Ludanka - what is it, how to wear and what it gives?

In ancient times man felt defenseless before the world around him. Nature was not only a good ally for him, but also a cunning enemy. Diseases, wars, crop failures and famine threatened incalculable misfortunes. And especially terrible were the darkness, the spirits of the night, ghosts and demons, which it was not so easy to cope with. As an effective protective tool, an ancient man wore an incense around his neck. The darkness of centuries has swept over the planet for a long time. However, even in our advanced era of computers and the Internet, no, no, and you will see a cherished bag on someone's neck, next to the cross.

What is an incense

Polotnyany, canvas, silk or satin, on a rough cord, thin rope or chain, hidden on the chest, this bag was worn under the clothes and noble secular beauty, and the royal noble blue blood, and plowman laborer, from dawn to dusk, watering his field later . Such different people nevertheless believed that they would save them from many troubles and misfortunes, they would save the incense. What is it, we found out. But what is the content of these bags? Here you can conduct a whole study.

Magic Item

Even at the time of paganism, there were various amulets and amulets that people tried to keep with them. These were sorcerer's and shaman's objects, mixtures of aromatic herbs, tinctures, elixirs and many other things that human superstition elevated to the rank of the absolute. In general, it was for magical purposes that a falcon was invented. That this is the strongest guardian, whose action is not limited to time, no one doubted. The main thing was to fill it correctly. In the course were the bones of animals and birds, dried frogs' feet and snake skin, claws and teeth of predators. Or "magic" stones (in ancient times those, for example, were considered magnets), which included some precious and semiprecious stones. This is how the incense looked in general before the Christian times. What kind of amulet is this, what function did it perform for different peoples? Many books have been written about it by ethnographic experts.

Christian Times

With the spread of Christianity, the contents of the frankincense began to change. A small church sanctified incense was placed in the inner bag, which was thought to drive away evil spirits, dispels glamor, cleanses the body and soul of a person. By the way, hence the name of the bag: cot. What it actually gave to those who wear it is difficult to say. Most likely, really helped. In addition to the aromatic substance, various sacred objects were sewed into it. For example, copied personally or by monks special, obverse prayers and psalms, small icons depicting Christ, Mother of God, holy martyrs. Patients suffering from bodily ailments, tried to obtain bits of relics of their heavenly patrons or saints, known healing. They, too, were gently sewed into incense. When in the Middle Ages Catholic priests traded indulgences, naive believers tried to keep these absolution of sins in their own pouches.

Special Purpose

In addition to universal, special concoctions were made for men and women. For example, collecting his son, brother, husband for the war, his relatives must have made a guard, where the saving prayers were put. According to legends, they had to protect themselves from arrows and knives, bullets and shells, to distract the trouble during the battle, to promote the rapid healing of wounds. In addition to other common shrines, such orthodox incense was poured on a handful of native land to give the warrior strength physical and spiritual so that he would not forget his father's house and family, his wife. There were other incenses. To a man kept his ardor and reproductive function until old age, special herbs and conspiratorial objects were sewn into it. For women, the appropriate amulets helped to conceive and endure a baby, to be safely removed from the burden, to remain attractive and desirable for the husband. Such an incense on the neck contained prayers to the Mother of God, suitable Dreams of the Mother of God and ritual consecrated or trumped up things.

Home iconostasis

The church people keep at home icons - family, personal. Hang them in the designated for this little corner or put on the shelves. In the old days, this corner was called red. Next to them is an incense church. Usually it is an incense burner, where pieces of incense lie. They are set on fire and fumigated living quarters or left quietly under the images. It is also called tanks where aromatic liquids or oils are poured. Cleansing the air in a house or apartment, this incense helps to establish a special kind atmosphere in the home. However, its function can be performed and the usual porcelain saucer or a small plate.

Attitude to the incense of the servants of the church

This question, it is worth noting, is not even idle. The Orthodox Church will not approve of magic rituals and rituals, amulets and amulets, among which, as already mentioned, the incense is included. Although their name is associated with the church's incense, but in no texts of the Bible, the writings of the Holy Fathers, lifestyles and other religious literature about the frankincense says nothing. There are no decrees, decrees, recommendations and documents adopted in the time of the Ecumenical Councils. There are no data in other church teachings. This is how the priests of Orthodox churches respond to the question of incense. What conclusion does one suggest? That's right, about the pagan nature of these now Christian relics. Therefore, the Church does not bless the wearing of frankincense next to the crosses. But also does not forbid.

Wearing rules

How to wear a frankincense and whether to wear it at all is a private matter for every Christian. It can be an additional shrine, which seems to man a reliable protection against demonic and other evil. The composition of the incense itself is what determines it. Can give her and his family, explaining necessarily that in the actual bag is, how to use it, which saints to pray. Part of the clothes of the martyrs of the saints and their relics, the monastery's consecrated land, pebbles picked up in the Holy Land and many other religious objects containing God's grace are, of course, difficult for the ordinary Orthodox to get. But incense is the most accessible shrine. A bag with him and other relics, as already mentioned, is put on the neck. You can pin it to the underwear. During the water procedures, of course, the incense is removed. Wash the pouch is not recommended. Just in time, transfer its contents to another bag, and use it further. Some people, using the techniques of village magic, after 3 months pass the bag on themselves, part of the incense from it is buried in the territory of the functioning monastery. The church egregore, by connecting to a person, helps him.

May the Lord, the Mother of God and the holy angels guard you with the archangels!