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Are Worry Beads a Part of Greek Tradition?

KombologadikoBy Konstantinos Menzel
Worry beads (in Greek kombolói) are considered to be the evolution of Orthodox prayer beads. Their history, according to the experts specialized in the worry beads Greek store Kombologadiko, starts in the East, while some sources reveal that Ancient Greeks used some kind of worry beads.
The first official appearance of worry beads is in Ottoman Greece, after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. In those times, owning worry beads was a symbol of social status and they were found mainly among lords and local Christian notables. Later, their use spread to all social classes, while during the 1950s – 70s they were used by Greek men as a symbol of manliness and toughness. Nowadays, worry beads aren’t associated with any class or symbol. They are just a means for keeping the hands full and are used by Greeks for cutting down on smoking and also to relax, among other things. The most precious worry beads that are also collectibles, were made between the end of the 18th century and 1940.
One of the most special types of Greek worry beads are the faturan, an industrialized material containing a large amount of amber in a perfect dark-red color. Amber, a type of tree resin, is the most popular material for worry beads. The oldest fossilized amber comes from Yemen and is called kahraman. The rarest amber can be found in Santo Domingo and comes in magnificent blue, green and red colors.
Every Kombologadiko store features a great collection of worry beads, suitable for every pocket and taste, even for collectors. Worry beads made from different materials, like semi-precious stones, bones, horns, wood, amber and corals, can be found in a variety of designs.
The history of Kombologadiko starts in the street markets of Moscow, where Chronis Ieropoulos was charmed by amber. Its clarity and feeling of warmth enticed him to buy large quantities and bring them back to Nafplion, Greece, where he created worry beads. At the beginning, his worry beads were sold along with other items in his store. In 1999, he opened a store selling only worry beads.
After a successful course and seeing that the demand for worry beads was high, Mr. Ieropoulos decided to expand his company to Athens by launching four more stores, as well as to the Greek island of Mykonos.
Recently, a new “bead” was added to the chain of Kombologadiko with a new store in Cyprus. Every store contains a small treasure of perfectly fine and well crafted worry beads made with different materials. Everyone visiting Greece should not neglect to look into one store and explore it “bead-by-bead.”

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