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Orthodox Workshop Store Andcross [4К]









This film is a perfect introduction to Jesus through the Gospel of Luke. Jesus constantly surprises and confounds people, from His miraculous birth to His rise from the grave. Follow His life through excerpts from the Book of Luke, all the miracles, the teachings, and the passion.

Before Jesus arrives, God prepares mankind. Prophets speak of the birth, the life, and the death of Jesus.

Jesus attracts attention. He teaches in parables no one really understands, gives sight to the blind, and helps those who no one sees as worth helping.

He scares the Jewish leaders, they see him as a threat. So they arrange, through Judas the traitor and their Roman oppressors, for the crucifixion of Jesus. They think the matter is settled. But the women who serve Jesus discover an empty tomb. The disciples panic. When Jesus appears, they doubt He’s real. But it’s what He proclaimed all along: He is their perfect sacrifice, their Savior, victor over death. He ascends to heaven, telling His followers to tell others about Him and His teachings.

The Icon of the Holy Trinity

In God, there is no division. Using this knowledge, Christianity for centuries defeated paganism, in which anything could be recognized as a god.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is also God himself. The Holy Spirit also represents God in the Holy Trinity. However, there is no contradiction here. Even though God is one, He appears in three forms.

We shouldn’t try to measure the Almighty by earthly standards. His presence can be found everywhere. Despite being one, he is also three persons at once. Not every person can understand intangible things. No matter what, you must believe in the Lord. Mercy will follow logically.

In explaining the trinity of God, St. John of Damascus compared it to fire and light. It is possible to call them different words, but they are the same thing. There is no separation between light and fire since it comes from the fire and remains within it. Consequently, the Son was born from the Father without being separated from Him.

“The Trinity existed before the ages, not having received existence from the beginning; it is eternal, ageless, immortal, infinite, non-increasing, indestructible …” wrote John Chrysostom.

As early as the New Testament, the Holy Trinity was understood in its current form. But the Trinity of God was mentioned even in the Old Testament.

The same holds true for images of the Trinity. So, at the dawn of Christianity, three husbands appeared to Abraham and were usually written down or laid out in a mosaic. They are most often shown standing upright. As time passed, the icons increasingly depicted three husbands sitting at the table. They can be served by Abraham alone or by his wife, Sarah.

A great master of icon painting, Andrei Rublev, created the image of the Holy Trinity that exists today. An icon he painted in the 15th century depicted three angels sitting at a table with a bowl. Icon painters have taken this image as their model ever since.

Father and Holy Spirit are very conditional images of God, which must be understood. With their own eyes, people could only see God – the Son. During Jesus Christ’s baptism, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove.

It is common for people to pray before the Holy Trinity on the eve of significant life events. Their passage and their end are dependent on God’s mercy. It pays to ask Him for help in advance when it comes to substantial matters.

We can find hope in difficult life situations by praying to the Trinity. There are times when prayer helps a person find his way out when he seems to have no way out, even if he appears to be doomed. In God’s will, an insoluble problem is resolved. This strengthens a Christian’s faith, and the faithful believer should pray even more to thank the Lord for his help. 

It is common for people to pray for forgiveness or confession in front of the Trinity icon. Ultimately, a person seeks the Lord’s forgiveness. It is, therefore, most appropriate to repent of sins before the image of the Trinity.

By keeping the icon of the Trinity at home, we can be assured that housing and family will be protected. Obviously, righteous behavior is fundamental. There is more to an icon than just a decorative element in the corner. The presence of an Orthodox icon makes it possible to mentally tune in to God, thus encouraging more reflection on a person’s actions and the soul.

The Holy Trinity can be turned to for any reason as long as your thoughts are pure and sincere. The will of God determines every important event around us.

At https://andcross.eu, you can buy an icon of the Holy Trinity that differs in artistic features, materials, sizes, and price.

One of the icons was painted and consecrated at the Holy Dormition Monastery in Pskov-Caves. The author uses a unique technique for applying the image. The coating materials are tempera, varnish, and drying oil.

It is possible to make icons using gold or silver. As a result, these products are beautiful and last longer than icons painted on wood alone.

In addition to icons, candles dedicated to the Holy Trinity can also be included in sets containing several religious objects. You will save time and money by buying an Orthodox set instead of ordering multiple items separately.

Andcross Pilgrimage Spiritual and Educational Center engages in more than just selling Orthodox goods. Through various activities, we aim to enlighten Russian Orthodox Christians worldwide. It also promotes religious values through its online store. The Orthodox corporation can be contacted at store@andcross.eu.

Icon of St Spyridon

Among Orthodox Christians, Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous is considered one of the most revered saints. He is one of those patrons who help in everyday life. People turn their prayers to him when they need help in dealing with daily difficulties related to work, house, or finances.

Spyridon spent his earthly life on the island of Cyprus. He lived in the 3rd century. Back then, he already had the ability to treat the sick and fight evil forces. He eased physical pain and exorcised demons, helping people come back to their normal lives. Moreover, people addressed him when they had trouble with money, and he selflessly helped without demanding anything in return. 2,000 years later, people still pray to the saint in the hope to improve their financial situation.

The doors of his house were always open for travelers and the poor. Spyridon gave them shelter and food, despite being a poor shepherd himself. Since he helped many with lodging, modern people also ask for his guidance when buying or selling property. This saint helps honest entrepreneurs in business and increases their income earned by honest work.

The unemployed also feel the protection of the saint. He helps to find a job they like and get a good salary. Praying to Spyridon, one can get more than finding a new job. For example, you can achieve better results in the company you currently work for, find mutual understanding with your boss and colleagues, improve skills, and reach a new level.

For these good deeds, the Lord rewarded the shepherd from Cyprus with the most powerful gift. Spyridon had the power to resurrect the dead. Thus, one day he resurrected the baby girl. The mother of the baby passed away from shock and disbelief but the saint resurrected her as well.

Another amazing miracle is the story about crossing a tumultuous river. It tells how Spyridon hurried to aid an innocent man who has been arrested and sentenced to death. When Spyridon read the prayer and the waters parted, allowing the saint to walk on a dry bottom, the judge realized his mistake and released the prisoner.

And when there was a drought on the island, which led to famine, Spyridon, having become the Bishop of Trimythous by that time, made the long-coveted rain appear and save the crops with his prayer.

When Spyridon left the world of people during a fervent prayer. He knew his time on earth was over in advance.

Today, the relics of Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous are kept in a church in the city of Kerkyra on the Greek island of Corfu. Although being almost 2,000 years old, they are imperishable. And the body temperature is the same as that of a living person. Many other miracles occur that strengthen the faith of believers.

For example, clergymen have to change the saint’s clothes and shoes from time to time because they wear out. As if Spyridon keeps wandering as he did during his lifetime. And the reliquary where the relics rest sometimes doesn’t open, despite the efforts. The clergymen suggest that the saint may be absent – he’s still wandering and helping people.

There are modern testimonies as well. People share stories of how Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous helped them after silent prayer. After all, to receive the help of the Lord and the saints, we need to have sincere faith first. But according to Orthodox tradition, it’s better to say prayers near icons.

Therefore, it’s recommended for every believer to have an icon of St Spyridon at home and work. Especially if there are health problems or misunderstandings among family members, and a person wants to solve these difficulties, using the power of prayer.

You can buy an icon of St Spyridon on the website. The item is handcrafted and made of precious metals: gold and silver. The technology of PVD coating was used to create it. The Orthodox artisans made it with warmth and prayer. The item is delivered in a gift box.

You can order an icon of St Spyridon on the website or by contacting the company via email store@andcross.eu

An icon made of precious metals may become a family heirloom. Such a valuable piece will serve for hundreds of years, especially if you take care of it. Moreover, gold and silver are valuable metals regardless of the way they are used.

You can buy a precious icon for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. Any believer will be happy to receive such a gift. Even a non-religious person can be happy to get it. The icon can also be considered a work of art due to its high artistic value.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

Recovery By Praying At Home

Believers know that God can help a person recover even if modern medicine is powerless. You can hear numerous stories in any church when there’s a miraculous icon. Or when there’s a holy spring on its territory. Parishioners pray, kiss icons, bathe in springs, and miracles happen. The blind begin to see, the deaf begin to hear, and the weak gain strength. The main thing is to sincerely believe that the Almighty will help.

This is why millions of believers travel to holy sites, make pilgrimages, or just attend services in churches. At the same time, it’s possible to heal your body and soul at home. Again, the main condition is to have a strong faith deep inside your heart. And where there is faith, there should be its symbols.

First of all, these are icons. Images of Jesus Christ, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, saints, and the Guardian Angel help to communicate with them. They allow you to distract from everyday life and focus on prayer. Standing in front of the icon, you can ask for mercy and health. There are some saints who often help to recover. For example, Saint Nicholas healed many people, pacified demons, and even resurrected the dead during his earthly life. Christians believe that this great saint still does the same. There are icons in some churches that are considered miraculous. But the homes of the Orthodox are also full of sacred images that have significant value for the family that keeps them. One icon was used for baptizing, the other was given by parents during a marriage blessing or another important event, and the third was inherited from a grandmother.

Praying to the icons, the believer eventually comes to the conclusion that it’s important to do it correctly, according to the Orthodox tradition. To do this, one should have religious books at home. For example, the prayer book contains texts that have been competently compiled and not changed for hundreds of years. There are prayers for different situations, including the ones that help to recover and improve health. In general, reading any Orthodox literature and understanding it gives a person mental and physical strength, pacifies, and decreases passions.

The sound of the ringing bell has a truly bracing effect on a person. Even scientists who tend to believe only facts have repeatedly confirmed this theory in their works at different times. They say that these are special vibrations that do the healing. And among other things, they also destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. Of course, it’s better to listen to the bell chime in the church. But you can also get a table church bell for home. In fact, it’s exactly the same as we see on the bell tower but smaller.

