Prayer Rope – 33 Beads – Mount Athos

Description

Prayer Rope with 33 Beads in Black Color and Cross with Blue Bead

This particular prayer rope is a genuine monastic handiwork. It consists of 33 black beads, and at the end, there is a black woven cross decorated with a blue bead. It is made by the monks of Mount Athos as part of their service, with great care and love. It is characteristic that prayer ropes are the most well-known monastic handicraft, as per the tradition of Mount Athos. The monks use the proceeds from the sale of prayer ropes and other handicrafts to support their livelihood or maintain their cells and monasteries.

Prayer Rope: Use

The prayer rope typically consists of 33 or 100 beads, though it can be larger with 200 or 300 beads.

It is an essential aid for prayer for monks, clergy, and laypeople alike. Specifically, each time a prayer (usually short) is recited, one bead is counted. This helps track the number of repetitions or the passage of time.

According to Christian tradition, prayer ropes originated with Saint Pachomius around 320 AD. Specifically, Saint Pachomius began seeking a way to assist the monks in their concentration during prayer. One night, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream and showed him how to create a tool that would serve the needs of prayer. Thus, the prayer rope was created as a gift from God to humanity.

Length: 32.5 cm

Origin: Mount Athos