How to Use Komboskini?

[Nikolas222]

Hey. Been studying for finals so I havent got on for months, bout now that I'm out of school...

Anyways, a while ago at the Greek Festival I bought a komboskini but I have no idea how to use it. Also, is it supposed to cut off your circulation and leave a temporary mark?

Thanks!

Yours in Christ,
Nick

 

[Reader Nilus]

http://www.fr-d-serfes.org/spiritual/original.htm
O LORD, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME A SINNER!
This prayer is called the "Jesus Prayer," but it's also known in the Orthodox Church as "The prayer of the heart." This prayer can be said by not only monastics, but also any lay person can say the prayer. This humble prayer is prayed with a prayer rope in hand. The prayer rope was first made by monastics of the Church and the laity of the church then adopted the use of the prayer rope as well. Prayer ropes can be found in 25, 50, to 100 knots and sometimes more. The prayer rope also are made of different colors, black is used mainly by monastics, but any color can be used. What is required of this beautiful prayer is to help us keep Christ in our hearts, and to pray unceasing. Obtain the book: "The Way of the Pilgrim," to better understand the prayer of the heart. To begin the prayer, we would say on each knot: O LORD, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME A SINNER. We continue the prayer first with the lips, in a low whisper, and with the mind say the prayer, after much struggle with the prayer, the prayer enters the heart, one now has the prayer of the heart. Once the prayer enters the heart then we must constantly continue to say the prayer. Monastics for example are told to use their prayer ropes, and say 1000 knot prayers in their cell -room, we too must spiritually discipline ourselves to say the prayer as often as we can.... Once we have the prayer of the heart, suddenly with all the presures of the day, one may be working, or doing something around the house, and the heart says the prayer all by itself, without you asking it to do so...this in itself is true union with our God. We now have unceasing prayer with Christ our true God. I humbly suggest to you to obtain a prayer rope, and to begin the prayer... Amen.
Father Demetrios Serfes, Priest
Who Prays For You!
10/10/96
________________________________________________________
No it is not supposed to cut off the circulation, loosely wrap it around your wrist, because you use the knots to pray the Jesus Prayer, and when it comes to beads do a prostration. As Fr. Demetrios points out read The Way of the Pilgrim on the the prayer rope, komboskini, in Russian Chotki.
http://www.monachos.net/monasticism/jesus_prayer.shtml is a great resource online for the Jesus Prayer.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Nikolas222]

Thanks, but I was a little mixed-up.

No it is not supposed to cut off the circulation, loosely wrap it around your wrist

Are we talking about the same thing? There's no wrapping involved. Check out this link to see what i'm talking about:


http://www.greektownimports.com/acatalog/Online_Catalog_Komboskini_Bracelets_138.html

Mine is similar. It's elastic so it streaches out, but the knots leave a mark.

prostration

What is that?

Also, aren't their more prayers? Someone told me of three at church but he told me in Greek, and because I barely speak it, I didn't understand much.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Reader Nilus]

There are various sizes and colors of prayer ropes, the standard monastic rope is 100 knots and is black.

Jeff the Finn

 

[Nikolas222]

mine was braided and has a black elastic in the middle to fit my wrist, which puts the mark on my wrist. I wear it all the time.