The symbol of faith, which is the same in church and at home, is a light of a church candle. It contains the mystery of faith, humility, and strength at the same time. Candles are lit during prayer. People do it in the church and near icons at home. With a candle, both thoughts and prayers become purer. Or you can simply light it when you need to detach yourself from the bustle around you and have a private conversation with God.

Of course, every Orthodox should wear a cross consecrated in a church. It protects its owner from evil influence every day, even if a person doesn’t have a chance to pray in a church or anywhere else. Can the cross help in strengthening health and fighting against disorders? Yes, it can! This is why it’s called live-giving.

Another way to receive daily protection and salvation is to wear a ring on your finger. But just any fancy ring. The ring should be made according to the Christian tradition and consecrated in a church. Such rings have inscriptions inside or outside, for example, “God, have mercy”. To some extent, a person who wears such a ring unconsciously asks for the mercy of the Almighty all the time.

All items mentioned above can be purchased in a church or ordered online. The website of Andcross Corporation offers a large selection of Christian items. This is the online store of the Orthodox Art Corporation, which works with workshops and individual craftsmen from around the world.

All products are of high quality. Many of them are made from precious metals – gold and silver. Icons, crosses, pendants, and rings contain the elements of these metals. The bindings of books – the Gospel Book, Book of Akathists, prayer books, and book of Psalms – are made of noble thick leather, often with metal inserts. Candles are made from natural beeswax.

Many items from this online store are made in Orthodox monasteries. Regardless of the country of production, all items are consecrated according to the Orthodox tradition.

Handmade products made of precious metals with the finest engraving can be considered real works of Christian art. With careful treatment, they can stay the same beautiful and serve for many decades.

You can contact the Andcross International Orthodox Art Corporation by mail at store@andcross.eu, the contacts on the website, or place an order in the online store.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

The Icon Of Our Lady of Vladimir. Buy The Consecrated Replica Of The Byzantine Image

The Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir and its origin

Sacred images are an inseparable part of Orthodoxy. They are called “windows into heaven”, and some icons helped not only individuals but the entire nation. Among the most beloved and revered symbols in the Eastern Church is the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir.

The original painting is nowadays kept in a small church in the heart of Moscow. According to historians, it can be traced back to the early 12th century. The icon is not just the miraculous depiction of Theotokos with the Child but also a piece of Byzantine art. The artist who created the painting remains unknown.

The icon depicts the Divine Child being tenderly held by his mother Mary. He embraces Theotokos with his both arms and looks at her trustfully. The eyes of the Virgin Mary are fixed on the viewer – you can see strength, love, tenderness, wisdom, and compassion in them. Thanks to countless miracles, the sacred image quickly became the symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Miraculous character of the holy image

Since its arrival in Vladimir, the icon has become the national palladium of the Rus. It is mentioned in numerous chronicles. Subsequently, the image began to play a prominent role in the history of the country. It defended the lands during invasions, wars, epidemics, and famine.

At all times, the Virgin of Vladimir was greatly venerated by nobility and took part in the major events of the state. The image has seen the coronations of great monarchs, was taken to the besieged cities and into battles and was even used in important ceremonies of the country. The sacred image has 3 feast days that are associated with specific miracles (when the icon was brought into the battle and thousands of people prayed to it in collective prayer).

There exist thousands of replicas of the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir. It can be found in almost every Orthodox church and home’s religious corners of devout Christians. Each copy received a bit of the miraculous power of the original and can help individuals in their hour of need.

Information about the item

The love and care of the Mother of God are endless, and they are enough to help everyone on this earth. Sincere and fervent prayer will never be unheard or unanswered. The presence of the consecrated image can help you focus on your thoughts and become closer to the Almighty.

It’s possible to turn to the Virgin of Vladimir with any request or problem:

For God, it doesn’t really matter what kind of icon you use. However, having handmade artwork created by skilled artisans at home is way better than purchasing a cheap item with short durability.

You can buy a beautiful reproduction of Vladimir Mother of God in the Andcross online store. 

https://andcross.eu  The size of the item: 5.12” (width) x 7.10” (length) – or 13 x 18 cm. The image is covered with 999 fine silver and has a stable wooden stand at the back.

Buy the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir

Every believer has at least one icon at home. Through the sacred images, we can connect with the Heavenly Powers and ask for help. Through them, we learn to exercise and improve our faith. When purchasing good quality work at religious shops, you get a consecrated image that will never fade and stay in your family for generations.

You can also buy the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir as a thoughtful gift for your loved ones. At Andcross, we carefully wrap every item and pack it into a beautiful gift box. The exquisite quality of materials and fast delivery from Europe are guaranteed! Place an order today to welcome the blessing or the Mother of God into your heart and home.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

St George Icon For Sale. How The Image Of St George Helps Christians

St George icon and its significance for Orthodox Christians

Every person in the world knows the name of St George. He is the saint that connects people from different cultures and religions. Muslims have legends about him, Eastern Orthodox buy St George icons, and Catholics depict the warrior on the stained glasses in their cathedrals.

Although he is venerated by many, little is known about his time on earth. There are plenty of controversial stories about the life of the saint. It’s generally believed that he was a Christian soldier under the command of the pagan Roman Emperor. Because of his faith, he was arrested and tortured for seven days. St George died a martyr after being executed.

That’s why people pray to him when they need strength, courage, and endurance. It’s possible to turn to the saint for improving your faith and dealing with difficult life situations.

The patron saint and defender: how St George helps people?

St George is loved by religious artists – he is depicted on multiple frescoes, mosaics, statues, and sacred images. The most recognizable depiction portrays him as a horse rider slaying the dragon. This image of warrior derives from the legends where the saint saves the village from the cruel beast. The dragon represents the Devil’s craving to corrupt innocent souls.

In many countries, Saint George is the symbol of justice, valor, and patriotism. Several countries, regions, and cities call him their patron saint and defender. In Eastern Orthodox Church, the meaning of the icon of St George the Warrior is simple but clear: with his spear, he puts an end to the terror of paganism.

St George was canonized because he didn’t give up on God. Neither wealth nor power made him abandon his beliefs. That is why he serves as a symbol of unshakable faith for many Christians. Men, women, and even children can turn their prayers to this saint and he will hear everyone. Sometimes, it’s enough to just say simple words coming from the heart and light a candle in front of his image.

Most people believe that St George is the patron saint of warriors and soldiers only. Mothers pray to him to bring their sons back alive and innocent people ask for peace and conflict resolutions.

About this item

It’s hard to imagine what the lives of Christians would be without the assistance of saints. Sincere prayer is able to solve all complicated issues, and strengthen our faith in God and ourselves. When praying in front of the St George icon, people can make many requests:

The Andcross art store https://andcross.eu has consecrated images of St George the Warrior in stock. The dimensions of the item: 5.12” (width) x 7.10” (length) – or 13 x 18 cm. The handmade painting has plenty of small details and is covered with 999 fine silver. Every product comes with a gift box.

Why you should buy St George icon online

Not only military men can pray to this saint. In the hour of need, any believer can turn to the Martyr with his request. By the way, it will be good not only to ask for what you need or desire but also to thank the saint for listening and transferring messages to Our Lord.

By buying the icon of St George the Warrior at the Andcross art store, you bring the patronage of one of the revered saints to your house. Every item is an amazing piece of art handmade by Christian artisans. It will serve you and your family for generations and will keep you safe from all troubles and problems.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

The Icon Of St Matrona of Moscow. Buy The Consecrated Replica Of The Wonder-working Image

The Icon of St Matrona of Moscow and its history

It takes years and centuries to be canonized, although the life and deeds of some people make them worth the title of a saint. The original icon of St Matrona of Moscow was painted only 23 years ago (in 1999) but it’s deeply venerated by many Orthodox in Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Since birth, Matrona was gifted with prophetic and healing powers. Her own life was tough but she always found the strength and bravery to help other people in their needs. Despite the problems with her physical health (the girl was born blind and became paralyzed at the age of 17), she always believed in God and even made several pilgrim trips to the holy sites.

After the Russian Revolution, Matrona had to leave her home and move to Moscow, where she secretly stayed in the houses of fellow Christians. During these years, many people came to see her and ask for her help with their troubles. It’s said that she was accepting up to 40 visitors every day until her last breath in 1952.

Her place of burial became a pilgrimage site for many Orthodox believers, although Matrona wasn’t declared a saint yet. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized her 50 years after her death – at the beginning of the 21st century. This is when the first icons were created.

The miracles of Saint Matrona

According to her contemporaries, Matrona was widely known as a prophet and healer. She predicted major events in the history of the Soviet Union and the lives of ordinary people. There’s a legend that Stalin himself visited Matrona and asked for her advice. It happened when German troops reached the outskirts of Moscow during World War II. Despite this story being just a beautiful fable, it only proves how important Matrona’s influence was.

The saint’s main miracles are related to healing. And some of the cases were truly hopeless. Thus, there’s a story about a man who was able to move only in a wheelchair. Matrona invited him to visit her but said he must use his own legs to reach her. The man believed the wise prophet and literally crawled to her threshold. Needless to say that he walked out of Matrona’s house without any effort or pain.

Now that the saint is no longer with us, we can still rely on spiritual wisdom and help. Through sincere prayer in front of the icon of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow, we can deal with numerous difficulties. Her image is quite popular in Eastern Orthodoxy, that’s why there are many copies of her original icon. And everyone can purchase for himself!

About this product

On the icons, Matrona is always painted as an elderly woman with her eyes closed. Such an image is a perfect reflection of her actual looks. This is a unique depiction since all other saints are portrayed with their eyes open.

People often turn to the saint and ask for forgiveness and spiritual wisdom. It’s also believed that the icon of St Matrona of Moscow can help in:

You can buy a beautiful reproduction of St Matrona of Moscow in the Andcross online store  

https://andcross.eu The size of the item: 5.12” (width) x 7.10” (length) – or 13 x 18 cm. The image is a precise copy of the original icon. The painting is covered with 999 fine silver plating.

