These are colourful
parchments made in monasteries to ward off evil from the person who pins them
to their clothes. Not only are they blessed items but they are also worn to
remind a person of their Orthodox Faith.
They contain either:
† flower petals from the Epitaphios carried
on Holy Friday night
† cotton wool with oil and myrrh from church
† pieces of olive branch or basil that have
been used by a priest in some ceremony
† dirt from the grave of a Saint
† burnt candle shavings from a Church altar
The general rule
is that it has to be something from holy ground or something that has been
blessed. Any one item, or a combination, is sewn into a very small, triangular
sachet and sometimes adorned with beads in the sign of the Cross.
They are commonly
seen pinned to the clothes of young babies who have yet to be baptised. However,
even adults wear them discretely.
They can be pinned
to the outside of clothes or held in the person’s pockets.
Historical Story
“Constantinato” were gold medallions that St. Helena had commissioned and named after her son
Constantine. Legend says that these medallions contained wood shavings from the
Holy Cross itself, mixed in with the gold.
Thanks for posting. These are invaluable for understanding our faith and customs.
ReplyDeleteI will make the Christopsomo first time in my life this year