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[[Image:Chania - Kathedrale - Marienikone.jpg|right|thumb|''Tamata'' (votive offerings) placed in front of an icon of the [[Theotokos]] in the Cathedral of [[w:Chania|Chania]], [[Archdiocese of Crete|Crete]].]]  '''Votive Offerings''' ({{el icon}}: τάμα ''' ''Tama'' ''' (''"vow"''), pl. τάματα ''' ''Tamata'' ''' (''"vows"'')),<ref group="note">Synonym: {{el icon}} Όρκος ''' - ''Orkos'' ''' (''Oath, Vow'').</ref> ({{la icon}}: ''' ''[[Imagew:Tricherousa.jpgEx-voto|rightEx Voto]] Suscepto,'' ''' (''"from the vow made"'') or ''' ''Ex Votos'' ''') refers to those things that are [[w:Vow|thumb|Wonderworking icon of vowed]] or dedicated to [[God]], the [[Theotokos]], "The Three-handed". The third hand or a [[saint]], and are in silver is a votive offering given consequence looked upon as being set apart by Stthis act of [[consecration]], and as an expression of reverence and thanksgiving.  They can be grouped into three different types of offerings including: (a) votives consisting of actions or material things that are vowed to [[God]] (or promised to the [[Theotokos]] or to a [[John of DamascusSaint]] for their intercession with God), in thanksgiving return for a hoped-for [[miracle.]]; (b) votives offered in thanksgiving for already-answered [[Image:Chapel of St. James IMG 0495.jpg|right|thumb|Icon of the Virgin Mary prayer]]s; or (c) votives given in the Chapel of St. James in the thanksgiving for [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)w:Blessings#Christianity|Church of the Holy Sepulcherblessings]], with various votive offerings attachednot asked for.<ref name=FISH>''[http://www.fisheaters.com/votiveofferings.html Votive Offerings]].'' '''Fish Eaters'''. Retrived 2012-11-19.</ref>

'''Votive Offerings''' (Greek: τάμα ''' ''Tama'' ''', pl. τάματα ''' ''Tamata'' '''; Latin: ''' ''[[w:Ex-voto|Ex Voto]] Suscepto,'' ''' ''"from the vow made"'') refers to those things that are [[w:Vow|vowed]] or dedicated to [[God]], the [[Theotokos]], or a [[saint]], and are in consequence looked upon as being set apart by this act of [[consecration]], and as an expression of reverence and thanksgiving. Traditionally the [[w:Spiritual practice|spiritual practice]] of making vows that are sealed by the votive offering has been common among the faithful in the [[Orthodox Church]], particularly in the [[Greek Orthodox]] Church.

