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| 100 Bead Chotki with St. Benedict Medal |
Eastern Christian Prayer Beads or Prayer
Rope go back to the origins of Christian monasticism. When monks began going into the deserts of Egypt, it was their custom
to pray the entire 150 Psalms every day. However, because some of the monks were unable to read, they would either have to
memorize the psalms or perform other prayers and prostrations in their stead. Thus the tradition of saying 150 (or more) Jesus
Prayers every day began. The western Rosary is sometimes said to have the same initial origin.
Historically, the Eastern Orthodox Prayer Rope would typically have 100 knots, although prayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots
can also be found in use today. There are even small, 10-knot prayer ropes intended to be worn on the finger. Hermits in their
cells may have prayer ropes with as many as 500 knots in them.
Not only is the Jesus Prayer used, but Eastern Christians also have many "Breath Prayers". Contrary to thought, they are
not to be said using spiritual breathing as that can only be determined by a spiritual father. Some breath prayers that are
continuously repeated on the Prayer Rope are: Lord Have Mercy, Come Lord Jesus, Lord I Believe...Help My Unbelief, Lord Save
Me, etc.
The use of the rope
made it possible to pray the Jesus Prayer unceasingly, whether inside the cell or out, in accordance with Saint Paul's injunction
to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). The most common version of The Jesus Prayer, also called the Prayer of the
Heart, is: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Chotki Prayer Beads or Prayer Ropes taken from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition have 33 beads, representing the life of
Jesus similar to the Protestant Prayer Beads we use today... but are arranged in 3 sets of 10, with 3 Invitatory beads. Some
of my customers have asked for custom order Chotkis with 100 or 150 beads. This is a personal choice and I am happy to create
with you what will bring you the most satisfaction in your prayer life.
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