Buy the icon of St Matrona of Moscow

In our lives, we can’t deal with all our troubles. That’s why we ask the Higher Powers to be our guiding light in the moment of darkness and despair. When you have the sacred images at home, it’s easy to turn to the saint with any request.

We recommend purchasing the icon of St Matrona of Moscow and other holy objects in religious shops. All the items at the Andcross Art Store are created by talented Christian masters and are already consecrated. We put every product into a beautiful gift box and deliver it to any country. Order the image of the Blessed Matrona today to surround yourself with divine protection and care.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

The Icon Of Jesus Christ Pantocrator. Buy The Consecrated Replica Of The Byzantine Image

The Icon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator and its meaning

Icons play a crucial role in the daily lives of Christians. We turn to them in the moments of trouble when our burden is too heavy to bear. One of the most valuable images in the sacred corner of Orthodox believers is the icon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator.

This is a very specific depiction of Christ, disclosing his dual nature. On one hand, it shows him as a human because his face is asymmetrical. It reminds us that He once was a living being and walked on earth like everyone else. On the other hand, the word “Pantocrator” tells us about his position and power since this word is translated from Greek as “almighty”.

In Catholic and Orthodox churches, the image of Christ Pantocrator always occupies the central part of the building. A painting, mosaic, or fresco can be placed in the biggest dome, nave vault, or half-dome of the apse. Thus, the significance of His personality is highlighted.

The description of this image

No one knows when the first icons appeared but it’s believed that they reflect the true appearance of Jesus. The earliest Byzantine painting in this style dates back to the 6th century. Visitors of St Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai have a unique opportunity to say their prayers in front of the oldest icon of Christ Pantocrator. This depiction is a prototype of all other images of Jesus Christ.

What is so important about this depiction? First of all, the hands of the Savior are depicted according to all rules of iconography. With His right hand, He makes a blessing gesture, which grants Lord’s help to every prayer. In His left hand, he holds the open New Testament, which implies the good news of salvation.

Although the original image is made in gloomy and dark shades, more colors were added to older icons. Modern reproductions are covered with a thin layer of silver – to protect the precious icon and keep it in an excellent state for generations. You can buy a consecrated icon of the Almighty online and have it delivered to your doorstep.

Information about the item

The icon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator is usually placed in the center of your sacred corner. You can address Our Lord whenever you need his protection and help. Learning a special prayer would be great but simple words coming from your heart will be heard too. The Almighty already knows everything we have in our minds and souls. It’s impossible to hide our real intentions from Him.

With the icon of the Almighty in front of your eyes, you can pray for everything you need:

You can buy the majestic reproduction of Jesus Christ Pantocrator in the Andcross Art Store online 

https://andcross.eu The size of the item: 5.12” (width) x 7.10” (length) – or 13 x 18 cm. The image is covered with a 999 fine silver plate and has a practical wooden stand at the back.

Buy the icon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator

It is important to turn to Our Lord not only with a request but also with words of gratitude. If you can’t go to the church as often as you’d like to, purchase the consecrated image of Christ the Savior. Our religious store offers handmade icons created by Christian artisans. Every product comes with a gift box.

Having the consecrated icon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator at home means getting powerful protection from Our Lord and the chance to always ask for help and deliverance from troubles. Frequent prayers to the Savior help to find peace and spiritual harmony.

Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross

Archangel Gabriel

Archangels are supreme angels. Creatures who, according to the Bible, live in Heaven and are close to God. Angels are also considered the army of the Lord that is supposed to protect people. That’s why they say that each person has a guardian angel. And above these angels are Archangels each of whom has their name and mission. Archangel Gabriel is one of them.

Meaning of the name

Archangel Gabriel is considered a blessed messenger, and in the Scripture, he is called the protector of the chosen people. Gabriel’s name is translated as “God’s Power”. In Kabala, he is acknowledged as the teacher of the patriarch Joseph, and in Islam – as the sponsor of Muhammad. It’s Gabriel that Muhammad got his knowledge from, and then he was moved to Heaven.

The Archangel is often depicted as a young man with a jasper mirror and a torch in his hands. The torch is used to light the way for the souls of the dead, and the mirror reflects good and bad deeds of people.

Gabriel represents the fact that the ways of God are past finding out, often unclear, but are learned with time and through hard work and studying. And it’s also important to listen to the voice of conscience. It’s in the Mirror that those who deserve it will later see the mysteries of God and the saving of humanity.

Acts of Gabriel

Acts of Gabriel are called miracles. In his honor, a stone, on which he wrote a song for the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by appearing to one of the Athos monks, on Mount Athos back in the 9th century. One of the monastic cells near Karyaes is still there. Worshippers come to this cell. Its name is “Axion estin”.

Gabriel would often appear to the biblical characters. For example, he came to Moses when he was herding his cattle. It’s to Moses that Gabriel told about how the world was created. Then Moses captured the words of the Archangel in the Book of Genesis. Prophets of the Testament often told people about the future, whereas Moses talked about the past.

Archangel brought Daniel the news about the occurrence of the Savior in the future. Saint Anna gave birth to her daughter, who later became the Mother of Jesus, at the behest of Gabriel. He came to Mary a lot of times during her stay at the Temple of Jerusalem.

Zechariah was rendered mute for not believing in the Appearance of John the Precursor. And then Gabriel came to Mary again. He told her that she would conceive in her womb for she had found favor with God. Gabriel told Mary how she should name her son. He also told her who her son would become.

Gabriel would come to Joseph, Mary’s husband when he would start doubting himself, his wife, and his son. He would console him and tell him that his wife is innocent and his son was conceived immaculately. Gabriel accompanied Jesus through his whole life, and before his execution, he came to strengthen the faith of the Son of God during his ordeals.

The myrrh-bearing women who came to bury Jesus on the morning after the execution saw Gabriel. He told them to convey the good news about the resurrection of Jesus to his disciples. There are a lot of miracles associated with Gabriel’s name that even common people spoke about.

Today, Gabriel is acknowledged as a helper in difficult times and in taking decisions. That’s why people who cannot make up their minds bring candles and pray to him.

As Gabriel helped Anna conceive a child, men and women who dream of having a child ask the Archangel to give them one.

If a person feels that they’re confused, they pray that Gabriel sets their lost soul on the right path. Gabriel brings light and happiness. That’s why people turn to him when depressed or weary. After a person dies, their close ones ask Gabriel to carry the soul of the deceased to the Mercy Seat.

About the life and miracles of Saint Spyridon

In Christianity, Saint Spyridon is revered as much as Saint Nicholas. Spyridon is a patron saint and a defender of Corfu – the island where his relics found their resting place. During his life as a shepherd and monk, he led a simple and modest life: didn’t speak or eat much. Asceticism in everything was his main motto. By this attitude, he showed the faithful Christians that an honest heart and firm faith work wonders.

Spyridon is known as the “walking saint” because he used to travel a lot. The saint was able to convert many pagans to Christianity. Nowadays, he is deeply revered in Russia, Greece, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic States, and venerated by both Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.

For his numerous miraculous deeds, the saint got the name “Wonderworker”. Even after his death, he continues helping people in need. Sincere prayers in front of his icons allow people to find a way out of many difficult situations. The images of the saint can be found in almost every Orthodox church.

How St Spyridon is depicted

There are multiple depictions of Saint Spyridon – on some icons, he’s painted in full length, on the others, in waist length. However, some distinctive features can tell you that this is the right saint you are looking at. The monk is dressed in bishop robes and has gray hair. As a representation of his shepherd’s past, his head is covered with a woven hat made of straw.

In his left hand, he’s holding a Gospel Book. In some images, he holds a shard with a flame in his right hand with water dripping from it. According to one legend, he was trying to reason with a pagan philosopher by showing him a true miracle. The monk took a shard (other legends say it was a brick) in his hand, fervently prayed to Our Lord, and the shard burst into flames on one end, and the water was pouring down from its other end. Thus, he showed the unfaithful how three things can be one. This piece of pottery with three different entities represents the Holy Trinity.

Saint Spyridon acts as a shepherd for people who have lost their ways. He prays for all people in need and grants them food and shelter. In the past, people prayed to him to ask for good weather and an abundant harvest.

How the icon of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker helps believers

Now, people seek St Spyridon’s protection in all kinds of lawsuits, especially if they were wrongly accused. A sincere prayer coming from the heart can help solve issues related to work, financial situations, business, problems with the property, and debt repayment. People turn to him when they are desperate to improve their financial situation or buy a new house. The saint hears everyone and helps those believers who have pure intentions.

The saint is revered by working people. You can turn to him to help you in finding a good job or become a more valued employee, to protect your business from competitors, or save you from being unfairly fired.

If having the icon of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker at home, you can turn to him with your requests as often as you need. According to the legends and stories described in Byzantine literature, he became famous for healing and resurrecting people. You can pray to him for health – and ask for the well-being of yourself and your family. Remember that prayers that you say out loud are the strongest!

You can order a silver-plated icon of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker for yourself and your close ones. The Andcross Orthodox Workshop Store offers you high-quality goods that will serve for generations and can become a family heirloom. Moreover, the protection of the saint in financial-, health- and business-related situations will always be with you.

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Icons of St Nicholas the Wonderworker – why people revere this Saint

The image of Saint Nicholas has a special significance for all Christians. He is one of the most venerated holy men in all denominations. His images, statues, and frescoes can be found in almost every church. And many believers buy the icons of St Nicholas the Wonderworker and place them near the images of God, the Virgin Mary, and the Holy Trinity.

During his lifetime, Nicholas was a generous and helping person. He donated his family wealth to the poor and choose to live a simple life. According to legends, the saint has performed numerous miracles during his time on earth, that is why he got the name “Wonderworker”.

Relics of St Nicholas are highly valued by all Christians. Even his icons are believed to be miraculous. People pray in front of them and ask the saint to help them in their needs.

How the Saint is depicted

All images of the saint on contemporary icons are based on the ancient depictions of this holy man. And the very first versions of his images are believed to be very close to his actual appearance. Usually, it’s easy to recognize Saint Nicholas in the church. He is depicted as gray-haired old man with a silver beard.