The making of vows is a pious [[wImage:Spiritual practiceChapel of St. James IMG 0495.jpg|right|thumb|spiritual expressionIcon of the [[Virgin Mary]] that was a customary practice among in the Chapel of St. James, in the ancient Greeks<ref group="note">See: [[w:W. H. D. RouseChurch of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|WChurch of the Holy Sepulcher]], with various votive offerings attached. H. D. Rouse]]. ''The making of vows is a pious [[httpw://www.archive.org/details/greekvotiveoffer00rousiala Greek Votive Offerings: An Essay in Spiritual practice|spiritual expression]] that was a customary practice among the History of Greek Religion]ancient Greeks and Hebrews.'' Cambridge<ref group="note">See: The University Press, 1902Dr. [[w:W. 463ppH.</ref> and HebrewsD. The [[Holy Scriptures]] refer to the making of vows in several instances includingRouse|W. H. D. Rouse]]. ''[http: Genesis 28:20-22,<ref group="note">//www.archive.org/details/greekvotiveoffer00rousiala Greek Votive Offerings: An Essay in the History of Greek Religion].''Cambridge: The University Press, 1902. 463pp.</ref> The idea is very old and springs from man'Genesis 28:20-22's instinctive attitude towards the higher powers.<ref>Jarrett, Bede. ''"[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15509a.htm Votive Offerings]. "Then Jacob made a vow saying, "If the Lord God will be with me'' '''The Catholic Encyclopedia'''. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, and keep me in this way I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, and bring me back in safety to my father1912.</ref><ref group="note">See:<br> * {{fr icon}}: [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Dhorme Édouard Dhorme]. ''"Choix des textes religeux assyro-babyloniens"''s house. XXXVII, Paris, then the Lord shall be my God1907. And this stone I set as a pillar shall be God* [[w:Aristotle|Aristotle]]. ''s house to me, and of all You give me I will surely give a "[[tithe]w:Politics_(Aristotle)|Politics] to You]".'' [[w:Politics_(Aristotle)#Book_VII|VII]], xii." "</ref> Numbers 6:1-21 In relation to the worship of Ancient Israel,<ref group="note">'''Numbers 6the term [[w:1-21'''. '''Law Concerning Vows.''' "Now Korban|Korban]] (offering) was used for a variety of sacrificial offerings described and commanded in the Hebrew Bible, including the Lord spoke to [[Mosesw:Korban Olah|Korban Olah]], saying, "Speak to the children of (burnt offering) and [[w:Korban Pesach|Korban Pesach]] ([[IsraelPassover]], and say to them, 'When either a man or woman vows an extraordinary vow to sanctify himself as one sacrifice).<ref group="note">There were four types of purity to these offerings - almost like archetypes. The first is the LordKorban Olah, he shall separate himself from wine and intoxicantsor "the whole burnt offering"; the second kind of sacrifice is the Mincha, the Meal Offering; the third category is the Hatat, the Sin Offering; and shall not drink any wine and vinegar made from winethe fourth category was a thanks-or peace-offering, and any vinegar made from intoxicants; neither shall he drink anything made from grapesthe exact opposite of a sin offering.<br>:*<small>Shlomo Riskin. ''"SACRIFICES FROM THE HEART."'' '''The Jerusalem Post'''. March 30, 1990, nor eat fresh grapes or raisinsFriday. All the days </small></ref> These types of offerings can be categorized as being of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin[[w:Propitiation|propitiatory]] or thanksgiving type. All <ref group="note">"A korban ("sacrifice" in Hebrew) is connected to the days of his vow of purification no razor shall come upon his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he vowed word karov ("near") - or getting close to God. And how did sacrifices bring Jews close to God? Every day in the Lord; he shall be holy. Then he shall let Temple, besides the locks twice-daily offerings, there would be offerings by individuals experiencing special moments of the hair of his head growjoy and thanksgiving for having been saved from death. All the days of As soon as a person digs into his vow own pocket to the Lord pay for an offering, he shall not go near sacrifices his own wealth for an idea, a dead bodybelief, an emotion. He shall not defile himself even The offering is a way for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because the vow the offerer to say: "Who am I to receive such good fortune? I don't deserve it!" His actions are in sharp contrast to those who claim: "My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth." (Deut. 8:17) Instead, he's able to look beyond his God is on own power and might and direct his head. All gaze toward the days of his vow he shall be holy to the LordOne orchestrating it all."<br>:*<small>Shlomo Riskin. But if anyone dies very suddenly near him on the spot''"HUMILITY IS REWARDED WITH GREATNESS".'' '''The Jerusalem Post'''. March 15, 1991, Friday.</small></ref>  Greek Christians in Byzantine times also practiced the head sacrificng and roasting of his vow shall be defiled; and he shall shave his head on animals as ''"[[Kourbania]]" (Kurbans),'' in particular during the day celebration of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it. Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons ecclesiastical festivals. However, specifically relating to the [[priest]], to the door making of '''vows''', the tabernacle of testimony. The the priest shall make one a sin offering and the [[Holy Scriptures]] contain several other a whole burnt offering and make atonement for himreferences including:<br>:* [[Genesis]] 28:20-22, concerning which he sinned in regard to the corpse; and he shall sanctify his head that day. He shall sanctify to <ref group="note">'''Genesis 28:20-22'''. "Then Jacob made a vow saying, "If the [[Lord the days of his vow]] [[God]] will be with me, and bring a male lamb keep me in its first year as a trespass offering; but the former days shall be null this way I am going, and void, because the head of his vow was defiled.