Comparing Orthodox Prayer Rope & Catholic Rosary

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Sunflower15

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This past weekend I went to see a local exhibition on Orthodox Iconography by Elias Damianakis. The icons were beautiful! He also had an exhibit on the materials he uses for his sacred art, in which he includes a Prayer Rope, since Icons are ‘extensions of prayer’ as he explains.

The Prayer Rope, *, was VERY long, at least twice as long as a Catholic Rosary and had knots rather than beads. It also had a tassel rather than a crucifix. I’m not sure if this is a ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ Prayer Rope, since I had never seen one before.

My questions are:
  1. What is it called?
  2. How is it prayed? Are there traditional prayers?
  3. Who ‘invented’ it? Who does tradition assign as the source of this devotion?
  4. Do Eastern Catholics also pray it or just the Orthodox?
  5. Are there any special Feast Days when it is custom to pray it?
  6. Is it a private devotion or public prayer?
  7. Does it sometimes have a crucifix or beads or medals?
I hope someone is interested in teaching me about this Prayer Rope, for some reason, I kept contemplating it…even when the Icons were so beautiful!

Thanks!
Maria
 
Sunflower15 said:
This past weekend I went to see a local exhibition on Orthodox Iconography by Elias Damianakis. The icons were beautiful! He also had an exhibit on the materials he uses for his sacred art, in which he includes a Prayer Rope, since Icons are ‘extensions of prayer’ as he explains.

The Prayer Rope, *, was VERY long, at least twice as long as a Catholic Rosary and had knots rather than beads. It also had a tassel rather than a crucifix. I’m not sure if this is a ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ Prayer Rope, since I had never seen one before.

My questions are:
  1. What is it called?
  2. How is it prayed? Are there traditional prayers?
  3. Who ‘invented’ it? Who does tradition assign as the source of this devotion?
  4. Do Eastern Catholics also pray it or just the Orthodox?
  5. Are there any special Feast Days when it is custom to pray it?
  6. Is it a private devotion or public prayer?
  7. Does it sometimes have a crucifix or beads or medals?
I hope someone is interested in teaching me about this Prayer Rope, for some reason, I kept contemplating it…even when the Icons were so beautiful!

Thanks!
Maria
Others will no doubt have more complete information…

One name it is called a “chokti”.

The “Jesus Prayer” is “traditional” as I understand.

It is an EO practice…but some Anglicans are adopting it.

Don’t know about feast days.

I believe it is for private devotions…again, I don’t know for sure.

The one I have is black with three beads of red with a knotted cross from which hangs a tassel…I was told the tassel is to “wipe the tears from your eyes as you pray.”

You may want to invest in a volume of “Way of the Pilgrim” for a little detail on the devotion.
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Publisher said:
The one I have is black with three beads of red with a knotted cross from which hangs a tassel…I was told the tassel is to “wipe the tears from your eyes as you pray.”

What a beautiful image! 👍

You may want to invest in a volume of “Way of the Pilgrim” for a little detail on the devotion.
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Is this Orthodox or Quaker?
I’ll look it up…I’ve always said that if I weren’t Catholic, I would probably be Quaker…because I spend so much time in an Adoration Chapel adoring the Eucharist…I like the silence and the reflection and the talking individually to God …

Though Quakers don’t have the Eucharist, I have always heard that Quakers sit quietly talking to God rather than in public community ‘fellowship’…though it may not be true…I haven’t met a Quaker in person, though I lived in Houston, where there were many Friends.

I have no idea about Quaker theology though…just that my spirituality is similar…

Thanks for the info!
Pax Christi
 
Sunflower15 said:
Is this Orthodox or Quaker?
I’ll look it up…I’ve always said that if I weren’t Catholic, I would probably be Quaker…because I spend so much time in an Adoration Chapel adoring the Eucharist…I like the silence and the reflection and the talking individually to God …

Though Quakers don’t have the Eucharist, I have always heard that Quakers sit quietly talking to God rather than in public community ‘fellowship’…though it may not be true…I haven’t met a Quaker in person, though I lived in Houston, where there were many Friends.

