www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology prayer rope

Hi,

Where can I learn more and maybe buy a prayer rope.
I really like the Jesus prayer.
But Have also seen on the web that the rope may have ties to buddism/hinduism, how true is that?

A rope is a rope. What matters is the Jesus Prayer.

You can say the Prayer on rosary beads, the knots on a komboskini / chotki, your finger tips, whatever.

Use whatever works for you.

The point is not the medium. The point is the Prayer.

-- John

No truth at all. The fact that pagan religions may also have meditation tools that are similar to the prayer rope/prayer cord/chotki used by Eastern Christians does not mean that Eastern Christianity borrowed this from pagan religions.

BOB

John,

I think if you search the term 'chotki' here, you'll likely find a variety of links and discussions. If you have problems, let me know and I'll track some of them down for you.

Many years,

Neil

Are you worried about the prayer, or the rope?

Like I said in my previous post, a prayer rope is just that. Use any kind you want; the form doesn't matter.

If you are worried about repetitive prayer being Hindu or Buddhist, per se, don't be. Hindu repetitive prayer (japa) and Buddhist repetitive prayer (mantra) are repetitive prayers for those religions. Christian repetitive prayer is for Christians, and it evolved independently: by Christians, for Christians.

The thing that distinguishes Christian forms of prayer from other forms of prayer is: Christ. That is all, but that is everything.

-- John

Hello:

Here is one link for chotkis<prayer ropes>

http://www.stpaisiusmonastery.org/ropes.htm

In Christ:
Einar

Well put.

Hello John:

I don't want to turn this into a technical discussion but I have some questions of my own. What is the significance of the Chotkis having 33-50-100 knots. They also seem to have varying numbers of large beads, perhaps that has something to do with the tradition of whatever church is using it? I have heard that those made with 33 knots represent the 33 years our Lord lived.

I do agree with you that the prayer is the main thing to be concentrating on.

In Christ:
Einar

Hi Einar,

I don't know the reasons behind the different number of knots, except to aid in counting. I have heard and read the idea that 33 knots is to represent the number of years of Jesus' life.

As for the solid / ceramic beads in the middle of the woolen knots of a chotki, I don't know what they are for except as an additonal aid to counting. Personally, I found them annoying. So, I made them into moment to pause and say a prayer in honor of the Theotokos before resuming the Jesus Prayer.

Be well.

-- John

Let us remember, that the Blessed Mother requested, over and over again, that we, as Faithful Catholics, pray the Holy Rosary.

Let us remember that these were all in private revelations that no faithful Catholic is required to believe in. On the otherhand, the Church has called on Eastern Catholics to return to and foster their own indigenous prayer forms one of which is the Jesus Prayer.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Thank your for pointing this out Father David.

In Christ:
Einar

Thank you.

Well put Fr. Deacon Lance.

Thanks All

I was asking about the actual rope as I am aware other religion have similar ropes/beads. I was curious about possible influences from other religions.

Also, well put Father, as I tell my friends the rosary is not required to be a faithfull Catholic.

God Bless