<br>Now this is the law of vowing: When the days of his vow are fulfilledgive me bread to eat and clothing to put on, he and bring me back in safety to my father's house, then the Lord shall be brought to the doors of the tabernacle of testimonymy God. Then he shall offer his gift to the Lord: one male lamb in its first year without blemish And this stone I set as a whole burnt offeringpillar shall be God's house to me, one ewe lamb in its first year without blemish as and of all You give me I will surely give a sin offering, one ram without blemish as a peace offering, a basket [[tithe]] to You." "</ref> :* [[Book of unleavened bread of fine flourNumbers|Numbers]] 6:1-21, prepared with oil, and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and their grain offering with their drink offering<ref group="note">'''Numbers 6:1-21'''. '''Law Concerning Vows. Then the priest shall bring these things before ''' "Now the Lord and offer his sin offering and his whole burnt offering; and he shall offer spoke to [[Moses]], saying, "Speak to the ram as a sacrifice children of peace offering to the Lord[[Israel]], with the basket and say to them, 'When either a man or woman vows an extraordinary vow to sanctify himself as one of unleavened bread; purity to the priest Lord, he shall also offer his grain offering separate himself from wine and intoxicants, and his shall not drink offering. Then the one vowing shall shave the head of his vow at the doors of the tabernacle of testimonyany wine and vinegar made from wine, and any vinegar made from intoxicants; and neither shall he shall put his hair on the firedrink anything made from grapes, which is under nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. All the sacrifice days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the peace offeringgrapevine, from seed to skin. Then All the priest days of his vow of purification no razor shall take come upon his head; until the boiled shoulder of days are fulfilled for which he vowed to the ram, one unleavened loaf from Lord; he shall be holy. Then he shall let the basket, and one unleavened cake, and put these upon the hands locks of the one vowing, after he has shaved the head hair of his head grow. All the days of his vow; and to the priest Lord he shall bring these things as not go near a deposit offering before the Lord; dead body. He shall not defile himself even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they are holy for the priest[[Death|die]], together with because the breast vow of his God is on his head. All the deposit offering and the thigh days of his vow he shall be holy to the choice portionLord. After that, the one vowing may drink wine.' This is But if anyone dies very suddenly near him on the law of the one vowingspot, who vows to the Lord his gift to the Lord concerning head of his vowshall be defiled; and he shall shave his head on the force day of his vow is not limited to what cleansing; on the seventh day he could afford regarding his vow, which he vows according shall shave it. Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the [[priest]], to the law door of purity." "</ref> Deuteronomy 23:22-24,<ref group="note">'''Deuteronomy 23:22-24'''. " "If you should make the [[Tabernacle (biblical)|tabernacle of testimony]]. The the priest shall make one a sin offering and the other a vow to the Lord your Godwhole burnt offering and make atonement for him, you shall not delay concerning which he sinned in regard to pay itthe corpse; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be [[sinand he shall [[Sanctification|sanctify]] his head that day. He shall sanctify to you. But if you should abstain from vowing, it is not the Lord the days of his vow, and bring a sin to you. That which proceeds from your lips you shall keep and do male lamb in its first year as a trespass offering; but the manner you vowed your gift to the Lord your God; that which you spoke with your mouthformer days shall be null and void, because the head of his vow was defiled." "</refbr> Judges 11Now this is the law of vowing:29-39When the days of his vow are fulfilled,<ref group="note">'''Judges 11:28-39'''he shall be brought to the doors of the [[Tabernacle (biblical)|tabernacle of testimony]]. '''Jephthah's Vow'''. "Then the Spirit of he shall offer his gift to the Lord came upon Jephthah: one male lamb in its first year without blemish as a whole burnt offering, and he passed through Gilead and Manassehone ewe lamb in its first year without blemish as a sin offering, and passed by the lookout one ram without blemish as a peace offering, a basket of unleavened bread of Gilead; fine flour, prepared with oil, and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced beyond the sons of Ammonunleavened cakes mixed with oil, and their grain offering with their drink offering. And Jephthah made a vow to Then the Lord and said, "If You deliver the sons of Ammon into my hand, then it [[priest]] shall be that whoever first comes out of bring these things before the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, Lord and offer his sin offering and his whole burnt offering; and he shall be offer the Lord's. I will offer him up for a whole burnt ram as a sacrifice of peace offering." So Jephthah advanced toward to the sons of Ammon to fight against themLord, and with the Lord delivered them into basket of unleavened bread; the priest shall also offer his grain offering and his handdrink offering. And he struck them from Aroer until he came to Arnon, twenty cities in number, as far as Abel Keramim, with widespread destruction everywhere. Thus Then the one vowing shall shave the head of his vow at the sons doors of Ammon were subdued before the sons tabernacle of Israel.