Athonite Prayer Rope – Thin, Waxed with Beads

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 goes back through the depths of the centuries. One of the earliest forms of prayer aids may have been the gathering of small pebbles or seeds, which were moved from one place or container to another during the course of 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 during his daily “rule” of prayer. However, the devil would untie the knots from the rope, thwarting the poor monk’s efforts. Then an Angel appeared and taught the monk a special knot, as it is now formed in prayer ropes, consisting of successive crosses. The devil could not untie these knots because of 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: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner”, the prayer to the Theotokos: “O Most Holy Theotokos, save us”, or other short prayers to the guardian angel, specific saints, or to all the saints. The usual form of such a prayer is: “Holy Angel, or Holy (name), pray for me”. By turning the words of these short prayers into “have mercy on us” or “pray for us” or by including the name or names of people for whom we want to pray, we can also use the prayer rope for intercessory prayers for others. The same applies for prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of your servant”.