33 Bead Chotki
Made in the Carpathian Mountains$4.99
Hand-made in the Carpathian Mountains this prayer rope, known as Komboskini in Greek and Chotki in Russian, has 33 maple colored wood beads.
Most people raised in America or Western Europe are familiar with the Roman Catholic Rosary, but not as many area aware of the Eastern Christian Chotki. The Orthodox and Eastern Catholics use the Chotki, a prayer rope of 25, 33, 50, 100 or 103 beads used to focus one's thoughts on the "Jesus Prayer".
As the Eastern Christian posture of reverent prayer is standing, so the chotki may be said standing with bows, prostrations or making the sign of the cross.
The traditional prayer of the prayer beads is an adaptation of the prayer of the publican who cried out, "O God, have mercy on me, a sinner." (LK 18: 9-14) The Lord said that this man went home from the Temple "justified."
Early Christians made several variations of this prayer which became know as the Jesus Prayer. It has come down to us in three forms:
- "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me."
- "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
- "Lord Jesus Christ, by the prayers of Our Lady, have mercy on me."
For special intentions, you may substitute the name of another who is sick or in need of special prayers, such as, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on (name)."
When the recitation of this prayer becomes automatic, and you no longer are focusing on saying the words, the next step is to move the prayer from the head to the heart. This is done by trying to focus the prayer on their heart and the prayer itself is an act of humility calling out for God's merciful help.