<br>When Jephthah came to testimony; and he shall put his house at Mizpahhair on the fire, which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering. Then the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one unleavened loaf from the basket, behold his daughter came out to meet him with drums and dancesone unleavened cake, and she was his only child. He had no other son or daughter. And when he saw herput these upon the hands of the one vowing, after he tore his clothes has shaved the head of his vow; and saidthe priest shall bring these things as a deposit offering before the Lord; they are holy for the priest, "Ah, ahtogether with the breast of the deposit offering and the thigh of the choice portion. After that, my daughter! You have troubled me greatly! It the one vowing may drink wine.' This is you the law of the one vowing, who are my trouble! For I have opened my mouth against you vows to the Lord his gift to the Lord, concerning his vow; and I cannot go back on it." So she said the force of his vow is not limited to himwhat he could afford regarding his vow, "My father, if you have opened your mouth which he vows according to the Lordlaw of purity." "</ref> :* Deuteronomy 23:22-24, do to me as it came from your mouth, because the Lord has avenged you on your enemies, the sons of Ammon.<ref group="note"<br>Then she said '''Deuteronomy 23:22-24'''. " "If you should make a vow to her fatherthe [[Lord]] your [[God]], "Let my father do this one thing you shall not delay to pay it; for me. Leave me alone for two months to wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity along with my companions." So he saidLord your God will surely require it of you, "Goand it would be [[sin]] to you." And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her companionsBut if you should abstain from vowing, and bewailed her virginity on the mountainsit is not a sin to you. And at the end of two months she returned to her father, That which proceeds from your lips you shall keep and he carried out do in the vow he manner you vowed, and she knew no man. And it became a custom in Israel that the daughters of Israel went four days each year your gift to lament the daughter of Jephthah the GileaditeLord your God; that which you spoke with your mouth." "</ref>Ecclesiastes 5:* [[Book of Judges|Judges]] 11:429-39,<ref group="note">'''Ecclesiastes 5Judges 11:428-39'''. "Better not to vow than to vow and not pay."</ref>Acts 18:18,<ref group="note">'''Acts 18:18Jephthah's Vow'''. "So Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and [[Apostle PaulPrayer of Manasseh|PaulManasseh]] remained a good while. There , and passed by the lookout of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he took leave advanced beyond the sons of Ammon. And Jephthah made a vow to the brethren Lord and sailed for Syriasaid, "If You deliver the sons of Ammon into my hand, and Priscilla and Aquila ''were'' with him. He had ''his'' hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow."<br>:(''The vow Paul makes is likely a form then it shall be that whoever first comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, he shall be the [[w:Nazirite_vow#Nazirite_vows_in_the_Hebrew_Bible|Nazirite vowLord]]] (Nm 6:1-21) given in thanksgiving 's. I will offer him up for deliverance from dangera whole burnt offering.'')</ref> and Acts 21:23-24.<ref group="note">'''Acts 21:23-24'''So Jephthah advanced toward the sons of Ammon to fight against them, and the [[Lord]] delivered them into his hand. "Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with themAnd he struck them from Aroer until he came to Arnon, and pay their expenses so that they may shave ''their'' headstwenty cities in number, as far as Abel Keramim, and that all may know that those things of which they with widespread destruction everywhere. Thus the sons of Ammon were informed concerning you are nothing, but ''that'' you yourself also walk orderly and keep subdued before the lawsons of [[Israel]]."</refbr> It is for this reason why they have been preserved in ChristianityWhen Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, behold his daughter came out to meet him with drums and dances, and she was his only child.<ref name="GERMANOS">MetrHe had no other son or daughter. Germanos II (Holy [http://www.ecclesiaAnd when he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Ah, ah, my daughter! You have troubled me greatly! It is you who are my trouble! For I have opened my mouth against you to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it.gr/greek/dioceses/Eleias/Eleias" So she said to him, "My father, if you have opened your mouth to the Lord, do to me as it came from your mouth, because the Lord has avenged you on your enemies, the sons of Ammon."<br>Then she said to her father, "Let my father do this one thing for me. Leave me alone for two months to wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity along with my companions." So he said, "Go." And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. And at the end of two months she returned to her father, and he carried out the vow he vowed, and she knew no man. And it became a custom in Israel that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite."</ref>:* [[Psalter|Psalm]] 49:14-15,<ref group="note">'''Psalm 49:14-15''', "Offer to [[God]] a sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of affliction, and I will deliver you; and you shall glorify Me."</ref>:* Ecclesiastes 5:4,<ref group="note">'''Ecclesiastes 5:4'''. "Better not to vow than to vow and not pay."</ref>:* [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 18:18,<ref group="note">'''Acts 18:18'''. "So [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] remained a good while. There he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila ''were'' with him. He had ''his'' hair cut off at [[w:Kechries|Cenchrea]], for he had taken a vow."<br>:(''The vow Paul makes is likely a form of the [[w:Nazirite_vow#Nazirite_vows_in_the_Hebrew_Bible|Nazirite vow]] (Nm 6:1-21) given in thanksgiving for deliverance from danger.'')</ref> and :* Acts 21:23-24.<ref group="note">'''Acts 21:23-24'''. "Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave ''their'' heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but ''that'' you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law."</ref>  It is for this reason why they have been preserved in Christianity.<ref name="GERMANOS">{{el icon}} Metr. Germanos II of [http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/dioceses/Eleias/Eleias.html Metropolis of Ilias and Oleni], Greece). Ilias and Oleni]. ''Errors and Truth: Refutation of Various Errors and Superstitions.'' '''[[Apostoliki Diakonia]]'''Errors and Truth: Various Errors and Superstitions.'' [[Apostoliki Diakonia]], 01/01/1990. 142pp. (''In Greek'')</ref>

