How to Use This Chotki?

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TimothyH

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Does anyone know how to use the chotki pictured below?



It has 93 knots divided into five sections, 12-40-33-1-17 knots respectively, each section separated by three beads. Adding the center knot and knots in the vertical portion of the cross bring the total to 100 knots.

It is a Russian style rope made by CAF user Phillip Rolfes. The description of the rope at Phillip’s website is interesting, stating that the four main sections of knots are used to count off the Jesus prayer for those who could not pray the four parts of the daily office.

I’m wondering if there is more to it. Is there a prayer rule or method associated with this rope? I’m used to praying the Rule of St. Pachomius on my 100 knot rope but wonder if there is something similar or if there is some historical use for this rope other than counting off the Jesus prayer.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
Does anyone know how to use the chotki pictured below? …It has 93 knots divided into five sections, 12-40-33-1-17 knots respectively, each section separated by three beads. Adding the center knot and knots in the vertical portion of the cross bring the total to 100 knots. … is something similar or if there is some historical use for this rope other than counting off the Jesus prayer…
Click to expand...
The groupings and dividers are given meanings such as nine dividers for the ranks of angels, 12 Apostles, 40 is the number of weeks for human gestation - for the pregnancy of the Theotokos - and 33 for the years of Christ’s earthly life, and 17 for the prophets.

Also the various counts can be use for counting Lord Have Mercy responses.
 
TimothyH said:
Does anyone know how to use the chotki pictured below?

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/chotki1.jpg

It has 93 knots divided into five sections, 12-40-33-1-17 knots respectively, each section separated by three beads. Adding the center knot and knots in the vertical portion of the cross bring the total to 100 knots.

It is a Russian style rope made by CAF user Phillip Rolfes. The description of the rope at Phillip’s website is interesting, stating that the four main sections of knots are used to count off the Jesus prayer for those who could not pray the four parts of the daily office.

I’m wondering if there is more to it. Is there a prayer rule or method associated with this rope? I’m used to praying the Rule of St. Pachomius on my 100 knot rope but wonder if there is something similar or if there is some historical use for this rope other than counting off the Jesus prayer.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
Hi Tim!!!

So, in my research into the various styles of prayer ropes from the Byzantine tradition, there is little variation as to how the different styles of prayer ropes are used. This 100 knot rope would be used in the same way that any other 100 knot rope would be used. Typically the “Prayer Rule of St. Pachomius” would be prayed, although there is another much simpler Rule that is given in the “Ruthenian Recension.”

Unlike in the West where different numberings and different set-ups of the chaplets/rosaries indicate a different rule of prayer, in the Byzantine tradition this is simply not the case. Rather, the different set-ups are meant to be physical reminders of spiritual realities built into the prayer rope itself! The simplest example is a 33 knot rope that represents the 33 years of our Savior’s life on earth. The Russian “Lestovka,” much like the prayer rope in this picture, has a much more complex symbolic structure, but the prayer rule used on it remains essentially the same. Hope this helps! 👍
 
Phillip_Rolfes said:
…The Russian “Lestovka,”…, has a much more complex symbolic structure, …
Click to expand...
http://lestovka.com.ua/lestovka/image001.jpg

There are four triangular parts (lapostki) representing the four Gospels.
Three folds near the lapostki for counting the opening and closing prayers. *
Twigs or paper rolls are used for the rungs (babochki).
Markers for 17 bows in the prayer of St. Ephrem.
Markers for 40 and 12 Lord Have Mercy responses.

  1. *]Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. [bow]
    *]Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, bless. [bow]
    *]O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]
 
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