medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
--- Cecil T Ault <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
> culture
>
> Having lived in Eastern Europe & India and frequented many tea stalls
> and coffee houses, I can make the observation that some of the beads
> in question may not be religious. Many men had (have) a loop of
> beads
> with a tail, which they usually twirl around their thumb but also do
> other fascinating movements while in conversation. They appear to be
> an almost required social hand prop in some places. They were (are?)
> called "worry beads" and have no religious connotations. At least
> that is what I was told when I was there.
Respondeo Oriens:
And righly were you told. Worry beads are widely available in Greece
and Turkey, one an Orthodox Christian country, the other Islamic,but
there doesn't seem to be any difference in the beads. They look at
first glance rather like a western Rosary, but they have no religious
significance. Prayer beads are in use among Orthodox Christians, but
their 'rosary' is very different from the western one, and is usually
made of wool. It is customary to recite the 'Jesus Prayer' on them.
Bill.
=====
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