In general terms a votive offering or tama may be offered at the [[icon]] or [[shrine]] of a [[saint]], as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, and as a fulfillment of their intended vow or promise. They are also offered in gratitude for a [[prayer]] or vow that has already been answered, or in thanksgiving for blessings received that were not asked for.

<blockquote>"The vow usually takes the form of a commitment by the offerer to present some material gift to the supernatural benefactor if the benefactor grants the supplicant's particular request. Moreover, it is the making of the vow prior to the offering itself that, in the minds of [the faithful], distinguishes the votive offering from such other forms as the [[w:Propitiation|propitiatory ]] or thank offering. While votive offerings are sometimes made in other situations of crisis or uncertain control such as the opening of a new business or the confrontation of one's son with the vagaries of the military draft, most frequently votives are employed in response to illnesses for which no other cure can be found. Promises and subsequent offerings are directed toward individual or local [[Patron saint|patrons]], or toward saints believed to be especially powerful in dealing with certain maladies, such as the [[Theotokos|Panaghia]] (Virgin Mother) who is frequently called upon to aid in conception or childbirth, or Saint [[Paraskevi]] who is regarded as especially efficacious in treating afflictions of the eyes."<ref name=TESKE>Robert T. Teske. ''Votive Offerings and the Belief System of Greek-Philadelphians''. '''Western Folklore.''' Vol. 44, No. 3, Healing, Magic, and Religion (Jul., 1985), pp. 209.</ref></blockquote>

