Tamata

A tama (plu. tamata) is a votive offering or promise for something to happen when someone requires help or a miracle. They are rectangular pieces of metal (tin, silver or gold) with miniature body parts or other objects shaped on them. The embossed image on the plaque symbolises the subject of prayer (the miracle) for which the tama is offered.

Tamata may be offered at the icon of a saint as a reminder of a faithful person’s particular need or in gratitude for a prayer answered.

They are the vehicle through which someone invests their faith. They are a link between the faithful and the Holy Spirit.

Other offerings include: candles, prosphora, wine, oil, or incense. In addition, many will leave something of personal value, such as jewellery or military decoration as a sign of devotion. Some people leave crutches or walking frames as thanks of being healed.

Saint John of Damascus
One of the most famous tama offerings is that by St John of Damascus.

While he was serving as Vizier to the Caliph, he was falsely accused of treachery and his hand was cut off. Upon praying in front of an icon of the Theotokos his hand was miraculously restore. In thanksgiving, he had a silver replica of his hand fashioned and attached it to the icon.

This wonderworking icon of the Theotokos, now called “The Three-handed” (pictured), is preserved today at Hilander Monastery on Mount Athos.

When does the need arise?
A tama is purchased when the individual or a loved one is ill, lonely, unable to conceive, looking for work etc. In other words, there is no situation which does not require a tama.

Which one to buy?
There is a wide range that can be purchased from a church or monastery. Some of the more common ones are ears, ankles, fingers and houses.

It should be noted one may not find a tama specifically for what they need, however, it is the intention and prayer that defines what is being asked for. The images are capable of multiple interpretations:
Heart – a prayer for love or a heart problem
Eyes – an eye affliction
Hands or legs – maladies of the limbs
Pair of wedding crowns – a prayer for a happy marriage
Torso – afflictions of the body

A good example is that of a young comedian in Greece. The man required a tama for the loss of his sense of humour. The vendor questioned him whether he thought it involved the mind or the heart. The young man was not sure so the vendor gave him a tama of the whole body.

Tin, silver or gold?
The choice of material depends on the person’s faith and how much they can afford. There is no evidence that a more costly tama is more effective.

Which saint?
Deciding which saint is entirely up to the individual. It can be a patron saint, the saint the person derived their name from or a saint the person greatly admires. You can also choose Panagia or Christ – ask a spiritual father for help.

For example, for a miracle involving the eyes/sight leave a tama at a church dedicated or with the icon of St Paraskeva – she is considered to be a healer of the blind.

What to I do with my tama? 
Once a tama has been purchased:
       take it to the church
       light a candle
       tie it with a ribbon to the horizontal pole under the icon, relics or shrine of your choice
       say a prayer asking God or the saint for help
       leave a gift/offering to the church (i.e wine, biscuits, flowers, prosphora etc)

What to do when the miracle occurs
It is also important to thank God and the saint for making the miracle happen.

In Greece, a person hung a tama, offered some koulourakia (round coffee biscuits) and lit a candle at the Panagia church on the island of Andros. When the miracle happened she would send biscuits and money to this church once a year.

This is a wonderful act of thanksgiving, dedication and love to God as it is only He who allows our prayers to come true. By giving gifts to the Church annually it expresses the person’s gratitude to God.

Source: stories from Adrian Vrettos

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