One of the most distinguishing features of the saint is the unusually high forehead. People who see his image for the first time note the deep and wise look of the holy man. The whole posture of St Nicholas radiates harmony and peace.

There exist several depictions of the saint: waist-length or full-length and with different details on the background. He is always dressed in the attire typical for Orthodox bishops (called omophorion). In his left hand, he holds the Holy Scriptures, and his right hand is lifted in blessing. This gesture stands for the patronage of people in need.

The images of St Nicholas possess miraculous power. After sincerely praying in front his icons, faithful people find solutions to their problems.

Who needs St Nicholas’s protection and help

To understand the extraordinary power of this holy man, we need to turn to multiple stories and legends about his life and deeds. There are many of them: the saint bringing the murdered boys back to life, calming seas, helping the poor, and providing food during a severe famine. In general, we may say that he helps faithful Christians in trouble.

An icon of St Nicholas the Wonderworker will be a great gift for every believer, despite his age, profession, or gender. He is the patron saint of children, sailors, travelers (especially those who make sea voyages), students, businessmen, merchants, unfairly accused people, and maidens who want to find a proper spouse.

In our time, the saint performs his miraculous deeds. Faithful people share their stories of how St Nicholas assisted them in finding a new job, happily marrying, getting rid of illnesses, preventing car accidents, and many other situations.

Saint Nicholas is also revered in Islam. Although his images cannot be found in Muslim homes and houses of worship, people still address this saint in their deepest and most desperate needs.

An icon of St Nicholas the Wonderworker at home

St Nicholas is one of the most honored saints in Christianity. When people go to the church and don’t know who they turn to, they pray to him. And he always helps.

Buying an icon of St Nicolas the Wonderworker for your house is a great idea. We don’t always have the opportunity to go to church but frequently need the protection of the divine power. Praying to the Saint can heal from diseases, raise a healthy child, and get the patronage of one of the most revered saints in everything you do.

Some people buy small and simple icons to hang above the entrance door – thus, the saint will protect everyone who enters and leaves the house. Having an image of Saint Nicholas in the car will grant a driver and his passengers a safe journey. Beautiful silver icons made in the church workshop may become a family heirloom and passed from one generation to another.

On the website of Andcross Orthodox Workshop Store, you can order a silver-plated icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. We offer a large selection of icons made by Christian artisans. Such an image will protect you and your family from difficult life situations.

On the website of Andcross Orthodox Workshop Store,  (https://andcross.eu)

The fear of God. How is it transformed into wisdom?

The idea that the fear of the Lord can transform into wisdom appears in Proverbs 9:10. Then, the knowledge of something, which turns into understanding God, appears. This extract perfectly explains the idea of true wisdom. Only the real fear of the Lord can lead a sinful person to real knowledge. It means that all other forms of realization are quite useless if they are not related to the fear of God. Before understanding this idea, one needs to find the meaning of the word “fear” in the Bible.
This word has several meanings in the Bible. Foremost, it is the feeling that a human being experiences in a certain situation. This explanation is given in Deuteronomy 2:25. Another idea describes it as a relationship between a master and a slave. A slave is always afraid of the master, and he constantly serves God. Besides, feeling the presence of God’s greatness can be interpreted as awe. In fact, the fear of God comprises all these interpretations.
The idea of fearing God can be interpreted as the constant realization of the Supreme always keeping an eye on us. He follows us our entire lives and evaluates all our actions. This can be compared with the words of Jesus Christ, who said that he knew all the things people did. Nothing can slip his attention.
If anybody wants to work on this feeling, he must make a confession. It includes accepting God without questioning. We must see the power, might, beauty, and marvel of the Supreme with our souls. All the people who ever experienced fear of God keep in mind the idea of his existence. They have great awe, and they tend to obey him at any time.
Proverbs 1:7 explain to us that foolish people can’t experience fear of God. It is explained like this: they despise wisdom, and only this quality is the fear itself. This phrase explains that there is a remarkable difference between the two kinds of lives. One can live a wise life, the other can live a shallow life. A wise man is permanently afraid of God, he always serves him. A fool always neglects God. A fool can’t follow any advice on what to do. A wise man remains the same his entire life because he has some wisdom in him. A fool has none, so he can’t be transformed into a wise person as his soul is empty.
One can’t become wise if he denies God. This is impossible. Even Romans 1:21-22 prove it. It is written there that one can’t become a wise man if he doesn’t praise the Supreme. Even with the best intentions, a fool remains the same as he has a shallow mind. Nothing can be achieved if you keep ignoring the Supreme as it is the basis of wisdom.
The connection between God and wisdom simply means that a sinful person can gain wisdom if he creates his personal image of God. Lots of people have a desire to turn God into a nobody. In this situation, God doesn’t threaten anybody. If we aren’t afraid of God, we can’t become wise. For most people, God exists only to bless. It is a convenient way to live when everything is acceptable. In this case, people are not afraid of the Supreme. The greatness of God starts when we are really afraid of him. He is powerful, he can do everything, and any person must understand it. He has endless power.
We obtain wisdom when we kneel down in worship. This is a situation when we are open to God, and we are afraid. Wisdom implies looking at everything as God could have looked at it. Besides, he could have reacted in a certain way, so a person should do the same. Wisdom is always a priority, and one should always look for it. One can find this idea in Proverbs as this book is considered to be wise. The whole book is devoted to the search for wisdom and the ways to obtain it.
We won’t be able to achieve “wisdom from the heavens” if we have a misunderstanding with God. A person must live as he is fully connected with God. Undoubtedly, we can do lots of things on earth, and we can make any choice. The only problem is that this is all done without wisdom. There is one thing missing here: it is something that defines a person as wise. One parable tells the story of a famous farmer who wanted to make a fortune. His plan seemed to be quite wise but God told him that he was a fool. The main problem with the plan was that it was created without any slightest idea of God.
If we don’t have a real fear of God, we won’t be able to make lots of decisions. They are all based on our daily experience. When we feel the fear of God, we make these decisions the other way. We make them only with God’s approval. We keep on living, understanding that God is here. He keeps His watchful eye on us. He evaluates every step of our lives.
The respect for greatness leads us to honor the Supreme. We are always thankful to God as he has mercy for us. We must clearly understand that there exist a God of love and a God of fear at the same time. He frightens us to keep us far from evil. When we live according to religious traditions, it leads us to wisdom.

The appearance of God. How to identify him?

As we know from the Bible, God is a spirit. Due to this fact, it becomes impossible to see his face in real life. According to Exodus 33:20, no one can see the face of God. We aren’t able to see God as we are full of sin. We can’t perceive him in his glory. It is hard to imagine how God looks like, it is something mysterious and divine.

From the Bible, we’ve learned that God appears in front of people in different forms. When someone sees Him, he can get an idea of how he looks. God reveals Himself in a form that people can comprehend. To imagine how God really looks like is beyond our knowledge. When he appears, it happens only for a couple of seconds. This is how he gives us an understanding of his existence. The purpose is not to keep his image in mind.

Ezekiel describes the image of God this way: “Above the people’s heads, there was something unusual as if it was a throne made of sapphire. Above it, there was a figure resembling a real man. Half of this person looked as if it was made of glowing metal. It seemed that he was full of flame. There was also light around him. It can be compared with a rainbow appearing on a rainy day. This glow looked exactly the same”.

Revelation states that God has fair hair as if it was made of snow. His eyes were full of flames. His feet looked like melted bronze, and the voice reminded the sound of the water. Holding several stars and having a sword in his mouth, he looked like the Sun, glowing with all its might.

These are the best-known attempts to describe the image of God. All the facts and descriptions were based on symbolic languages, as it is impossible to describe His appearance with any of the humans languages. Once, everyone will see God. There will be no sin on our way to heaven, so we can see God in his true appearance.

Lord’s Prayer. What is it and does it need to be prayed by a believing Christian?

In order to understand what it is, you should refer to the Sacred Texts. According to the scriptures, this prayer is the prayer that Jesus has taught his faithful disciples. He’s given an exact formulation and the way one should pray to God, the words that should be pronounced, and what should be the purpose of it. The text can be found in the Gospel. There are people who do not know how to read this prayer correctly and people who give this prayer special importance.
It is important to note that the words that a Christian says during prayer, their sequence and whether they add up to verses are not that important. What is important is what the soul says – the true motives, the true faith of a person. And those words (they may not be the most eloquent thoughts but real and sincere words) will help to connect with God and convey your message to him. First of all, prayer is a revelation, a story about the most secret, intimate, and important things every person has to say to God. It is important to be honest here. It is important to open your soul and heart and let God in, instead of reading a memorized text (this makes no sense because God will immediately see hypocritical and insincere words).
Prayers should be a reflection of your soul, your true state, and your true faith. It is impossible to hear a sincere prayer from a non-believing person. Share everything that worries you, and open your soul without hesitation (you can even cry during your prayer). A Christian who believes in his words and in God will be worthy of his attention.
What does this prayer give?
This prayer can serve as a model for how to pray. You can find various words, the structure of the phrase, or other helpful things if there is almost no experience. For example, you should always address God when you start a prayer, say some words that praise him and wish him well, and so on. Here you need to fully understand why you turn to God because you should not pray for the sake of praying. The goal of praying can be a request, gratitude, or praise. Do not forget about the proper conclusion, you must make God get into your position and convince him to pay attention to you and help you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that the Lord’s Prayer, which was presented by Jesus Christ for his disciples, is nothing more than a perfect example of how to address God. You can call it the general model (or general principles for reading a prayer). Do not forget that God does not need you to memorize the text but he wants to hear only sincere words that will reflect your faith and the principles of the Christian life. Open your soul to him and tell him about your most secret thoughts (or about your sins because your sincerity is especially necessary for forgiveness). Open up to God and he will hear you.

Types of crosses: what must a believer know?

A cross is a religious symbol, that appeared long ago. It has a history of more than 2000 years. The cross is a divine beginning of every believer. This symbol is recognized by people all over the world. There are a lot of types of crosses and their meanings.

