Tears of Virgin Mary bracelet with seed beads

"Tears of Virgin Mary" bracelet

Handmade bracelets with inserts of seed beads are woven by the monks of Mount Athos. The length of the bracelets is either 18, 20 or 22 cm; each consists of "Tears of Virgin Mary" plant grains and 2 plastic beads. Small silver seed beads are placed between them. All bracelets have metal cross woven into it, which makes it not just a piece of jewelry, but a Christian symbol of faith. The cross has an image of Virgin Mary and an inscription Άγιον Όρος (Holy Mountain). Inscription on the back of the cross: Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ Ελέησον με (Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me).

Legend of the Tears of Virgin Mary

"Tears of Virgin Mary" is a unique plant that doesn't grow anywhere else in the world except Mount Athos. Its grains are harvested by the monks of Mount Athos and then used to weave prayer ropes and bracelets.

There is a legend connected with the plant: once upon a time a monk of the skete of St. Anne tried to learn how to weave prayer ropes; the skill was in no way given to him, and therefore he fell into despondency. The monk sat down on the ground and wept. At that moment, the Mother of God herself appeared before him and asked why he was so saddened. The monk told how he had been trying for a long time to master the skill of prayer rope weaving, but no matter how much he tried he could not master it. Then the Mother of God offered him her tears, which she sheds for the monks, in order to plant them in the ground. From her tears a plant grew, the seeds of which could simply be strung on a rope. To this day, monks of Mount Athos grow the Tears of Virgin Mary, using grains to make prayer ropes and bracelets, which are woven with unceasing prayer and for prayer.

Characteristics

Length: 15, 18, 21 cm

Weight: ~8-10 gr

Beads volume: ~9 mm

Base: fishing line

Material: Tears of Virgin Mary, seed beads, metal