Woven Children’s Prayer Rope – Mount Athos

Description

The Athonite prayer rope for the hand is thin, discreet, and waxed for greater durability, with beads in various colors.

Prayer ropes are woven according to a tradition that dates back to the depths of history. One of the earliest forms of a tool to aid in prayer was 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. There is also the story of a monk who thought to make simple knots in a rope and use it in his daily “rule” of prayer. However, the devil would undo the knots from the rope, thwarting the poor monk’s efforts. An angel then appeared and taught the monk a special knot, as it is now formed in prayer ropes, consisting of consecutive crosses. The devil could not undo these knots due to the presence of the crosses.

With the help of the prayer rope, one can say short prayers, such as the prayer of the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” the prayer to the Theotokos: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or other short prayers to the guardian angel, specific saints, or to all saints. A typical form of such a prayer is: “Holy Angel” or “Holy (name), intercede for me.” By transforming the words of these short prayers into “have mercy on us” or “intercede for us,” or by including the name or names of those for whom we want to pray, we can additionally use the prayer rope for intercessory prayers for others. The same applies to prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant.”

*The bead colors vary and are randomly chosen.