Editing Prayer rope (section)

==Description==
[[File:Chotki vervitsa.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Eastern Christian prayer rope with 50 knots and 5 wooden beads]]
Historically, the prayer rope would typically have 100 knots, although prayer ropes with 150, 60, 50, 33, 64 or 41 knots can also be found in use today. There are even small 10-knot prayer ropes intended to be worn on the finger. Hermits in their cells may have prayer ropes with as many as 300 or 500 knots in them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-02 |title=The Orthodox Prayer Rope - Komboskini |url=https://theholyart.org/blogs/news/the-orthodox-prayer-rope-komboskini |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=TheHolyArt |language=en}}</ref>

Characteristically, the knots of a prayer rope are [[diamond knot]]s ([[The Ashley Book of Knots|ABoK]] #787).

There is typically a knotted [[Christian cross|cross]] where the prayer rope is joined together to form a loop, and a few [[prayer beads|beads]] at certain intervals between the knots (usually every 10 or 25 knots) for ease in counting. Longer prayer ropes frequently have a tassel at the end of the cross; its purpose is to dry the tears shed due to heartfelt [[Repentance|compunction]] for one's sins.<ref name="orthodoxinfo.com">cf. [http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/comboschini.aspx Comboschini (The Prayer Rope) Meditations of a Monk of the Holy Mountain Athos]</ref> The tassel can also be said to represent the glory of the [[Kingdom of God|Heavenly Kingdom]], which one can enter only through the Cross. Additionally, the tassel represents an inherited tradition of prayer. The symbol of tassels as tradition coming from [[Old Testament]] commandments to [[Jews]] to wear [[tzitzit|tassels]] on their garments to keep in mind the received laws.<ref name="orthodoxmomasteryicons.com">[https://www.orthodoxmonasteryicons.com/collections/prayer-rope-filakto cf.]</ref>

The prayer rope is commonly made out of wool, symbolizing the flock of Christ;<ref name="orthodoxinfo.com"/> though in modern times other materials are used also. The traditional color of the rope is black (symbolizing mourning for one's sins),<ref name="orthodoxinfo.com"/> with either black or colored beads. The beads (if they are colored) and at least a portion of the tassel are traditionally red, symbolizing the blood of Christ and the blood of the martyrs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-23 |title=Can Catholics Pray with Chokti Beads? |url=https://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/68701 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Women of Grace |language=en-us}}</ref> In recent times, however, prayer ropes have been made in a wide variety of colors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BRF {{!}} Leading Christian charity enabling ministry and mission {{!}} Praying with ropes |url=https://www.brf.org.uk/product/praying-with-ropes/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=BRF |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Athos Prayer Ropes: Greek Orthodox Komboskini |url=https://www.monastiriaka.gr/en/mount-athos-prayer-ropes |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Monastiriaka |language=en}}</ref>

Among the Oriental Orthodox, the prayer rope is composed of 41, 64, or 100 beads and is primarily used to recite the Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy) prayer as well as others such as the Lord's Prayer and the Magnificat. In regards to the first two numbers, the first number represents the number of lashes inflicted on Jesus (39 according to Jewish custom) alongside the lance wound and crown of thorns, while the latter represents Mary's age upon her Assumption respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The origins of the Catholic Rosary |url=https://aleteia.org/2017/02/11/ever-heard-of-the-orthodox-rosary-called-a-komboskini-or-prayer-rope |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture |language=en}}</ref>