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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Jesus Prayer or The Invocation of the Holy Name

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Description of Prayer

The Jesus Prayer or The Invocation of the Holy Name is a brief prayer centered around the Holy Name of Jesus, Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Jesus Prayer is prayed rhythmically, that is in time with the person's breathing. The Jesus prayer helps the person who prays to reach a depth of peace / tranquility.

Description of the how Prayer Rope is traditionall prayed.

• Beginning - At the cross, the Sign of the Cross Prayer is said.
  In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
• On the knotted strings or beads, the Jesus Prayer is said. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Description of the Prayer Rope

The Jesus Prayer is often prayed with the aid of Jesus Beads on a Prayer Rope.
In the 7th Century, the Prayer Rope was introduced for reciting the Jesus Prayer.
This Prayer Rope has knotted strings or beads, which are used to assist in the prayer. Usually, Prayer Ropes are made with a series of knots. However, Prayer Ropes made with beads are not uncommon.

Traditionally, the Prayer Rope has a cross and groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads, separated by one larger knotted string or beads.

• The cross is attached to a larger knotted string or bead and that larger knotted string or bead is attached to the 2 groups of 10 beads. Many people prefer this design because the choti is stronger / more stable.
  Then, the amount of large knotted strings or beads between the groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads is the same number as the groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads.
  An example is 10 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads for 100 knotted strings or beads plus 10 larger knotted strings or beads for a total of 110 knotted strings or beads.
• The cross is attached directly between 2 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads.
  Then, the amount of large knotted strings or beads between the groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads is one less than the number of groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads.
  An example is 10 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads for 100 knotted strings or beads plus 9 larger knotted strings or beads for a total of 109 knotted strings or beads.

Traditionally, the Prayer Rope has one of three groupings of smaller knotted strings or beads.

• 3 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads for 30 knotted strings or beads with 2 or 3 larger knotted strings or beads bewteen the groups of 10 knotted strings or beads for a total of 32 or 33 knotted strings or beads.
• 5 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads for 50 knotted strings or beads with 4 or 5 larger knotted strings or beads bewteen the groups of 10 knotted strings or beads for a total of 54 or 55 knotted strings or beads.
• 10 groups of 10 smaller knotted strings or beads for 100 beads with 9 or 10 larger knotted strings or beads bewteen the groups of 10 knotted strings or beads for a total of 109 or 110 knotted strings or beads.

Jesus Prayer in Greek Lanugage

This prayer does not have "a sinner" at the end.

Other Names for the Prayer Rope

The knotted strings or beads are known as "Kombologion" and as "Komboischinion" in Greek , as "Chotki" in Slavic, and as "Jesus Beads" in English.
Some people think that the word "Chotki" is derived from the Slavic word that means "glass-beads".

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is an unofficial Melkite Greek Catholic Web site and has not been reviewed or approved by any Melkite clergy person.
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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Saturday, August 08, 2009, 22:29:09, CDT
The current date and time is: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 05:30:53, CST or Saturday, February 11, 2012, 11:30:53, GMT