Prayer Rope – 33 Beads – Mount Athos

Description

Prayer Rope with 33 Beads in Grey Color and Cross with Grey Bead

This prayer rope is a genuine monastic handmade item. It consists of 33 beads in grey, and at the end, there is a grey woven cross adorned with a grey bead. It is made by the monks of Mount Athos as part of their ministry, with great care and love. It is characteristic that prayer ropes are the most well-known monastic craft, as reflected in the tradition of Mount Athos. The monks use the proceeds from these prayer ropes and other monastic crafts to cover their living expenses or fund maintenance works in their cells and sketes.

Prayer Rope: Usage

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

It is an essential aid for prayer, used by monks, clergy, and lay people alike. Specifically, each time a prayer (usually a short one) is said, a bead is counted. This helps to track the number of repetitions or the passage of time during prayer.

According to Christian tradition, prayer ropes have their origins with St. Pachomius around 320 AD. Specifically, St. Pachomius sought a way to help the monks focus during their prayers. One night, the Archangel Gabriel visited him in a dream and showed him how to make the tool that would serve the needs of prayer. Thus, the prayer rope was created as a gift from God to humankind.

Length: 32.5 cm

Origin: Mount Athos