Prayer Rope with Braided Cross – 33 Beads – Mount Athos

Description

Prayer Rope with 33 Black Beads and Braided Cross

This prayer rope is a genuine monastic craft, consisting of 33 black beads, with a braided cross and a metal element at the end. It is made by the Athonite monks as part of their service, with great care and love. Prayer ropes are the most well-known monastic craft, in keeping with the tradition of Mount Athos. The monks use the proceeds from these prayer ropes and other religious crafts to support their living needs and maintain their cells and monasteries.

Usage of the Prayer Rope
A prayer rope typically consists of 33 or 100 beads, though it can also have 200 or 300 beads. It is an essential prayer tool for monks, clergy, and laypeople alike. Specifically, each time a prayer is said (usually short), one bead is counted. This allows the user to track the number of repetitions or the passage of time during prayer.

According to Christian tradition, prayer ropes originated with Saint Pachomius around 320 AD. The saint sought a way to help the monks focus during their prayers. One night, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream and showed him how to create the prayer tool that would assist in prayer. Thus, the prayer rope was created as a gift from God to the people.

Length: 25 cm
Cross Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 cm
Origin: Mount Athos