Orthodoxy, how to make sure the prayer is sufficient?” Each person determines the duration of the prayer for himself. For the laity there is no indication. The main thing in turning to God is sincerity, and over time you can decide experimentally.
Conduct morning and evening prayers according to the needs of the soul, noticing for yourself how much time has gone by the clock, and how many times you have walked in a circle of beads. A comparison of these initial data will determine the further duration of your prayer.
What is the difference between purchased and self-made rosary?
A rosary purchased in a church shop is a sanctified item made taking into account all the rules applicable to Orthodox rosary. The needlewomen as a result will have a secular item (until it is consecrated in the temple). On the other hand, a thing made to your taste, vision, convenient specifically for your fingers, is more pleasant to hold in your hands.
As grains (beads), you can use knots on a rope and other objects pleasant for you. Most often round in shape, balls of a variety of materials. In ancient times, the first grains were even dried berries.
DIY rosary making
- You should decide on the size of your rosary. The smallest that put on a finger have ten beads. Thirty-three is the age of Christ. Fifty knots or beads symbolize Pentecost. Seventy grains is a reminder of the seventy apostles. A bead of one hundred beads is used by the monks.
- The required number of beads of the same size is prepared. For every nine pieces you need one separator - a bead of a larger or smaller size. A cord is also needed.
- The beads are assembled in a simple sequence: each bead is fixed on both sides by knots, and the assembled thread is connected to a ring and fixed with a brush or cross.
Rosary selection
Having understood how to use the rosary in Orthodoxy, it remains only to choose such a rosary that will be convenient and pleasant to hold in your hand for a long time. This is a very personal subject, it should only cause positive emotions. Verwitz needs to be held in his hands, sorting through the grains, to listen to his feelings.
It is most pleasant to hold a wooden product in your hands, which is why Orthodox prayer beads are most often made from this material. The beads quickly gain the energy of their owner, so only new products are suitable as a gift. An exception is the gift of a mentor to his student.