I have no idea about Quaker theology though…just that my spirituality is similar…

Thanks for the info!
Pax Christi
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It’s Orthodox…I’m a Friend who has used/experimented with different devotional tools to better understand others religious beliefs and practices as well as enhance my own spiritual life.
 
Sunflower15 said:
This past weekend I went to see a local exhibition on Orthodox Iconography by Elias Damianakis. The icons were beautiful! He also had an exhibit on the materials he uses for his sacred art, in which he includes a Prayer Rope, since Icons are ‘extensions of prayer’ as he explains.

The Prayer Rope, *, was VERY long, at least twice as long as a Catholic Rosary and had knots rather than beads. It also had a tassel rather than a crucifix. I’m not sure if this is a ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ Prayer Rope, since I had never seen one before.

My questions are:
  1. What is it called?
It’s called a Komboskini. In English it’s simply called a Prayer Rope, although some Russian Orthodox refer to it as a Rosary. It is used to Pray the “Jesus Prayer” aka the “Prayer of the Heart”. *
  1. How is it prayed?
It’s prayed in solitude and quiet. The person praying may either choose to sit, stand or do prostrations with each bead. The person praying will generally say the prayers with each inhale and exhale to the drum of the beating of their heart. It is known as the Prayer of the Heart as when practiced, the prayer becomes a part of you and you end up praying without ceasing - which is the purpose of this prayer method.

Are there traditional prayers?

Yes the two most ancient prayers used are either: Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me or Most Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) save us. The prayer is said with each bead, accompanied by the sign of the cross in most cases.
  1. Who ‘invented’ it?
The Spiritual Fathers of the monks on Mount Athos aka Holy Mountain.

Who does tradition assign as the source of this devotion?

The Monastics.
  1. Do Eastern Catholics also pray it or just the Orthodox?
Yes. The Jesus Prayer is also mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
  1. Are there any special Feast Days when it is custom to pray it?
No. Each person’s spiritual father or mother may assign it as part of their Prayer Rule and if so, it is prayed daily.
  1. Is it a private devotion or public prayer?
Private.
  1. Does it sometimes have a crucifix or beads or medals?
No crucifix, but there is a knotted cross with a large tassel at the end to wipe away the tears of repentence of the one who prays.

Beads, I think that the Russians may use beads sometimes?

Medals - nope.

I hope someone is interested in teaching me about this Prayer Rope, for some reason, I kept contemplating it…even when the Icons were so beautiful!

Thanks!
Maria
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Sunflower15 said:
This past weekend I went to see a local exhibition on Orthodox Iconography by Elias Damianakis. The icons were beautiful! He also had an exhibit on the materials he uses for his sacred art, in which he includes a Prayer Rope, since Icons are ‘extensions of prayer’ as he explains.

The Prayer Rope, *, was VERY long, at least twice as long as a Catholic Rosary and had knots rather than beads. It also had a tassel rather than a crucifix. I’m not sure if this is a ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ Prayer Rope, since I had never seen one before.

My questions are:
  1. What is it called?
  2. How is it prayed? Are there traditional prayers?
  3. Who ‘invented’ it? Who does tradition assign as the source of this devotion?
  4. Do Eastern Catholics also pray it or just the Orthodox?
  5. Are there any special Feast Days when it is custom to pray it?
  6. Is it a private devotion or public prayer?
  7. Does it sometimes have a crucifix or beads or medals?
I hope someone is interested in teaching me about this Prayer Rope, for some reason, I kept contemplating it…even when the Icons were so beautiful!

Thanks!
Maria
Pick up The Way of a Pilgrim. It’s about a Russian pilgrim who walks the countryside searching for someone to teach him about the Jesus Prayer. I think you would enjoy it.

