Description The Athonite prayer rope for the hand is thin, discreet, and waxed for greater durability. 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 collection of small stones or seeds, which were moved from one spot 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 decided to tie simple knots in a rope for his daily prayer “rule.” However, the devil would untie the knots, thwarting the monk’s efforts. Then, an Angel appeared and taught the monk a special knot, as it is now designed in prayer ropes, consisting of multiple crosses. These knots could not be undone by the devil 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: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or other short prayers to the guardian angel, individual saints, or all the saints. A typical form of such a prayer is: “Holy Angel – or Holy (Name), intercede for me.” By adapting the words of these short prayers to “have mercy on us” or “intercede for us,” or by including the names of people for whom we wish to pray, the prayer rope can also be used for intercessory prayers for others. The same applies to prayers for the departed: “Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of your servant.
