I am going to get on the soapbox here to discuss a modern phenomenon to the Serbian Orthodox people. Prayer ropes as the trendy pseudo friendship bracelets of the future. *note the sarcasm
Recently at our first annual Serb-Fest a woman who I will refer to as a "twice a year" (most of you out there know what I mean) decided to open up a little booth, like an Orthodox bookstore, with things she had bought while in South Chicago at Narrow Path Serbian Orthodox bookstore. It contained various items, like books and quaint little mugs that say "Serbia", and on the middle of the table was a basket full of the prayer ropes that you can wear on the wrist.
Half the day was passed and I think she must have sold at least 15 of the prayer ropes! Pink ones, red ones, black ones, white ones, not even wool but what seems to me to be some cheap kind of synthetic nylon material. Some of them even had cheesey little beads in the middle. All at 10 bucks a pop.
Anyway, this teenage girl I know form the Sunday school came up with money wanting to buy one so bad only to find they were all sold out. She expressed her feelings to me saying how upset she was so I naturally asked, "why do you want one?"
"But they're so cool, don't you see? EVERYBODY'S wearing them!" she sighed.
I then proceeded to ask her if she knows what they are for, and she looked at me puzzled, like "as if they really have a purpose". I told her everything I know about prayer, and the prayer of the heart, The Way of a Pilgrim, and she looked at me with this dumbfounded look.
You see, it seems as though the prayer rope has, unfortunately, become the sort-of friendship bracelet of the future, and lost all meaning to a perverse generation of "trendies". The more and more I look, everybody here IS wearing them, from Serbs to Greeks to cradle Orthodox guys and girls as a sign that they're "going steady".
It's sickening.
On a recent trip to Tarpon Springs, a very large Greek community here in Florida, every gift shop was selling them with the Florida magents and other goofball souvenirs, I even found an ELASTIC prayer rope. I am convinced that somneone has a big prayer rope factory in Taiwan where they make them for 50 cents and sell them here for 10 dollars. It's almost driven me to the point of putting my wrist one away for a big 100 knot Serbian monastic one I can store in my purse. Yes imitation CAN be the greatest form of flattery, but not when there is no thought or meaning behind it.
It's too bad head scarves can't catch on like prayer ropes!
Hate to rant but couldn't resist.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Tessa
