This prayer rope was made specifically for the purpose of praying the "Prayer Rule of the Theotokos" as popularized by St. Seraphim of Sarov. The Prayer Rule itself dates back at least to the 8th Century, but I believe I've read somewhere that it actually dates back as far as the 4th Century. A form of the "Prayer Rule of the Theotokos" has been in daily use on Mt. Athos from time immemorial.
The "Theotokos Rope" is simply a prayer rope with 150 knots divided into decades, much like a Roman Catholic rosary. It can be used to pray the Jesus Prayer as well as the "Rule of the Theotokos."
This particular prayer rope is made out of black nylon-satin. The divider beads have fancy little ends on them. That was just an experiment with some excess beads that I have. I think it turned out rather nicely. I didn't add a tassel on this rope because I'm personally not a big fan of the tassels, and I wanted this rope to be more in the Greek style.
Incidentally, this rope is now in the possession of Bishop Nicholas Samra, the eparch for the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton here in the United States. Prior to giving it to him, however, this was my rope that I used daily for both the Jesus Prayer and the "Rule of the Theotokos."
This Theotokos Rope is truly stunning! Beatiful work, to the glory of God!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. It was my own personal rope for about a year or so. But when Bishop Samra came to visit my parish, and I was finally able to meet him for the first time, I made a gift of it to him. He was my first inspiration to begin praying the Jesus Prayer. So in many ways, this blog is a tribute to him. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!!! I would love to have one of those and I would love to review it on my blogs. Please contact me at jdjackson17@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am also an Eastern catholic and I have been asked about the Eastern traditions of honoring the Mother of God!!!
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