The wearable icon has been accompanying its owners for many centuries, protecting them from troubles, providing an opportunity to pray for support and gratitude to the revered saint.
Pectoral icon in ancient traditions
The tradition of wearing crosses and wearable icons came to Russia along with the Christian faith back in 988.
The wearable icons of saints were the first to be worn by wandering people. The roads in those days were dangerous and long. Therefore, in order not to deprive oneself of the opportunity to pray to a revered image - a symbol of faith and a talisman, they used wearable products.
Icons in those days were made of wood, bone, copper, silver, gold. The choice of material depended on the estate, rank and we alth of the owner.
The richer a person was, the more elegant his wearable icon looked. She was certainly made of precious metal and decorated with expensive stones.
The same rich icons were considered their duty by many clergy, asserting their superiority over God.
The wearable icon was made by hand, sosurviving examples of the 15th-16th century often have a much better appearance than the later period, when mass production came into vogue. Stamped icons often reach us in the form of a polished oval.
Antique wearable icons made after the 16th century were often dedicated to certain events, not specific saints. Own icons were made for students, cadets of military schools: they could depict both the images of the Savior and the patron saints of the educational institution. There were also special officer images.
During the period of atheism in Russia, the tradition of wearing wearable icons was lost and began to be revived only in the last few decades.
Underwear for modern man
In modern traditions, the cross is considered the strongest symbol of faith, but the wearable icon is becoming more and more popular. They wear it as a symbol of faith, either on a separate chain or cord, or together with a cross.
It happens to meet people who wear Holy images as an accessory. This can be treated differently, but perhaps even unconscious wearing can melt the ice of disbelief.
How to choose an icon?
Which icons are more revered at present? Often men wear the image of the Savior, women - the Mother of God, the image of an angel is well suited for children. Personalized icons are revered by many.
In Orthodoxy, there are traditions on special occasions to pray to a certain Saint. Therefore, often the choice of a wearable iconrelated to this.
Nikolay Ugodnik helps on the road, so travelers and drivers often prefer him. For healing from diseases, they turn to Panteleimon the Healer. Very often women wear icons of the Virgin. The choice of icon may also depend on certain conditions. So, they pray to the image of the Seven-shooter, asking for the softening of an evil heart, the Healer - for recovery, Fedorovskaya is considered an assistant in childbirth.
What icons are made of
As in the old days, icons are made from different materials. Everyone can choose the right one. Each material has its own advantages, and each person has their own preferences.
There is an assumption that gold wearable icons are more suitable for men, and silver icons for women. Whether to be guided by this principle is a personal matter for each person.
You also need to take into account the fact that for a child the material of the icon should be light. Men often prefer more massive looks, while women tend to prefer slimmer ones.
Gold and silver wearable icons
At present, the wearable icon is not just a symbol of faith, but also a fashionable piece of jewelry. Wearable icons made of silver or gold are especially popular. Often such products are decorated with small precious or semi-precious stones, painted with enamel. Often, handicrafts turn into real works of art in the hands of craftsmen.
Woodenicons
The birch bark underwear icon is becoming more and more popular. This is due to the fact that it is more affordable, made of environmentally friendly material. In addition, the tree has healing properties. It is pleasant to hold such an icon in hands, it is always warm and has a calming effect on the owner, is light and will not cause inconvenience with its weight.
Other content
Icons made of copper are rare, but still there are lovers of this material. There are very simple icons made of light alloys. They are usually bought for children or the elderly. Such icons are easy, inexpensive. The image of the Saint depicted on the icon does not lose its meaning.
Currently, if you set a goal, you can find craftsmen who will make a wearable icon for you from more exotic materials. If there is demand, there will be supply.
And yet I want to believe that the wearable icon will become, first of all, a symbol of faith for its owner, and not a luxurious bauble to show off.