It is important to mention that the word “cross” is often related to the word “crucifix”. In fact, they mean the same. The main symbol that can be seen in it is Jesus Christ. But there some differences in them. They depend upon the direction of Christianity. These religious elements can have various forms and performances.

How many types of crucifixes exist?

As we speak about different performances, it is hard to count how many of them exist. In general, they can be divided into the following groups:

  1. Jesus Style;
  2. Celtic;
  3. Upside Down Performance;
  4. Christian;
  5. Wooden;
  6. Orthodox;
  7. Jerusalem;
  8. Coptic;
  9. Templar;
  10. Tau.

Let’s have a look at these cross styles from a more detailed angle. The first type is the most widespread. It is characterized by the image of God on it. It is a typical element on the religious thing among the Christians. This performance is used in different spheres. It can be found in literature, art and even cinema. Among all the types of Christian crosses, this one is the most popular and religious.

A Celtic variant is less widespread than Jesus cross. But at the same time, it found its popularity in the UK. At the beginning of the 5th century, this religious element firstly appeared in England, and then in some other countries like Scotland and Ireland. The peculiar feature of it is a ring inside. This type is rather popular in fashion.

Upside Down performance is one of the most unusual crosses styles. The appearance of this version is connected with the name of Saint Peter. As it is known, he was crucified upside down, and due to this fact, such performance appeared.

Different kinds of crosses with various meanings

There are some types of elements that are quite interesting, due to their meaning and performance. Wooden performance is quite symbolic. If we remember the story of the crucifixion, Jesus Christ was crucified on the wooden cross. It symbolizes a strong belief and devotion to Christianity.

The orthodox variant has different versions of it. The most popular is the Russian Orthodox performance. The main difference of it, is the presence of three horizontal beams. Among the most unusual cross types, one should be always mentioned. It is called Jerusalem. The composition of it includes five crosses: one as the main, and four others that surround it. The story of its appearance dates back to the Middle Ages. It is used as a symbol of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Coptic has a rather decorative style. It is shown with lots of flowers and arms. There are 12 points on it. The number of them corresponds with the number of Apostles. Every believer knows that there were twelve of them. Templar variant was used mainly by knights in the Middle Ages. And the last version is Tau. It is shown in the form of the letter T. Its history has more than 2000 years.

Why do we have so many variants?

Different directions of Christianity were the reasons why so many religious symbols appeared. Different types of crosses are among them. Every approach in Christianity wants to emphasize its importance. Due to this fact, they made up some unique symbols. Different crosses are the results of their struggle. Nevertheless, all these variants have the same meanings. They show that a person believes in God. No matter what type of it he is wearing, he is under strong protection.

What must a person know about praying the rosary?

Rosary beads are very important in the life of Christians. When they want to ask God for anything they pray the rosary. But very few religious people are aware of how to do it correctly. The main questions that can be solved through the meditation can be love, recovery and progress in some actions. Women usually ask for a baby, men often ask for the promotion.

Introduction to the rosary for beginners

One of the key factors about prayer is the participation of the group. If a person is not alone, all the surrounding people must take part in it. The part of the introduction is very important, as it prepares a believer in deeper meditation and communication with God. When you are going to ask God for anything, concentrate on the topic you are interested in. You need to bring your troubles and questions to Saint Mary. She cares about a religious person. She delivers your wishes and problems to Jesus Christ.

The first thing to remember about the rosary prayer is holding a crucifixion in hands. A person must give a short description of the faiths. The first main bead includes the words to God, the Supreme of all the Christians. The next coming elements are responsible for the words addressed to Mary. It is based on the words written in the Bible. These words are responsible for the most important things in life. And the last step of rosary prayers must be connected with appealing to the Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. It is a strong devotion to the Holy Trinity. After all these steps, a believer is ready to go to the first decade.

Christian rosary decades

When we speak about the number of decades, we often mean that there five of them. They include the groups that unite 10 beads. But there is one big bead between ten small ones. Then you come to the next steps on how to say the rosary. The next large element is responsible for communication with the Father. Every next decade on a small bead is responsible to the address to the Hail Mary. After the 10th bead, a pious person usually prays to Fatima. These steps can be repeated within four decades. When you are doing these activities, you can concentrate on the mysteries of these peculiar features.

And the last actions include the final words to God. They are pronounced on the medal. They finish the rosary. When we complete this decade, we usually ask to take care of us, guide us and achieve perfection. In the next steps appeal to the Hail. There is a hope that a person’s life can be changed for the better. And the last important point about this instruction is holding the crucifixion. It must be represented in a sign of the Cross. When you begin doing it regularly, you will understand how to pray the rosary without any hints.

Conclusion

This type of meditation is important for Christians. Through these words, they open their souls to God. It is vitally important to follow the main rules, that’s why this rosary guide will be helpful for people who never practised such actions before.

The desire of young people to dedicate their lives to God is quite good. It means that they are ready to sacrifice. Everybody wants to clear his soul. But the main trouble they face is ignorance. They don’t know what to start with. Just visiting the church won’t enough. It requires much power and knowledge. Rosary for dummies means nothing. And if a person learns the rules of how to behave, what to think about, how to concentrate, it adds some power to his words and thoughts. Every ritual includes seriousness and patience. You can’t reach the divinity without it. If you want to achieve purity of the soul, follow these simple ways how to pray the rosary.

Saint Michael the archangel prayer

Quite a few Orthodox believers are familiar with the world of angels. The main reason for ignorance is the limited information about these celestial creatures. Angels appeared long before humanity. They are spiritual beings who represent the following basic features: will, power, mind and personality.

These creatures are not visible with a human eye. They are sent to the people by God. Sometimes they bring the message to the person about a human’s destiny and the whole world. And one of the main archangels is St. Michael. In ancient writings, he was considered as a leader, a Prince of the army of the Lord, as he was the main fighter against evil. That’s why saint Michael prayer is so powerful.

What can you ask St. Michael for?

Archangel as well as fighting evil forces helps people in misfortunes and troubles. Every believer who addresses to an angel is sure to be heard through archangel Michael prayer. They pray to him because he is a reliable defender from the evil for every Orthodox Christian who believes.

Prayer to St Michael is important when people want to get assistance in these spheres of life:

  1. Everyday issues;
  2. About treatment;
  3. Help on a long journey;
  4. Troubles and misery;
  5. Protection from the evil forces.

If a person wants to get help from the archangel, he uses the st Michael prayer. Saint Michael will help believers perform miracles in their lives. Prayer to Saint Michael will help a student or schoolchild pass the exam successfully. If you need to do this, just read St Michael’s prayer. Even if you are going on a long journey, or if you are often away from home on duty or a business trip – read it before your journey to ask him for protection and luck. Archangel often helps people prevent various kinds of misfortunes in their lives. If your prayer is sincere, the angel will surely support you in any situation, even in a very difficult one. The most powerful is the prayer that is read on the day of Archangel Michael-September 19.

How to address the archangel?

Today, a lot of young modern people live far from the Church. They have their own separate faith. Such people remember the existence of higher powers only when some misfortune has already happened. They do not pay attention to the fact that before this, their life was filled with deceit, theft, laziness. This position is far from correct. Remember that before filling your heart with good divine energy, you need to get rid of the bad one through the prayer of St Michael. Otherwise, there may be exacerbations. To do this, you need: ask for forgiveness from all the people you have offended; stop criticizing people; do not take drugs or other psychotropic substances; remove swearing from your conversations.

The angel always helps anxious, confused people who cannot find a certain position in life. Also, the guardian can strengthen your faith, remove all worries and fears, especially those that torment your soul. There are prayers in which the reader asks to give him courage, strength, endurance, to get rid of selfish and arrogant motives to achieve the desired goal. If you read St Michael the Archangel prayer from your sincere heart, he will not ignore you. You will definitely feel it on the physical level when this warm energy passes through your body. If you need reliable protection, read the Saint Michael the archangel prayer for protection.

Among all the believers, this prayer is widespread and most of them read it when they are in low spirits. St Michael prayer can solve the problems and help to find the right way of the decision or the choice.

Mysteries of the rosary: what are they?

A lot of people know that rosary is an important part of their life. But very few of them really know what it means. They don’t know how to pray it either. Due to its fact, it is vitally important to specify the rosary mysteries. When people are going to meditate on it, they want to achieve self-awareness and confidence in their actions. Everybody must follow his own way of meditation. There is a brief overview of the mysteries of the rosary.

How many of them exist?

If we pay attention to the number of these religious elements, we will get to know that the number of them is 20. They are:

  1. Joyous;
  2. Sorrowful;
  3. Glorious;

At the beginning of their history, there were only three of them. And the latest was introduced by Pope John Paul II. All groups have special concepts that are related to Jesus and Mary’s lives. It is a concept that is sometimes called “fruit”. These elements must lead a person to the right actions in life and arise inspiration in humans’ souls.

The notion of mysteries

Every group of christian rosary mysteries is associated with different events in the life of the saints. Joyous mysteries are focused on Jesus’s Incarnation. They include such fruits as humility, love to the neighbour, spiritual poverty, purity of body and mind and obedience. So, they are the first group of christian mysteries. These mysteries also reveal the story of Jesus appearance, when Mary knew that she was going to become a mother. Poverty, in this case, is connected with Jesus, when he appeared and put himself just in front of the poverty, wars and mess.

Then comes the second group that is called the sorrowful. They are connected with the death of God. Every mystery of the rosary performs here its own fruit. It can be mortification, pardoning of injuries and others.

Mysteries of the holy rosary that are associated with glorious events are connected with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is connected with such fruits as faith, hope and others.

The latest group of fruits

Today’s rosary mysteries have four groups. The latest was added at the beginning of the 21st century. When they were added, the society didn’t like new mysteries. The believers thought that they are not necessary, they were rejected first of all. Nevertheless, today’s rosary mystery has already four groups. The pious thought that they changed the right relations between the number of mysteries and the psalms corresponding to them.

Every mystery of the rosary is important for a religious person. He must know the rules on how to pray on them. There are even special days when a believer can pray to this or that rosary. All the people who are devoted to the church know these days and strictly follow these rules. If we ask them what are the mysteries of the rosary, they will answer that it is a special ceremony.

It is a special way of meditation, when a person puts his thoughts and ideas together to realize his presence in the current world. But at the same time, they are rather widespread among other religions. They can also be found in Buddhism. In Hinduism and Islam, they also exist. But they have special meanings in each form of religious presentation.

For example, in Islam a typical rosary consists of 100 beads. They include three groups. In Hinduism there are 108 beads. So, the number of them varies but not greatly. It proves the fact that all the religious directions are connected and have the common roots. The notion of rosaries is important, as a lot of young people are trying to be religious, but they don’t know the simplest notions. They must be taught about their history and the way to pray on them.

St. Jude Thaddaeus history and facts

Who worships St. Jude?

All around the world, the name Jude is synonymous to the word betrayal. As according to the Bible, it was exactly Jude who betrayed Jesus Christ. However, it is not a widely known fact that Iscariot was not the only student of Jesus Christ. Jude of James, the Apostle was not only a follower of Christ’s teaching, but it is also believed that he was a Jesus’s sibling brother.

St. Jude Origins

Saint Thaddaeus was a son of Saint Joseph and was of a noble origin, as his bloodline goes to the King David of Israel and Judah himself. His name is derived from the name of James the Just. Jude picked this name because he considered himself unworthy to be the brother of the Lord. As many others, he did not believe in the divine origin of Jesus Christ and did not recognize his powers and the link to God. When Saint Joseph returned from Egypt to Israel, his children started to carve up these lands between each other. The rights of Christ on these lands were not recognized by his brothers, because he was immaculately conceived; hence, he did not share the same bloodline and was not considered as their brother. St Jude was the only one successor, who acknowledged Jesus and divided with him their lands. After some time, he believed in the divine origin of Jesus Christ and became one of his disciples. St Jude still could not deal with the fact that once, Jesus Christ, as well as his brothers, pursued his self-interest. Therefore, Jude claimed that he cannot be considered as a brother of God and decided to change his name.

There’s another Jude also mentioned in the Bible. So, in order to avoid confusion, St Jude was referred to as St Jude Thaddeus, which means one who praises.

In the aftermath of the horrible Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Thaddeus went into pilgrimage around different countries in order to spread Jesus’ teaching. He visited Judea, Edom, Galilee, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia and Arabia.

During his pilgrimage, Thaddeus visited Persia where he conveyed the Epistle of James (which is mentioned in the Bible). This small Epistle (one chapter) tells about the existence of good and evil angels, how the soul of every person stands the Final Judgment, and opens the secret of teaching about the Holy Trinity. Thaddeus in his Epistle tries to show the people the right way of life: to pray, to love and care about people around and not to back down on your faith. He was instigating people to commit good and just deeds, and to follow the commandments in order to have a pure soul.

Thaddeus met his fate in the City of Ararat, Armenia. During his pilgrimage many people became his disciples and followed his teaching. When he reached Armenian lands, local priests found out about him. They didn’t want to have a spreader of a new religion in their lands, so it was decided that Jude should be tracked and killed. St Thaddeus suffered a terrible death: he was subjected to cruel torture, then he was crucified and his body was pierced by numerous arrows.

Relic of Saint Jude is now placed in the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Elijah’s Monastery in Odessa.

Who can address Saint Thaddeus in prayer?

By the means of prayer a person can communicate with God and the saints: ask them for help and protection, thank them for all the good he has and find repose and hope. It is considered that every Saint is responsible for a specific aspect of Life: healing, family happiness and so on. St Jude Prayer helps those who:

  1. Got confused and cannot find a way out of a particular situation.
  2. Looks for consolation and help in dire times.
  3. To get rid of the defamation.
  4. To heal a terrible sickness.

Before praying to the Apostle-martyr, calm down, don’t get distracted and concentrate on the text of the prayer. Believe in everything you pronounce and be sincere. Then, your prayer will be heard.

What is the difference between Catholic and Protestant churches

Christianity is, first of all, a monotheistic religion, as all believers worship one God. However, there are still differences, and they relate primarily to the different branches. This concerns mainly Protestants and Catholics. The difference between Catholic and Protestant lies not only in terms of the religious ceremonies, but extends much further. Before a believer decides to join one of the confessions, it is necessary to find out where exactly the differences lie.

How did Protestant and Catholic views originate?

If you are determined to find the answer to this question, then you have to turn to history. First of all, the appearance of the Catholic Church is associated with the Pope. The first Pope was St. Pin, since that time the Papacy has been counting down.

It is known from history that the Catholics appeared during the Roman Empire, which was led by Constantine. The Bible was amended during that period. This was done in order to interpret the creeds in favor of the powerful Roman Empire. Whereas the primary goal of the religion was to create monotheism, so Christ had to be placed at the head of everything.

History of emergence of Protestantism

Just like in Catholicism, there was also a leader. He was Martin Luther, who expressed disregard toward the performance of duties by priests. Despite the fact that there are such opinions that Martin Luther made an attempt to reform the church, in fact, this is not entirely true. He remained a representative of Catholicism until the end of his days.

Most of all he expressed his protest against priests who misinterpreted the concept of indulgence. Many tried to turn this religious practice into their own material profit, which especially annoyed Martin Luther. His desire was to cleanse the church of dirt.

The main differences in beliefs

First of all, there is a necessity to explain the difference between Catholic and Protestant Bible. Although in this case it is not entirely correct to talk about the difference, since the same sacred book is given for believers of both branches of Christianity; each confession still interprets Bible in its own way.

However, there are still slight differences, and one of them is that the Protestant Bible consists of 66 books, while the Catholic version includes 77 books. In general, differences in beliefs can be summarized in the following concepts:

  1. Protestantism opposes a number of sacraments, which they perceive as rites.
  2. Adherents of Protestantism never pray to saints, including Saint Mary.
  3. The lack of monasteries and the monastic denomination itself. However, a person can simply maintain chastity.
  4. The structure of the church is different from the traditional Orthodox. The arch of the building is crowned with a steeple, not a dome.

In general, despite the existing contradictions and different interpretations, all branches of Christianity recognize a single deity. No matter who you are, a Catholic, or a Protestant, in any case, you carry a saving faith for humans.

At the beginning of the XXI century, there were about 800 million protestants in the world, and their number keep growing year by year.

Today, about 100 states consider protestant ideas as dominant in their country. Such a great number of adherents is caused by the long history of this confession, since the foundation of Christianity had been laid by the Roman Catholic beliefs. Furthermore, a number of churches have the state status in the various countries and are actively supported by the state; some have even achieved the status of an “official church”.

How to choose a jewelry chain

How to choose a jewelry chain, and is it an accessory or a luxury item after all?

If you have ever been to a jewelry store, then you just could not help but pay attention to the large variety of goods, among which there are jewelry chains. This, in fact, is a unique accessory, as it can serve as a great complement to the necklace, or the pendant. Unarguably, such piece of jewelry could adorn the neck of any woman, of course, if you selected the right jewel. At this point, the question arises on the matter of the fitting jewelry chain types.

Emphasis on choosing, what is necessary to know?

It may happen that a young lady would feel lost in the jewelry shop surrounded by indescribable beauty around her. If the purpose of the visit is to acquire a necklace, then it is better to get to know in general which types of necklace chains exist.

In terms of the metal from which it is produced, a problem is unlikely to arise. Usually, the choice is limited exclusively to silver or gold. However, each material has its own characteristics. If we talk about gold, then it may depend on the type of purity of gold, which indicates the amount of precious metal in its composition. That is one of the characteristics according to which types of chains differ from each other.

How not to present a male jewelry to a woman?

Despite the spread of the feminist and equality movement throughout the modern world, jewelry is still differentiating on male and female types. It is important to understand that in this case everything depends on the weaving in which the jewel is made. Particularly this feature is forming neck chain styles.

Three main weaving techniques inherent in female jewelry are traditionally distinguished, among them are:

  1. Perlina;
  2. Singapore;
  3. Love.

However, it does not restrict the variety of possible executions of this jewelry. Types of gold chains depend on the weaving style and can be performed in below mentioned variants:

  1. Bismarck is one of the most expensive types, as it is usually performed manually. Due to its name, we can conclude that this style is called after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.
  2. Shell — the main feature of this design is the arrangement of links in the same plane, the so-called shell effect is created when all the elements get adjoined to each other.
  3. Anchor — in this case, the peculiarity of weaving is that it resembles a chain that holds the anchor on the sea and river vessels.
  4. Nonna — perhaps it’s the most controversial name among all. Despite the female name, jewelry with this method of connection is most often worn by men.

Gold chain styles also depend on which chain is used at the core. It can be either an integral option or a hollow one. Here you need to understand that a hollow thread looks more solid and expensive, but in fact that’s not exactly true. The weight of such jewelry is usually fewer, and, consequently, its cost is much lower as well.

What is the optimal length of a necklace?

Chain styles may also vary based on its length. In turn, the length affects the price of the jewel. Here are the options:

  1. 40 cm;
  2. 45 cm;
  3. 50 cm;
  4. 55 cm;
  5. 60 cm.

Thus, everyone has the opportunity to choose the most suitable for them necklace chain styles. The shortest option suits best a woman, who wants to attract attention. The jewelry of this length is always visible despite cleavage style of a dress or blouse. And the largest length is most suitable for men.

Well, the final step in the choice of jewelry is the different chain links. Here you have to be as careful as possible in order to make the right choice. A good lock should be comfortable and, at the same time, durable. The most reasonable option would be a round or a carbine lock.

All saints of North America – How orthodox religion reached NA

How did the Orthodox religion reach North America?

Many people wonder how Orthodoxy and North America can be connected. In order to answer this question, you need to look back in historical events of a certain period. More precisely, we have to move to the middle of the XVIII century. This is a transitional period for the spread of religion in North America.
It began with Alaska, which was sold to the US a century later. However, looking back in the development of Orthodoxy history, it is important to mention the Reverend Herman. In spite of certain difficulties and obstacles in the local population educating, just he managed to lay the Orthodoxy foundations in Alaska. It is thanks to Herman that we can talk about all saints of North America Orthodox Church.

The most revered religious persons in North America

One of the most famous and the latter representative on the list is St. Mardarius. He was the most famous since he was canonized as one of the latter. This event happened in 2015.
His appearance in the US was dated 1917, when he was sent to serve as head of the Serbian spiritual mission.
But let’s look at the earliest representatives of the Orthodox Church in the US. One of the first ascetics was Juvenal, who was called Jacob Govorukhin over the world. What is more, he was one of those who took part in the local population baptism in Alaska.
Alexy Tovt was a bright Orthodox Church representative at the end of the 19th century. He began his ministry in Minneapolis. And he was elevated to the rank of saint in 1994.
This is not all the canonized North America saints. Take or leave it, they have made the greatest contribution to the religious development in the United States. Among other figures distinguish:
1. Holy Martyr Alexander Khotovitsky
2. Saint Tikhon of Moscow
3. Holy Martyr Basil Martysh
4. Rev. Brendan of Clonfert, Herman of Alaska
5. St. Innocent of Alaska; John of Shanghai and San Francisco and several others

Holy places of North America

Among the most revered places, the Orthodox distinguish the monastery of all saints of North America. This holy place is located in Canada in British Columbia. By the way, it was founded in 1973. Today the monastery abbot is Hagumen Lazar. Currently, there is one worship per month in Church Slavonic.
In any case, not only this place is a tourist Mecca for believers. There is another town in the United States, which is famous for its large churches and temples concentration. Of course, we are talking about Albuquerque. You’re absolutely right, the famous city where the series “Breaking Bad» episodes were shot, so that’s why it’s popularity increased. But why are religious people so eager to get there? The answer is quite simple. Some of the most favorable conditions for various religious denominations have been created here.It’s necessary to mention that all the saints of North America in Albuquerque revere one place that stands out from the rest. It means the Orthodox Church of all the saints of North America. Currently, the church’s Pastor is Nikolai Miletkov, and George Sondegaard is the priest. Factually, it was founded in 1993. Nowadays, it is the Orthodoxy center in Albuquerque. Orthodoxy has been developing in these territories since the 18th century. Who would ever have thought, but the church’s Pastors had to fight for their rights and defend their views. Fortunately, the modern picture is different, nobody stopping to be a representative of a particular denomination, due to which there is a combination of different religions in the world.

What is the role of the archangel Uriel in human life?

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Before responding to this question, it is necessary to find out who is archangel Uriel? If we request the interpretation of the name Uriel, which comes from the Ancient Greek, then it will be translated as “God is light.” Actually, he is known just like the others in Christian culture. Recently, the archangel Uriel is often mentioned towards the esotericism.

What is known about the Uriel?

Among the most famous facts about the archangel Uriel, mentions the following:
1. He is strict in relation to the judgments on God;
2. He serves as a creative inspiration;
3. He is considered one of the main archangels in Judaism and Christianity.
If you have seen his image earlier, then you pay attention that the archangel Uriel color is red. There is a fire in his hands, which symbolizes a jealousy attitude towards God. By the way, the interpretation of the image was not always unambiguous since he was often portrayed as both male and female.

What to ask Uriel?

Actually, any person who believes in God can ask him for help. However, it is important to remember that he will help somebody if the archangel is responsible for this sphere. It’s necessary to say that the archangel Uriel symbol is education. Those people who devote their lives to the science and study can ask him for help. Pupils, students, teachers can count on his help by contacting through prayer.

What is Archangel Uriel meaning?

Firstly, he patronizes everyone who is involved in science and education. It means that pupils, students, teachers and scientists can ask Uriel for help in studying, teaching and they always be heard. In addition, he also helps creative people to find inspiration. Secondly, Uriel is considered one of the defenders of Russia.

Uriel’s serial number in the hierarchy

To begin with that there is a certain hierarchy of saints in Christianity. Believers revere 7 archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Yehudil, and Barahiel. All of them differ from each other in their purpose and occupy a certain place in the hierarchy. By the way, the strongest and most important is Mikhail. But what is the archangel Uriel number in this hierarchy? Uriel is mentioned fourth in the scriptures, taking a middle position in this hierarchy. On the one hand, he is the faith defender: God has placed him to protect the gates of paradise. On the other hand, he brings “light” and teaching to people. Moreover, he warns and protects them from different troubles and natural disasters.

The Uriel Sigils

Everybody knows that each Saint has its personal sigils and icon. As for the Archangel Uriel sigils, they are the sword (means protection of faith) and the flame (means education).
Despite of Christianity extends to Russia, Europe, and North America, there are no any mentions of Uriel among the all saints of North America. In most cases, representatives of Christianity in America revere their canonized priests or other saints.
Archangel Uriel silver pendant is very popular for a gift, it comes with set of 6 orthodox icon cards of Archangels, you can buy it in our store.
No wonder, religious motives, saints’ faces, angels, etc. are often used by tattoo artists to decorate the human body. Officially, Archangel Uriel tattoo is quite popular among people. Some people get tattoo with sigils, others with archangel face, or even with biblical stories.
To cut long story short, everything depends on the person’s fantasy and desire. Wonderfully, that if a person gets a tattoo with Uriel in the heart area, it speaks of a great loss and worries. It’s like the believer just asks for protection and peace in such a difficult period in his or her life.

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What gives you registration

By registering on our website, you get the opportunity to use additional services and bonuses. You will save time when you visit the site again, since you do not need to enter your personal data every time. You will be able to view the history of your orders, as well as save the “Favorites”. You will have access to discounts and promotions, secret sales, available only to registered users. You can also take part in the prize draw of the “Andija” prizes. To register, you need to fill out a form with personal data in the section “Registration”. Data marked with an asterisk are required. Only one account can be added to one email address.

When registering, you need to define your user ID (login – in the form of an email address) and enter the password. On subsequent visits to our store, you will be recognized by the “login-password” data set.

If you have any questions, you can always contact us:

Warranty and delivery

WARRANTY

If the decoration does not fit the color, size, style, etc. the seller is not obliged to take it back or exchange it;

If a product was found to have a manufacturing defect, which is subsequently confirmed by an examination, it is subject to return.

The warranty period for our products is 14 days. In the event of a manufacturing defect, we will exchange the product or refund your money.

DELIVERY

Our store is part of the Andija Orthodox International Corporation, which has warehouses in Latvia, Estonia, Greece, and Russia. Free shipping worldwide is made by registered air mail with a bar code to track the location. Deadline 5 – 20 working days.
We also send United Parcel Service – express delivery. Dates and costs are calculated individually depending on the weight and country of destination. The terms of delivery of the UPS are agreed in advance.

What is wedding rings

In antiquity, the betrothal rite and the Mystery of the Wedding were separated in time. But now the engagement and the wedding take place in the same service. During the wedding, the bride and groom change their rings three times, the groom has a golden ring, and the bride has a silver one.

In a marriage consecrated by the Church, a man and a woman enter into a mysterious relationship (which is why marriage is called a Sacrament), which, according to the word of the Apostle Paul, are likened to the communion of Christ and the Church. The husband accepts the image of Christ, and the wife accepts the Church. Therefore, gold corresponds to a husband, that is, the color of the Divine Glory of Christ and the Heavenly Jerusalem, and silver to a woman as a symbol of purity, spiritual light and grace.

Are there special crosses for men, women and children

History knows certain periods in the history of nations, when distinctions were made between men’s, women’s, and children’s crosses. For example, such beliefs existed among some Old Believer communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. But all this must be attributed to local customs, and not to the rules of the Church.

Canonically, in the Orthodox Church there is no distinction between crosses in age and sex, since “in Christ there is no Hellen, no Jew, no man, no woman,” according to the Gospel. But since crosses are honored and produced in the most diverse forms and in iconography, no one forbids himself and his child to choose a cross, guided by personal ideas and tastes. There are no separate baptismal crosses. You can be baptized by any canonical cross.

The difference of the Orthodox cross from the Catholic

Of all Christian denominations, only in Orthodoxy and Catholicism are crosses and icons revered. Catholics worship a cross of the same shape: a four-pointed with an extended vertical crossbar. In Orthodoxy, revered crosses are very different. Unacceptable for the Orthodox Church is not the shape of the Catholic cross, but the image of Jesus Christ on it.

Catholics depict Christ as dead, heavily sagging, sometimes with blood on the face, from wounds on the arms, legs, and ribs (stigmata). In addition, the legs are nailed by one nail. In Orthodoxy, on icons and crosses, in principle, they never and never depict just a body. The icon of the saint, in the first place, is the image of his glorification. Jesus Christ is portrayed everywhere as the almighty God, and the saints as they stand before Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. The body shell on the icons is only a symbol of the immortal image in Heaven.

Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He resurrected afterwards, and that He suffered not from powerlessness, but voluntarily out of love to people: to teach us to cherish an immortal soul; so that we too can rise and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion, this Easter joy is always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches his arms, as if embracing the whole of humanity. He is not a dead body, but God.

In addition, the Orthodox Byzantium kept the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross. And it was precisely known that there are four, not three. Therefore, on the Orthodox crosses of Christ’s feet are nailed with two nails, each separately.

Can I buy crosses as a gift?

Pectoral cross woocommerce-1100519-3855873.cloudwaysapps.com/shop Since ancient times it has been considered a good gift timed to a special event in a person’s life. In contrast, the usual gift – it is always the desire of God’s blessing. Even if a person already has a cross, you can give him another. Religious persons, for example, decided to give crosses, reliquaries and icons. As a gift any canonical cross can fit both men and women. If the buyer is looking for a special cross for baptism or another holiday, hurry to dissuade him: believers always wear crosses, no matter what day it is: holiday or everyday.

