Thin Waxed Rosary with Beads – Mount Athos

Description

The Athonite prayer rope for the hand is thin, discreet, and waxed for greater durability.

The prayer ropes are woven according to a tradition that dates back centuries. One of the earliest forms of a prayer aid might have been the gathering of small stones or seeds, which were moved from one place 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 untie the knots and thwart the poor monk’s efforts. Then, an Angel appeared and taught the monk a special knot, which is now seen in prayer ropes, consisting of repeated crosses. The devil could not untie these knots because of the presence of the crosses.

With the help of the prayer rope, short prayers can be said, such as the prayer of the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” or the prayer to the Theotokos: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or other short prayers to the guardian angel, individual saints, or all the saints. The usual form of such a prayer is: “Holy Angel – or Holy (name) – intercede for me.” By turning the words of these short prayers into “have mercy on us” or “intercede for us,” or by including the name or names of people we wish to pray for, the prayer rope can also be used for prayers on behalf of others. The same applies to prayers for the deceased: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant.