www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Want to know the real significance of Olive Wood Rosary?

After my trip of Israel, I offer olive wood Rosaries to my friends and family. Recently got a chance to buy it online from Holy Land Artifacts [holyland-artifacts.com] but now I want to know the real significance of Olive Wood Rosary in our community? Please share your views on it..

There are diverse reasons why people like olive wood rosaries, crucifixes, or other religious objects. From my understanding the manufacture of these objects has been a source of income for Palestinian Christians for many generations. Also the wood used is pruned from ancient olive trees which possibly have been around for thousands of years. I have an olive wood rosary that I have carried for a long time. Also these items can make very nice gifts for holidays or special occasions. I also have a rosary made of olive pits, although I believe this one is from Rome and not the Holy Land.

Although not directly related to the rosaries or carvings, olive oil plays a significant part in our worship. It is used in various unctions, and burned in oil lampadas at home or in church.

Best wishes;
Stefan-Ivan

The Palestinian Christians will carve devotionals from olive wood branches in the Garden of Gethsemane in particular and this practice has been going on for centuries.

Olive wood of this kind is very significant because it is from the place where our Lord, God and Saviour prayed. When the Romans found out that Christians were making pilgrimages to the Garden of Gethsemane, they burned the entire olive grove down. But olive trees grew from the seeds of those that were burned and so they are their arboreal descendants . . . Olive wood is also significant because of the symbolic connection of olive oil to the Mercy of God, Divine Blessings etc. The Greek term "Eleison" is founded on "Elei" or "oil." When we pray the Jesus Prayer or just "Lord have mercy," another way to understand it is "Lord anoint me with Your Healing Oil." Olive oil is used for sacramental anointing as Stefan-Ivan has stated and it was always considered a symbol of joy which is why the Eastern Churches direct Christians not to cook with olive oil during fasting days.

Alex

The Palestinian Christians will carve devotionals from olive wood branches in the Garden of Gethsemane in particular and this practice has been going on for centuries.

Olive wood of this kind is very significant because it is from the place where our Lord, God and Saviour prayed. When the Romans found out that Christians were making pilgrimages to the Garden of Gethsemane, they burned the entire olive grove down. But olive trees grew from the seeds of those that were burned and so they are their arboreal descendants . . . Olive wood is also significant because of the symbolic connection of olive oil to the Mercy of God, Divine Blessings etc. The Greek term "Eleison" is founded on "Elei" or "oil." When we pray the Jesus Prayer or just "Lord have mercy," another way to understand it is "Lord anoint me with Your Healing Oil." Olive oil is used for sacramental anointing as Stefan-Ivan has stated and it was always considered a symbol of joy which is why the Eastern Churches direct Christians not to cook with olive oil during fasting days.

Alex