Serbian Rosaries "Brojanice"

By Una Zabunov

Belgrade, Sept. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Praying while using rosaries is one of the oldest ways of prayer, which was particularly cherished by Orthodox monks. The rosaries have a symbolic character as well. With the political and social changes in Serbian society, wearing a rosaries became for many Serbs the expression of their ethnic sentiments and religious beliefs. However, for some young people Rosary became a fashion accessory.
Rosaries are usually black, and they remind the faithful to lead sober and serious life in constant repentance. Rosaries are knitted from pure sheep's wool. Small bracelet rosaries have 33 knots. There are bigger rosaries of 50, 100 or 300 knots.
Today one can find rosaries made of many different materials and in various colors. There are blue, red and even gold rosaries for fitting with the wardrobe. On the wrists of young people we can often see two or three rosaries, which no longer have their true meaning, but are no more than a fashion statement.