Yours in Christ
Joe
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SingleMomMonica:
Monica,

Thanks for the explanations! I published a story online, after some research, I think I’m ‘hooked’ and I don’t even have one yet! That prayer has always been in my heart…but it makes me feel like crying…I really don’t know why and can’t control it…maybe that’s the reason for the tassel…

What do Orthodox mean by spiritual father? A priest? We consider them spiritual fathers, but don’t usually call them that, I guess…
 
From my understanding both the Orthodox Prayer rope and the Rosary are used for “Centering Prayer”. Centering Prayer is that which helps a person to filter out all the noise of daily living in order to come to God in prayer centered on His Presence. The practice is to aid in removing distractions and, from personal experience I can say, that it also helps in times of stress and anxiety.
 
I tried to buy one over the summer at a Greek Fest I started a thread about here at Caf.

The lady asked me if I was from their church. I said no. She asked what religion I was. I told her.

She told me to take it, and it was a gift from their church to me. I tried to give her money, but she pushed it back in my hand.

Mine is black, one tassel.

She said it was hand made by monastics.
 
Sunflower15 said:
Monica,

Thanks for the explanations! I published a story online, after some research, I think I’m ‘hooked’ and I don’t even have one yet! That prayer has always been in my heart…but it makes me feel like crying…I really don’t know why and can’t control it…maybe that’s the reason for the tassel…

What do Orthodox mean by spiritual father? A priest? We consider them spiritual fathers, but don’t usually call them that, I guess…
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I’m glad your ‘hooked’ on the Prayer - so much better than being ‘hooked’ on anything else these days 😃

The gift of tears of repentence are exactly what the tassels are for, to wipe them away.

Spiritual Father is the one monk or priest or layman (or Spiritual Mother - nun or laywomen) who has been given the blessing to be a Spiritual Father (or Spiritual Mother) as they themselves have already progressed on the path of theosis that you meet with anywhere from a few times a year, to monthly, or sometimes more or less frequently that initially finds out where you are spiritually, then establishes for you a Prayer Rule to help you overcome the passions and guide you through the variously stages of the Spiritual Life. The Spiritual Father (or Spiritual Mother) may or may not hear your Confessions (if a Spiritual Mother hears your Confession, she has the priest pray the prayers of Forgiveness for you - although generally, she would just refer you to a Confessor). The Spiritual Father (or Spiritual Mother) will be judge partly on account of their Spiritual Children’s progress or failures - since they are responsible for guiding them rightly - so they take their role in your spiritual life very seriously.

To find a suitable Spiritual Father (or Spiritual Mother) you may ask the pastor of an Orthodox Church for a recommendation.

A great book to read, a spiritual classic, is: The Way of the Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues His Way.

I hope that helps 🙂
 
StrawberryJam said:
I tried to buy one over the summer at a Greek Fest I started a thread about here at Caf.

The lady asked me if I was from their church. I said no. She asked what religion I was. I told her.

She told me to take it, and it was a gift from their church to me. I tried to give her money, but she pushed it back in my hand.

Mine is black, one tassel.

She said it was hand made by monastics.
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Nice!

I noticed you are agnostic, but do you pray?
I have heard of agnostics who believe in spiritual beings, such as angels, but just don’t think that God relates to us. I have heard of others who frankly don’t think there is much other than what we can see.

Which one are you? If you don’t mind me asking. It’s ok if you don’t feel like getting into it, though. I’m just curious since you wanted a prayer rope…🙂
 
Sunflower15 said:
Nice!

I noticed you are agnostic, but do you pray?
I have heard of agnostics who believe in spiritual beings, such as angels, but just don’t think that God relates to us. I have heard of others who frankly don’t think there is much other than what we can see.

Which one are you? If you don’t mind me asking. It’s ok if you don’t feel like getting into it, though. I’m just curious since you wanted a prayer rope…🙂
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Sorry, I missed this thread somehow and did not mean to be rude in ignoring your question. I don’t believe in spiritual beings, such as angels no. I am not ruling out the remote possibility your Christian God exists but find it a very unlikely.

