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+ knot origins
The prayer rope has many parallels among other religious groups. See [[w:Prayer_beads]] for details.
==The Knot==
Previously, monks would count their prayers by casting pebbles into a bowl, but this was cumbersome, and could not be easily carried about when outside the cell. The use of the rope made it possible to pray the Jesus Prayer unceasingly, whether inside the cell or out.
It is said that the method of tying the prayer rope had its origins from the Father of Orthodox [[Monasticism#Christian_monasticism|Monasticism]], [[Anthony the Great|Saint Anthony the Great]]. He started by tying a leather rope with a simple knot for every time he prayed [[Kyrie|Kyrie Eleison]] ("Lord have Mercy"), but the [[Devil]] would come and untie the knots to throw off his count. He then devised a way--inspired by a vision he had of the Theotokos--of tying the knots so that the knots themselves would constantly make the sign of the cross. This is why prayer ropes today are still tied using knots that each contain seven little crosses being tied over and over. The Devil could not untie it because the Devil is vanquished by the Sign of the Cross.
==Modern Times==