Description The Mount Athos waxed prayer rope for the wrist is thin, discreet, and coated for added durability. Prayer ropes are crafted according to a tradition that dates back centuries. One of the earliest known methods to aid in prayer involved gathering small stones or seeds and moving them from one spot or container to another during the “rule” of prayer or a series of prostrations. Another story tells of a monk who began tying simple knots in a rope to use during his daily prayers. However, the devil would untie the knots, thwarting the monk’s efforts. An angel then appeared and taught the monk a special knot, as seen on modern prayer ropes, made of intertwined crosses. These knots could not be undone by the devil due to the presence of the crosses. The prayer rope serves as a tool for short prayers, such as the publican’s prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” prayers to the Virgin Mary: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us,” or brief prayers to guardian angels, individual saints, or all saints. Common forms include: “Holy Angel (or Saint [name]), intercede for me.” By adapting these words to “have mercy on us” or “intercede for us,” or including the names of individuals we wish to pray for, the prayer rope can also be used for intercessory prayers. Similarly, it can be employed for prayers for the departed: “Lord, grant rest to the soul of Your servant.”