I have been attending mass about 3 times a week and adoration once a week. I am trying to understand and learn your faith and world view with reading the narrative, commentaries, early fathers writings, your CCC and other information as well as enjoy the music and art, architecture and other traditions and things christians do. I found the Divine Liturgy in a Greek Orthodox church to be very beautiful, and the women very nice that spoke to me when I decided to purchase it. It was very nicely done handwork, and I have a soft spot for art. Maybe one day, it will be more meaningful to me than it is now. But, I did give my thoughts while holding it after that attack in Texas. Just held it in my hands while grieving the deaths of those people.
 
StrawberryJam said:
I have been attending mass about 3 times a week and adoration once a week.
Wow! I don’t know many Catholics that do that! Nice…🙂

I am trying to understand and learn your faith and world view with reading the narrative, commentaries, early fathers writings, your CCC and other information as well as enjoy the music and art, architecture and other traditions and things christians do. I found the Divine Liturgy in a Greek Orthodox church to be very beautiful, and the women very nice that spoke to me when I decided to purchase it. It was very nicely done handwork, and I have a soft spot for art. Maybe one day, it will be more meaningful to me than it is now. But, I did give my thoughts while holding it after that attack in Texas. Just held it in my hands while grieving the deaths of those people.
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Well, you have a very systematic & comprehensive approach to trying to understand it!
I have several friends who are agnostic, though I don’t know anyone personally who is atheist. Interestingly enough, all the agnostics I know are what I would call ‘spiritual’ people…funny…

Hey, I recently met a guy named Sal Solo who had an effect on me because I find his story unusual…I wrote a story on him, if you would like to read it…the videos show an interesting journey themselves.

examiner.com/x-9052-Orlando-Roman-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m11d4-One-small-world-One-great-God

I love Adoration, I go to Adoration every day, for the most part, always for at least an hour. It is the most peaceful, comfortable I feel anywhere, other than Mass.

Nice to talk to you! 😉
 
StrawberryJam said:
\ It was very nicely done handwork, and I have a soft spot for art. Maybe one day, it will be more meaningful to me than it is now.
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I almost forgot to invite you to a group on CAF called Iconography and Sacred Art. You might enjoy it since you like art. I also left some comments to explain some of the symbols that were in ‘code’ for Early Christians, during times of persecution by the Romans and others. Most of those symbols are not as universal to Christians anymore because we now use more words. I love the Orthodox icons, and wrote a couple of stories on them,

It is interesting that someone else left photos of a very large crucifix patterned after the Shroud of Turin, which we still don’t know for sure if its genuine, but hope it is. The man had his hands in the gesture of the traditional Christian icons, as did a saint as she was found dead. You may enjoy reading about the symbology, especially if you like art.🙂
 
Thank you for all the information Sunflower 15,

I will give these things much thought, and appreciate your help with all this. I tend to stay away from things that pull on the emotions (out of fear of things I see on TV, and in some christian circles) but, your links do grab me in spite of my hesitations.

I’m thinking Van Gogh when I see your screen name. Thanks for that also.🙂

Today I left Mary a yellow rose. I want to be her friend.

Your freind,

Liz
 
I’m not sure if what I have is the same as your prayer rope - a plain wooden cross with seventeen wooden beads on each side of the chain with a larger wooden bead in the middle - but it was given to me at a Byzantine Catholic church; I’ve been using it for the Jesus Prayer and therefore have been referring to it (probably incorrectly) as a kombologion. Some of the Orthodox people on this thread can probably tell me if it’s any different than their prayer ropes; anything the Orthodox have the Byzantine Catholics will use as well.

So I don’t think it’s a proper comparison between “Orthodox Prayer Rope” and “Catholic Rosary”, but rather between “Byzantine Prayer Rope” and “Dominican or Latin Rosary”.
 
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