===Forms===[[File:Paraskevi-votive.jpg|left|thumb|An icon of Saint [[Paraskevi]], considered to be a healer of the blind, with Tamata hung beside it.]]These votive offerings constitute an extremely varied list. However the most common forms of Tamata in Orthodox usage usually take the form of small metal plaques, which may be of base or precious metal, usually with an embossed image symbolizing the subject of the prayer for which the plaque is offered. A wide variety of images may be found on tamata, which lend themselves to multiple interpretations, whether it be straightforward or more metaphorical. A Thus, a heart may [[Symbolism|symbolize ]] a prayer for love, or a heart problem. Eyes may indicate an eye affliction; hands or legs may indicate maladies of the limbs; a pair of [[Marriage#Office_of_crowning|wedding crowns ]] may mean a prayer for a happy [[marriage]]; a torso, for afflictions of the body, and so forth.

<blockquote>The offerings themselves usually fall into one of three broad categories: (1) representations of the individual offerer, especially small gold- or silver-plated [[w:Effigy|effigies ]] of the bodily part to be cured...which are hung before the [[icon]] of the benefactor; also candles the height or weight of the beneficiary; or (2) personal valuables such as necklaces or rings; (2) , some of which are later melted and used as adornments for the icon of the supernatural invoked, especially the gold or silver plating of parts of the icon such as the [[Mandorla|halo ]] or hands; and (3) humbling acts taken up by votants in the service of the benefactor, especially crawling up the steps of a particular church, begging in behalf of the saint's church, or working for the church community in some self-effacing capacity.<ref name="TESKE"/></blockquote>

As the contractual nature of the vow implies, most offerings are made only after fulfillment of the offerer's request by the [[saint]], and the actual presentations are made almost secretively, with no ostentation. The presentations occasionally take place in the presence of the offerer's immediate family, and often without the knowledge of the local [[priest]].<ref name="TESKE"/> [[Pilgrimage]] sites often include shrines that are decorated with many tamata.

One ===Notable Examples===[[Image:Tricherousa.jpg|right|thumb|Wonderworking icon of the most famous Orthodox votive offerings historically is that by Saint [[John of DamascusTheotokos]], "The Three-handed". According to tradition, while he was serving as Vizier to the Caliph, he was falsely accused of treachery and his The third hand was cut offin silver is a votive offering given by St. Upon praying in front of an icon of the [[TheotokosJohn of Damascus]] his hand was miraculously restored. In in thanksgiving, he had for a silver replica of his hand fashioned and attached it to the iconmiracle. This icon, now called "[[Panagia Tricherousa|Tricherousa]]" or "Trojeručica" (''The Three-handed'') and is preserved at [[Chilandari Monastery (Athos)|Chilandari MonasteryPilgrimage]] on sites often include [[Mount Athosshrine]]s that are decorated with many tamata.

According to Metropolitan Germanos II (Paraskevopoulos) of the Holy [http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/dioceses/Eleias/Eleias.html Metropolis of Ilias and Oleni] in Greece, this is a subject however which is prone to much misinterpretation by Christians, who are thus removed from the true meaning of making vows, and therefore cause more harm to themselves than good.<ref name="GERMANOS"/> For example, several people are of the opinion that [[God]] and the [[Saints]] will grant their petition simply because they make a vow in an of itself. This is an error, because the Saints are not in need of our material goods, nor do they require a vow to be made before our [[prayer]]s are heard by them. The Lord said ''"...when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him"'' ([[Apostle Matthew|Matthew]] 6:7-8). It is enough that we have a strong [[Symbol of Faith|faith]] and a pure heart and live a Christian life, and that our requests should me made for our spiritual well being.<ref name="GERMANOS"/>

