Three sets of tzitzit with white and black threads, one set with hooks, on white linen

Tzitzit: What They Are, What They Mean and How They're Worn Every Day

What are tzitzit and what do they mean? See the Bible command, the 613 count, why the strings hang out from under shirts and how tzitzit are worn every day.

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Three sets of tzitzit with white and black threads, one set with hooks, on white linen

Tzitzit: What They Are, What They Mean and How They're Worn Every Day

What are tzitzit and what do they mean? See the Bible command, the 613 count, why the strings hang out from under shirts and how tzitzit are worn every day.

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The Importance of a Rosary Necklace

The Importance of a Rosary Necklace

A rosary necklace hangs around your neck. But it was made to be held and prayed, one bead at a time. The beads count the prayers so your mind can s...
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Anointing oil bottles and jasmine oil packaging displayed on a stone surface with flowers and a Holy Land backdrop.

The Significance of Anointing Oil

The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed King Charles III in May 2023. The oil came from olives harvested on the Mount of Olives. It was consecrated i...
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The History of Armenian Ceramics in Catholicism

The History of Armenian Ceramics in Catholicism

Armenian ceramics pottery in Catholic history is distinctive because it is decorated uniquely with painting. As early as 2,000 BC, Armenia was already making burnished redware of superior quality. Excavations from that era reveal pots and bowls of numerous sizes and shapes.

The diverse range and the quality of Armenian ceramics in the Urartian period are particularly noteworthy. Potters skillfully replicated metallic vessels, such as Erebuni’s drinking cup or the well-known shoe-shaped rhyton.

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Four olive wood nativity ornaments from Bethlehem on a linen cloth with pine and Christmas lights

Nativities Explained: Who's in the Scene, Where It Began and Choosing an Olive Wood Set

What do nativities show, who belongs in the scene and where did the tradition start? Plus how to choose an olive wood nativity set carved in Bethlehem.

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Finding Comfort in Everyday Life With Holding The Cross

Finding Comfort in Everyday Life With Holding The Cross

The journey of life is filled with moments of joy, hope, despair, and pain. Humans – being the sensitive creatures we are – tend to feel elated when something good happens and feel hopeless when something bad happens. Part of the reason why people tend to oscillate between the two extremes is that they do not have an anchor to hold on to during emotional times.

For true believers, the holy cross can be the anchor that provides us with the strength we need during times of turbulence and turmoil and the reminder to be thankful in times of joy.

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Three pairs of handmade biblical-style leather sandals displayed on ancient stone.

The Importance of Sandals During Biblical Times

Leather sandals, or Jesus sandals, are known for their minimalistic elegance, comfort, and durability. The practice of wearing sandals can be traced back to Biblical times. Several references to sandals can be found in the Bible as well as the Tanakh, which indicates that it was customary for early Israelites and Christians to wear sandals.

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Three olive wood covered Jerusalem Bibles with Holy Sepulchre, Messianic Seal and Last Supper covers on a wooden table

Olive Wood Bible: What You Get With a Wooden Bible Cover From the Holy Land

Thinking about an olive wood Bible? See which versions come with a wooden cover, what's inside, how to check it's real and who it makes a good gift for.

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Olive wood cross from Bethlehem with olive branches on a wooden table

The Significance of Olive Wood From Bethlehem

Every piece of Bethlehem olive wood starts as a branch a farmer pruned. The tree stays standing but a carver turns that branch into a cross or a na...
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Three olive wood rosaries with crucifixes, one with a Bethlehem cross and one with a Terra Jerusalem center, on stone

What Is The Significance Of a Wooden Rosary?

Rosaries are available in a variety of different materials – from glass to stone, metal, and crystal. Still, the humble wooden rosary remains the most preferred choice of devout Catholics around the world. Why does wood remain the preferred material for making rosaries? What makes it stand out from the rest? Let us take a look.
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Brass incense burner, hand censer, Bethlehem Amber incense and a charcoal roll on a stone table

What Is an Incense Holder? Names, Meaning and Why Believers Use One

What is an incense holder called, and why do churches and believers use one? See the names (censer, thurible), the Bible verses and how to pick one.

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Three mezuzah cases, olive wood, brass and Messianic Seal, with a rolled scroll on Jerusalem stone

What Is a Mezuzah Scroll? What's Written Inside and How It's Used

What is a mezuzah scroll and what's written on it? See the two Bible passages inside, who writes it, how to roll it and how to spot a kosher scroll.

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5 Common Questions Asked About Mezuzahs

5 Common Questions Asked About Mezuzahs

The mezuzah has long been the symbol of protection in the Jewish faith. Once affixed to the doorpost, the mezuzah protects those who live in the household against all kinds of dangers they might face in their lives. In this post, we will address five of the most commonly asked questions about mezuzahs.
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