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[[imageImage:PrayerropeJ019.jpgjpg|right|thumb|A typical 100 knot prayer rope.]]A '''prayer rope''' (''chotki'' in Greek: κομποσκοίνι, Russian: вервица, Romanian: mătănii, Serbian: бројаница, ''komboskini'' in Greek Bulgarian: броеница) is a loop of knots, usually made of wool but sometimes of wood, that is used during praying to keep track of the number of prayers [[prayer]]s which have been said. It The rope is usually used with the [[Jesus Prayer]]: "Lord [[Jesus Christ]], Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Historically it typically had 100 knots, although prayer ropes with 300, 50, or 33 knots or, less commonly, 250 or 12 can also be found in use today. There is typically a knotted [[cross]] at one end, and a few beads at certain intervals between the knots. "The purpose is to help us concentrate, not necessarily to count." [http://www.svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html]
Its invention is attributed to [[Saint|St.]] [[Pachomius the Great|Pachomius]] in the fourth century as an aid for illiterate [[monk]]s to accomplish a consistent number of prayers and [[prostration]]s. Monks were often expected to carry a prayer rope with them, to remind them to pray constantly in accordance with St. [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]'s injunction in [[I Thessalonians]] 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."
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==
Image:33_knot_prayer_rope.jpg|33 knot prayer rope
Image:50_knot_prayer_rope.jpg|50 knot prayer rope
[http://www.thehtm.org/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=744&osCsid=048ee26b935e72b4444bb726d3d2cd3c 50 knot prayer rope]
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*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/comboschini.aspx Comboschini (The Prayer Rope): Meditations of a Monk of the Holy Mountain Athos]
*[http://www.saintjonah.org/services/stpachomius.htm The Prayer Rule of St. Pachomius]
*[http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Prayer%20Rope.html What is the Prayer Rope and how to use it plus articles and links.]*[http://sites.google.com/site/prayerrope/ The Orthodox Prayer Rope and the Jesus Prayer]*[http://www.prayer-bracelet.com/category/history/ Saint Anthony the Great and the Prayer Rope]*[http://www.prayer-bracelet.com/chotki-and-komboskini/ Komboskini & Chotki Store]
[[Category:Asceticism]]
