Thin Waxed Prayer Rope with Beads – Mount Athos

Description

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

The prayer ropes are woven according to a tradition that dates back centuries. One of the earliest forms of a prayer aid was likely the gathering of small stones or seeds and 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 tie simple knots in a rope and use it during his daily prayer “rule.” However, the devil would untie the knots, thwarting the poor monk’s efforts. Then an Angel appeared and taught the monk a special knot, as it is now formed in the prayer ropes, consisting of successive crosses. The devil could not undo these knots due to the presence of the crosses.

With the help of the prayer rope, short prayers can be recited, such as the prayer of the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” the prayer to the Theotokos: “O Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or other brief prayers to the guardian angel, individual saints, or all the saints. A common 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(s) of people we wish to pray for, the prayer rope can also be used for intercessions on behalf of others. The same applies to prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant.”