Thin Waxed Prayer Rope with Beads – Mount Athos

Description

The tradition of prayer ropes dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest forms of prayer aids may have been the collection of small stones or seeds, moving them from one point or container to another during the “rule” of prayer or the “rule” of small or large prostrations. It is also said that a monk once decided to tie simple knots in a rope and use it in his daily prayer rule. However, the devil would undo the knots, frustrating the monk’s efforts. At that point, an angel appeared and taught the monk a special knot, made up of repeated crosses, which the devil could not undo due to the presence of the crosses.

With the aid of the prayer rope, short prayers can be recited, such as the prayer of the tax collector: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner,” the prayer to the Theotokos: “O Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or other brief prayers to the guardian angel, specific saints, or all saints. A typical form of these prayers is: “Holy Angel – or Holy (name), pray for me.” By modifying these short prayers to “have mercy on us,” “pray for us,” or by including the names of those for whom we wish to pray, the prayer rope can also be used to pray on behalf of others. The same applies to prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant.”

Note: The bead colors vary and are randomly selected.