Athonite Prayer Rope for the Hand – Thick Weave

Description

The prayer ropes are woven according to a tradition that dates back to ancient times. Perhaps one of the earliest forms of a prayer aid was the gathering of small pebbles or seeds, and moving them from one spot or container to another during the “rule” of prayer or the “rule” of small or great prostrations. There is also a story of a monk who thought to make simple knots in a rope and use it during his daily prayer “rule.” However, the devil would undo 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 undo these knots due to the presence of the crosses.

With the help of the prayer rope, short prayers can be said, such as the tax collector’s prayer: “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 the saints. The usual form of such a prayer is: “Holy Angel,” or “Holy (so-and-so), pray for me.” By turning these short prayers into “have mercy on us” or “pray for us” or by including the name or names of people for whom we wish to pray, we can also use the prayer rope for intercessions for others. The same applies to prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Your servant.”

Origin: Mount Athos