Buying a cross for himself, a person should be guided only by personal taste and choose what he will have for his heart. Many people like, for example, when icons of revered saints are placed on the cross, some like it, when the cross is at the same time a reliquary, to someone closer are simple and concise forms.

A good gift for friends and relatives is the small icon. This may be the image of the patron saint of a person chosen by name given in baptism, or an icon of the Mother of God. Kazan, Tikhvin and Vladimir icons are especially honored by the Orthodox. These images are addressed with a prayer for loved ones, asking for protection in their personal lives, help in business and health promotion. And of course, they are worn as protection from the action of dark forces. Many saints are the advocates and assistants of man, especially revered by the Great Martyr. George the Victorious, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, of sv. Ksenia Blissful and others.

How to choose a cross

The pectoral cross is not a piece of jewelry. No matter how beautiful it is, from whatever precious metal it is made, it is first and foremost a visible symbol of the Christian faith.

Orthodox pectoral crosses have a very ancient tradition and therefore are very diverse in appearance, depending on the time and place of manufacture. The traditional Orthodox cross has an eight-pointed shape. Honoring the cross, love for it is manifested in the richness and diversity of its ornaments.
The body crosses have always been distinguished by their variety, both in the choice of the material from which they were made – gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber, – and their form.

Therefore, when choosing a cross, one should pay attention not to the metal from which the cross is made, but to whether the shape of the cross corresponds to Orthodox traditions.

Why wear a body cross

The pectoral cross (in Russia it is called the “vest”) is entrusted to us in the sacrament of baptism in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Who wants to follow me, reject yourself, and take your cross and follow me” (Mark 8, 34 ). The pectoral cross helps to endure illness and hardship, strengthens the spirit, protects from evil people and in difficult circumstances. The cross “is always for believers there is a great power that cures from all evils, especially from the evil of invisible enemies,” writes holy righteous John of Kronstadt.

During the consecration of the pectoral cross, the priest reads two special prayers in which he asks the Lord God to pour the power of Heaven into the cross and to keep this cross not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers, sorcerers, from all evil forces. That is why on many body crosses there is an inscription “Save and save!”.

What should be a body cross

These questions are often heard from buyers, and some of them quite categorically assert that “the correct cross is only with the Crucifixion”, or, on the contrary, that “in no case can you depict the Crucifixion on the cross,” etc.

In fact, for more than two thousand years of history, the Orthodox Church knew a variety of crosses. And with the Crucifixion, and without it, and in general without any image. Also, by the way, can be said about the form. The crosses were both four-pointed, and equilateral, and eight, and seven, and six-pointed, in the form of a quatrefoil, a quadrifolia, a circle, a swastika, a trident, anchors, monograms of Christ, etc.

For Orthodoxy, form is only a visible expression of content. And the symbolic content of the pectoral cross is a four-part world, all ends of the earth and sky, united in God. The image of God is most often represented by Christ Himself, it does not matter – Crucifixion, or an icon, the main thing – not dead, but alive (see. The difference between the Orthodox cross from the Catholic). But it can also be through a symbol: a cross, a circle, a trefoil, the Tree of Life, letters.

Types of church products

Today, in jewelry stores, churches, monasteries and Orthodox shops, there are a variety of wearable crosses that are offered for purchase by Orthodox believers. The church does not prohibit such a variety of forms. You can find simple four-pointed crosses, there is a complicated symbolic form, complemented by images of saints, and they are made in the form of reliquaries, that is, miniature boxes with tightly closed doors. All these forms have their long history of development in church art.

In addition to the crosses, the jewelry industry produces a wide variety of pendants in the form of small breast icons, or, as they are called, small figurines. They depict the glorified miracles of the icon of Christ, the Mother of God and the revered saints. The tradition of wearing miniature icons on the chest was developed in Byzantium in ancient times. Originally, the images were cut from stone and resembled antique cameos. The enamel and relief cast images were placed only on the covers of reliquaries. But already in the 10th century, the first pendants appeared with images of saints, cast of precious metals and decorated with sculptural reliefs, enamels and stones. Then the first cast icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary began to be made in Russia.

Now the scapulars are sometimes called “amulet”. This is not entirely true. Initially, special bags with frankincense or any shrine were worn with the cross on the neck. Later, thanks to the belief in the special effect of incense on an evil spirit (“runs like the devil from incense”), so began to call amulets from “evil eye” and “damage”. But the icon can not be an amulet. This is a superstition alien to the Orthodox tradition. Orthodox people believe that it is not the icon itself as an object that possesses effective force in the icon, but the saint who is depicted on it.

More and more often in the shops you can also see beautiful security rings. This is not a fad. Such products have a very ancient history, dating back to the first centuries of Christianity. Quite a few guard rings made in Byzantium survived. They depict saints, inscribed special protective prayers, sometimes with mention of the name of the owner.

Since ancient times, guard rings have been used to protect against evil forces. They protected themselves, and also used to seal the most valuable and expensive things. It was such rings in antiquity that they got engaged and married, as if calling the saints depicted on them, to witness the purity of the love of spouses and to the guardians of their marriage. Later, wedding rings began to appear with special inscriptions, but the tradition of getting married with rings depicting saints never disappeared.

From ancient times, the ring itself was perceived as a protective symbol because of its shape – a closed endless enclosure. The rings were worn on the most vulnerable places: on the lower back (belt), on the fingers (rings), on the wrists (bracelets), on the temples (temporal rings, woven into the hair). If the Orthodox jewelry industry has mastered the rings for a long time, then bracelets with prayers have appeared only recently. On the inside or outside of such “security” bracelets are placed the protective prayers: “Live in help,” “God rise,” and “Jesus prayer,” which believers from time immemorial were worn to protect them from demonic attacks.

Crosses, reliquaries, images and guard rings have always been not only religious symbols, but also exquisite jewelry. However, in the XX century in Russia, this tradition was lost. Now there is a clear trend towards the return of the ancient attitude to religious jewelry, the revival of the aesthetics of piety.

Silver care

Gold-plated silver is 925 silver of the sample (an alloy containing 92,5% pure silver and 7,5% copper or other metals), which is coated with gold. Before cleaning gold-plated silver, remember that no abrasives, even the softest, can be used.
First of all, to protect jewelry from contamination and damage, they should be removed during homework, as well as when using cosmetic products: bleaching creams, soaps, perfumes, acetone.
Do not store silver in boxes made of cardboard, as the packaging is also capable of emitting, for example, sulfur, which adversely affects silver.

In order for the gilded silver to remain for a long time as new, the products must be carefully looked after. Cleaning should be carried out at regular intervals, not allowing products to be covered with green or gray bloom.
Instead of alcohol for cleaning gilded silver, you can use table vinegar. Apply vinegar in two ways. The first is to dilute 2 tablespoons of 8% vinegar in one liter of water, place the product in the solution for 15 minutes, rinse with running water, wipe with chamois. The second way is to dilute two tablespoons of 8% vinegar in a glass of water, moisten a sponge, wipe the products, wipe dry and clean with suede.
Wine spirit copes well with the darkening on gold-plated silver and is also perfectly safe for gilding. Moisten a cotton pad, wipe the product, process the suede cloth to shine.
Completely green objects can be cleaned with a soap solution with the addition of a few drops of ammonia. On a liter of warm water 1, add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 liquid ammonia to 6. Soak items for 30 minutes, rinse with running water, dry, rub to a shine with a soft cloth.
Gold-plated silver is corrosion resistant and combines the lightness and low price of silver with a high-quality gold plating and its incomparable brilliance.
Silver is quite rare in the earth’s crust and belongs to the group of rare precious and noble metals. Gold and platinum also belong to this group.
Pure silver is very soft, malleable and ductile metal. According to the ability to change shape under the influence of the load

when silver is destroyed, it surpasses gold and thanks to this quality it is widely used for making jewelry. The greatest value in everyday life is the extreme sensitivity of silver to the effects of hydrogen sulfide. Usually, sulfur compounds are the cause of the darkening of silver products. There are many sources of hydrogen sulfide around us, from food to construction materials to which silver reacts.

 

Orthodox jewelry history and modernity

From historical times to our time, the tradition to wear all kinds of jewelry on the face and body has been preserved. From the very beginning, it was perceived as special charms that are able to protect us from all sorts of evil, including the atrocities of the devil among the Orthodox.
The very first decoration that a child receives when he takes the side of the Orthodox Church is a cross on his neck, as a symbol of baptism and attitude towards the Orthodox Church. This is the very first gift to us from our parents. Now he will protect us from evil throughout our lives.
In ancient times, only rich and noble people could afford jewelry, as the work of a jeweler was valued very expensive, and the metal itself is important. Since that time, little has changed, jewelers are also valued, and precious metals are becoming more and more expensive every year, but this does not make Orthodox jewelry less popular. Every self-respecting parent is obliged to donate a treasured cross for the baptism of his son or daughter.
In ancient times and at the time of the baptism of Russia, it was fashionable to wear things of a religious nature. These must be things of really precious metals, and in addition to this, they are also consecrated in the church building. It could be gold pendants in the form of Easter eggs or the icon of the Mother of God. It is believed that these decorations were not only fashionable squeaks, but also a kind of talisman from diseases and bad weather. Only rich people could afford such a decoration.
Another excellent decoration was considered to be precious rings of a religious nature. Usually such jewelry was made of silver and gold with a lot of precious stones. It was from those times to the present day that the fashion for Orthodox jewelry came to be. Now the art of jewelers is observing its peak of development and therefore all types of jewelery are at a level better in quality as compared to historical ones.

If you like to buy such a religious decoration, you should contact the store. www.woocommerce-1100519-3855873.cloudwaysapps.com.
Here you can find really beautiful Orthodox jewelery at a reasonable price and with decent quality. With such decorations, nothing threatens you. The catalog is lined with jewelry made of gold and silver for men and women. Here you can find rings, pendants, earrings, worn crosses and bracelets for every taste.