The Prayer Rope (Chotki)

A prayer rope is a knotted rope used by Orthodox Christians to count repetitions of the Jesus Prayer. It is a tool, not an amulet. It is also one of the oldest continuously-used objects in Christian piety, with roots in the 4th-century Egyptian desert.

This page explains what it is, how to use it, and where to get one.

What is the prayer rope?

Also called the chotki (in Slavic tradition), the komboskini (in Greek tradition), or the broyanitsa (in Serbian tradition), the prayer rope is a closed loop of woolen cord tied with intricate knots. The most common length is 100 knots; shorter forms exist with 33 knots (the years of Christ’s life), 50 knots, or 300 knots. Each knot is tied in a specific pattern (the seven-cross knot) that resists undoing.

A small wooden or beaded cross is often attached at one point of the loop to mark the start, or the rope ends with a tassel.

The rope is typically black (the traditional monastic color) and made of wool (which does not make noise as it slides through the fingers, unlike beads).

Why a rope and not a counter or a beaded rosary?

Several reasons.

Wool is silent. A wooden bead clicking against another wooden bead can become a distraction or a kind of performance. Wool slides quietly. The prayer is not announced.

Knots are tactile. Each knot is felt, not heard. The body engages without the mind being pulled away.

The seven-cross knot is symbolic. The pattern by which each knot is tied includes seven small crosses interwoven. The traditional story is that a 4th-century desert monk was given the pattern by an angel after he kept losing count of his prayers. The knot is meant to bind demonic temptation: each time a knot is tied, an evil influence is bound.

It is not a rosary. The Orthodox prayer rope is sometimes compared to the Catholic rosary because both are used with repeated prayer. The two are different in form, function, and theology. The rope is for the Jesus Prayer (or other simple prayer). The rosary is for a structured set of mysteries. They are not interchangeable.

How to use it

Holding the rope

Hold the rope loosely in the left hand, between thumb and forefinger. The cross or starting knot rests against the palm. The right hand is free to make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of each cycle, and at the start and end of the prayer session.

Praying with the rope

1. Begin with the sign of the cross. Say a brief opening prayer (“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen”) and “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner” or similar opening.
2. Move to the first knot. Pray the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
3. Move to the next knot. Repeat.
4. Continue around the loop, one prayer per knot.
5. When you return to the cross or starting point, make the sign of the cross and pause. You may continue with another loop, or end with a closing prayer.

For a 100-knot rope, one full loop is 100 Jesus Prayers. The pace varies: a slow contemplative pace might take 15-20 minutes per loop; a faster everyday pace might take 5-10 minutes.

How many loops?

Beginners: one loop a day, or even half a loop. Build slowly. The point is regularity, not volume.

Established practice: typically one full loop in the morning prayer rule and one in the evening rule, plus shorter periods during the day.

Monastic practice: many loops per day. The Athonite monks pray thousands of Jesus Prayers a day. This is not the lay rule.

Where to keep it

When not in active use, the prayer rope can be:

• In a pocket, ready to draw out for spare moments (waiting in line, sitting in traffic, between meetings)
• On a small hook by the icon corner as part of the family prayer space
• Worn around the wrist loosely (some parishioners do this; others find it ostentatious)

Treat the rope with respect. Do not leave it on the floor or in a place where it might be stepped on. It is not a magical object, but it is a sacred object connected to your prayer life.

When to use it

The rope is for any time the Jesus Prayer is appropriate, which is essentially any time.

• During formal morning and evening prayer
• While walking
• During long drives (as a passenger, please, not while operating the vehicle)
• In moments of stress, fear, or temptation
• While waiting (lines, waiting rooms, public transit)
• During physical work that does not require mental attention
• At night when sleep does not come

The rope is not for use during liturgical services. Pay attention to the Liturgy when you are at church.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a priest’s blessing to use a prayer rope? Not strictly. Anyone may pray the Jesus Prayer with or without a rope. That said, most Orthodox prayer ropes from monastic workshops come pre-blessed, and bringing your own rope to Fr. Stephen for a blessing is a meaningful step that connects your private prayer to the Church.

Can a non-Orthodox Christian use a prayer rope? Yes, with respect. The rope is a tool, the prayer is a Christian prayer. Anyone may pray.

Where do I get a prayer rope? The best ropes are made by Orthodox monks and nuns, who pray as they tie each knot. Reliable sources in the US include St. Anthony’s Monastery (Florence, AZ), Holy Cross Hermitage (West Virginia), and several Athonite-tradition monastic shops online. Avoid mass-produced ropes from non-Orthodox sources; many are tied incorrectly or made of plastic.

The parish can help you order one. Ask Fr. Stephen or check the parish bookstore.

What if I lose count? It doesn’t matter. The rope helps you keep count, but the count is not the point. The prayer is the point. If you lose track, return to wherever you are on the rope and continue.

What if my rope breaks? Take it to the parish or send it to the monastery where it was made; they can re-tie or replace knots. Treat it as a repairable tool, not a disposable one. Some parishioners keep a rope for decades.

Can I tie my own prayer rope? Yes, but the technique takes practice. Several monastic workshops offer instructions or kits. Tying your own rope while praying the Jesus Prayer is a slow meditative work; some find it deeply spiritually formative.

Are there different lengths? Yes. The 100-knot rope is most common. The 33-knot rope (Christ’s years) is smaller and easier to carry. The 50-knot rope is sometimes used. The 300-knot rope is monastic. Choose the length that fits your hand and your pocket.

What about beaded ropes? Some Orthodox traditions (especially Greek) use beads instead of knots. These are also valid prayer ropes. They make more noise than wool but are visually more striking. Either tradition is fine.

Can I use it while driving? Not as the driver. As a passenger, yes. The rope can be a comfort during long trips, but operating a vehicle requires your full attention.

Learn More

• The Jesus Prayer, the prayer you pray with the rope
• Prayer at Home, daily prayer practice
• Icon Corner, the home space where the rope is often kept
• Spiritual Father, guidance on developing personal prayer

If you would like help acquiring your first prayer rope or learning to use it, Fr. Stephen and the parishioners are glad to help.

St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church 9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Phone: 727-777-4450