Often in the catalog of modern jewelry a church bracelet is presented, made of precious metals, precious stones, wood, textiles, plastic. Wrist jewelry harmoniously fulfills its main functions: it satisfies a person’s needs for beauty, reminding of God and the main religious commandments. In addition, church products have long been classified as amulets and talismans: they protect people and help them in difficult times of life.
A bit of history
If you carefully study the history of the Old Testament, you can see that the Jews had a tradition - to wear phylactery (Thelima). They were a small leather box in which the texts of prayers were kept. While reading the scripture, a Jew put one of these boxes on his forehead, another on his left hand. The ancient tradition that appeared during the time of the prophet Moses is observed by many modern Jews.
In the New Testament, this rite has lost its Christian meaning. However, he was replaced by another religious paraphernalia: body crosses, small pendant icons and a church bracelet. People believe that church items protect against evil spirits. In addition, in a modern design they look beautiful, worthily and advantageously emphasize the status of their owner.
Varieties
They make a church bracelet on a hand from various materials: plastic, metal, leather, wood, textile.
- In most cases, plastic religious decorations look "simple", but their service life is quite long. A skilled craftsman can give such an inexpensive product a decent look, complementing it with various details.
- A church bracelet made of fabric is often made in the form of knots with the image of small icons. It is similar to beads and has an original, attractive appearance. However, such an ornament quickly breaks when worn daily, so he repeatedly has to look for a replacement.
- Wooden religious decorations look very worthy if they are made from expensive, exotic woods. These church bracelets are decorated with carvings, which makes them especially attractive. But wooden decorations are very sensitive to water: they get soaked and deteriorate upon contact.
- A metal church bracelet is often made of silver, brass. But in jewelry stores you can find options made of gold. Such religious paraphernalia is appreciated by lovers of precious metals. Holy images on metal stamped or cast bracelets are the most durable.
- Religious stone charms are a win-win choice. Like metal, church stone bracelets are very durable. In the hands of a professional, he turns into a real jewelry masterpiece, which is complemented by religious symbols.
Men's church bracelet
Men prefer jewelry made of precious metals. After all, they look beautiful, dignified, emphasize the status of the owner. Therefore, men's church bracelets are more often made of silver or gold.
In jewelry stores, the Holy Men religious decoration is in special demand. The original silver handmade bracelet is dedicated to 18 famous holy martyrs, miracle workers. Their icons are neatly inserted into the jewelry. It not only decorates, but also performs its main function: it protects its owner. Religious paraphernalia with the image of the cross is always in demand. Therefore, a church bracelet with a cross is quite popular among men. Often on religious decorations depict the St. George Cross. Original and dignified, it looks like an insert in leather weaving.
Women's church bracelet
Unlike men, women are more likely to prefer sophisticated religious decorations. Therefore, women's church bracelets are, as a rule, elegant light weaving with prayers. Like men's church paraphernalia, female models are made of precious metals, stones, wood, leather, textile, plastic. In addition to prayers, such bracelets are also supplemented with various inserts: crosses, small icons.
Prayer bracelets
Religious decoration with prayer serves as a kind of reminder for a believer about the need to turn to God. Each time, reading the inscription on the bracelet, his master mentally speaks with the Almighty the words of prayer. More often on church bracelets there is an inscription “Save and save”, Psalm 90. Prayers on jewelry are always succinctly inscribed in the pattern and supplemented with traditional Orthodox details or images of saints. However, the owner of the prayer bracelet must understand that the decoration has meaning and power only when the inscribed holy words are read, thereby turning to the Creator with faith and hope.
Orthodox bracelets
Orthodox jewelry has the main task - to remind people of God. Church wrist bracelets for men and women perform the same mission. Satisfying the aesthetic need, they still "treat" the human soul, acting as a kind of amulet. And although neither Catholic nor Orthodox clergy approve of wearing jewelry with religious symbols, their prudent use helps a person.
Orthodox church bracelets with prayers help their holders not to forget the main prayers. And having wrist jewelry with holy images, a person always remembers that it is necessary to pray to the Almighty, to thank Him for all earthly blessings or to ask for spiritual strength. The most common Orthodox images depicted on bracelets are the image of St. George, the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Martyrs. On Orthodox wrist jewelery, prayers and Psalms are often minted.
How to wear
There are no special rules in wearing wrist religious paraphernalia. Priests urge people not to turn church decorations into luxuries, because they have a spiritual component. Therefore, when a person puts it on, he immediately feels protected. How to wear a church bracelet on my arm? Right or left? It does not matter. The main thing is faith in the Almighty. But it should be remembered that religious charms are not worn in sight, because these are not jewelry, but objects of faith and respect for religion.
Some priests are deeply convinced that all images of saints are distorted on church bracelets. Wearing such items they consider sacrilege. Many people really forget about the religious aspect of Orthodox paraphernalia and turn it into a luxury item. Therefore, the protest of the clergy is justified. But still, most priests allow parishioners to wear church bracelets on their hands.
If the holder of the Orthodox bracelet does not know how to wear it correctly, he should contact a nearby priest for help and advice.
Where to get
Initially, church paraphernalia was sold only in monasteries, temples, church shops. But with the advent of jewelry stores, increasingly, church bracelets and other religious jewelry are bought there. This is especially true for products made of gold, silver and precious stones. However, all of them remain only ornaments, if not consecrated in the temple. Therefore, it is better to buy a church bracelet and other similar items in the territory of holy places. In churches, all Orthodox paraphernalia go through the stage of consecration and only after it goes on sale. It is believed that only a consecrated church bracelet or other jewelry helps a person to find peace of mind, cleanses the mind, protects before trials.