For exampleFurthermore, several people are of the opinion way that certain vows are made comes across as making a bargain with God . For example, ''"Saint [[Paraskevi]], please heal me and the Saints I will grant their petition simply because they make bring you a vow in an of itselfgold candle"'', or ''"God please help me with my exams and I will bring you..."''. This is an error, because denigrates God and lessens the Saints are not in need personality of our material goodsman at the same time, nor do they require a vow to be made before while also making manifest our prayers are heard by themlack of faith.<ref name="GERMANOS"/> In Dr. Teske's field study of the Greek-American community of Philadelphia, he observed that::"The Lord said [[Clergy|clergymen]] of the community, who personally demonstrate varying degrees of appreciation for the practice, uniformly allowed that the [[Orthodox Church]], while tolerating the persistence of the ''tama''"...when you pray, do does not use vain repetitions as encourage it, due primarily to the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard possibility of it being taken for their many wordsa form of bribery. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows Such accusations and luke-warm tolerance have had an effect both upon the practice itself and upon the things you have need attitudes of before you ask Himthose who favor it."<ref>[http://www.elmbrookrotary.org/attend_a_meeting/speaker_details.html?item=44 Robert T. Teske]. '' ([[Apostle Matthew|Matthew]] 6http:7//books.google.ca/books?id=ybtCi-TuYbgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Votive Offerings among Greek-8)Philadelphians: A Ritual Perspective]. It is enough that we have a strong faith and a pure heart and live a Christian life'' Ayer Publishing, and that our requests should me made for our spiritual well being1980. pp.10-11.</ref name="GERMANOS"/>

FurthermoreIn addition, according to Elder [[Paisios (Eznepidis)|Paisios of Mount Athos]]::"I also see a new craftiness in the way [[devil]]. He causes people to think that certain vows if they make a vow to God and fulfill it, if they go on some [[pilgrimage]], then they are made comes across as alright spiritually. You see hordes of people going to [[Monasticism|monasteries]] and [[shrine]]s with tall candles and extravagant offerings, ostentatiously making the [[Sign of the Cross]], even weeping a bargain with Godlittle, and feeling content. For example They do not [[Repentance|repent]], ''"Saint do not [[ParaskeviConfession|confess]], please heal me do not correct or change their way of life ... and I will bring you a gold candlethis is quite pleasing to the [[devil]]."<ref>Elder [[Paisios (Eznepidis)|Paisios of Mount Athos]]. ''[http://www.alexanderpress.com/downloads/Paisios%203%20blurb%204C2.pdf Spiritual Counsels, or Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle].'' '''Holy Monastery "God please help me with my exams and I will bring you...Evangelist John the Theologian"'''. This denigrates God and lessens the personality of man at the same timeSouroti, Thessaloniki, Greece, while also making manifest our lack of faith2010.</ref name="GERMANOS"/>

This is why careful attention is required if one is making vows. They should be of a spiritual nature to help with the purity of the soul and the holiness of one's life, because ''"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."'' ([[Apostle John|John ]] 4:24]]).<ref name="GERMANOS"/>

