Re: info. re: PRAYER BEADS
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In reply to:
info. re: PRAYER BEADS
Lisa Marzonie 4/28/08
There are 2 different types of prayer beads. The string of 14 beads is used by Armenian pilgrimss making the "hadj" to Jerusalem, to pray while following the stations of the cross. These are now popular in Yerevan and easy to purchase. The simplist version is of obsidion beads. In Yerevan they also decorate white beads ans paint designs on them, often inappropriat. Thus the beads may display the images of saints but also the images of pagan gods, the opera house, fedeyee or other irreligious themes. The artists themselves do not use the beads, and see no dissonence in the images.
The other major form is the most popular, a loop of 33 beads in rosary form, similar to those of the old-timers. This is actually an adaption of Moslem prayer beads, who use three cycles of beads to recite the "99 names of God". Most Armenians simply used these as fidgeting devices, and didn't actually pray. If one did pray, one either recited "Der Vorgormia" (Lord have mercy) each time, or used three beads to recite "Kher" (good), "char" (evil), "Astvats" (God) as a repeating mantra. This was a shorthand form meaning "Good comes and passes, Evil comes and passes, but God is eternal". A prayer of reassurance.
This rosary form is not as popular as a tourist gift, as it does not decorate as easily as the string form. People don't seek them as devotional objects today, but simply as pretty tourist souveniers.
More Replies:
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Re: info. re: PRAYER BEADS
Lisa Marzonie 8/24/08
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Re: info. re: PRAYER BEADS
Lisa Marzonie 8/05/08