The primary message that the votive contains and transmits would appear to be man's dependence upon and subservience to the will of [[God]], and God's concern for man and occasional susceptibility to his influence. This notion is neatly packaged in the relation of the material or behavioral offering of the individual community member, to the symbolic locus of the offering's presentation, the Orthodox church. The [[Church architecture|Orthodox church building]] has long been recognized as a [[Symbolism|symbolic ]] representation of the Divine Kingdom, and the pattern of its decoration "has the character of a clear and precise theological system." Within the context of such a large-scale, hierarchically arranged, symbolic representation of the Orthodox cosmology, votive offerings - especially those described above as being primarily representations of the individual - acquire a clear and precise significance. They constitute a means by which man is capable of inserting himself [[Symbolism|symbolically ]] into an equally symbolic representation of the cosmos, a means by which man can express his place in the spiritual world and his relationship to other spiritual beings.<ref>Robert T. Teske. ''Votive Offerings and the Belief System of Greek-Philadelphians''. '''Western Folklore.''' Vol. 44, No. 3, Healing, Magic, and Religion (Jul., 1985), pp. 212-214.</ref> ==Gallery==<center><gallery> File:Gold plaque.jpg|Gold Votive plaque, with the [[Labarum|Chi Rho]] Christogram (''Ancient Roman jewellery in the British Museum, 4th century.'') </gallery></center>

* [[Nazarite]]* [[Consecration]](''setting aside'') 

* [[w:Nazirite_vow#Nazirite_vows_in_the_Hebrew_BiblePropitiation|Nazirite vows in the Hebrew BiblePropitiation]]* [[w:Divine providence|Divine providence]]

<small><references group="note" /></small>

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* [[w:Tama (votive)|Tama (votive)]] at WikipediaDr.*[http://www.newadventelmbrookrotary.org/cathenattend_a_meeting/15509aspeaker_details.htm Votive Offerings]. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1912.* html?item=44 Robert T. Teske]. ''Votive Offerings and the Belief System of Greek-Philadelphians''. '''Western Folklore.''' Vol. 44, No. 3, Healing, Magic, and Religion (Jul., 1985), pp. 208-224.:<small>''(Paper discussing the votive offering as employed by the members of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek-American ]] community of Philadelphia, based on fieldwork conducted between 1972 and 1974)''</small>* Dr. [http://www.elmbrookrotary.org/attend_a_meeting/speaker_details.html?item=44 Robert T. Teske]. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=ybtCi-TuYbgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Votive Offerings among Greek-Philadelphians: A Ritual Perspective].'' Ayer Publishing, 1980. 326pp. ISBN 9780405133251:<small>''(Dissertation in Folklore and Folklife. Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Pennsylvania in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy)''</small>* ''[[w:Tama (votive)|Tama (votive)]].'' '''Wikipedia'''.* Athanasios A. Diamandopoulos and Spyros G. Marketos. ''[http://www.humanehealthcare.com/Article.asp?art_id=475 Votive offerings and other magicoreligious health practices in modern Greece].'' '''Humane Medicine''' 9.4 (1993): 296-302.'''Roman Catholic Sources''' * Jarrett, Bede. ''"[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15509a.htm Votive Offerings]."'' '''The Catholic Encyclopedia'''. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912.* ''[http://www.fisheaters.com/votiveofferings.html Votive Offerings].'' '''Fish Eaters'''. Retrived 2012-11-19.

* Dr. [[w:W. H. D. Rouse|W. H. D. Rouse]]. ''[http://www.archive.org/details/greekvotiveoffer00rousiala Greek Votive Offerings: An Essay in the History of Greek Religion].'' Cambridge: The University Press, 1902. 463pp.'''In Greek'''* [http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9C%CE%B7%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%AF%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82_%CE%97%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82_%CE%93%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%8C%CF%82_%CE%92%CE%84 Γερμανός Παρασκευοπούλος] (Μητροπολίτου Ηλείας). ''[http://www.apostoliki-diakonia.gr/bookshop/Anazitisi.aspx?Titlos=%CE%A0%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%B5%CF%82%20%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9%20%CE%B7%20%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%AE%CE%B8%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%B1 Πλάνες και η Αλήθεια: Αναίρεση Διαφόρων Πλανών και Δεισιδαιμονιών].'' [[Apostoliki Diakonia]], 01/01/1990. 142pp.::<small>Metr. Germanos II (Holy [http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/dioceses/Eleias/Eleias.html Meteropolis of Ilias and Oleni]). ''Errors and Truth: Various Errors and Superstitions.'' [[Apostoliki Diakonia]], 01/01/1990. 142pp.</small>