Greek Orthodox Komvoschinion

(I have also seen this referred to as a Komboskini.)

The Komvoschinion is traditionally made from knotted cord; however, a sting of beads is used by the Byzantine Ruthians of the Carpatho-Rusyn Mountains. The monks of Mt. Athos have used these prayer ropes for centuries and still do today. By carrying these prayer ropes in their hands, they are reminded to pray without ceasing as the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thes. 5:17.

In Greek, the word “komboloi” means, “in each knot he says.” For the religious, they are a way of counting prayers. The act of counting prayers dates back to the tradition of the Jewish prayer shawl called the “tallit”, still used by religious Jews today.

Komvoschinion prayer beads/ropes have 25, 50, or 100 beads/knots. The “Jesus Prayer” is traditionally prayed on each bead.

If you have traveled to Greece, you have probably seen many men carrying a komboloi or worry beads. Over the years, the komboloi has become more of a Greek accessory that can be found in numerous souvenir shops. Though not always used for prayer, their origin as Christian prayer beads still gives them Christian significance. For Christians, they can also be a reminder to turn our worries into prayers.

2 Responses to Greek Orthodox Komvoschinion

  1. Christine says:

    Hello, Mr Komboskini. Thanks for the comment. I am not sure if this will work, but here are a couple of links from a books that refer to the komvoschinion.

    Beads and Prayers: The Rosary in History and Devotion By John D. Miller
    http://books.google.com/books?id=Up_vo0S_S1wC&pg=PA92&lpg=PA92&dq=komvoschinion&source=bl&ots=1kLDZo8Qql&sig=KA6Y8FsKQTltEhSlxK-NtoK7U_U&hl=en&ei=4L58S-mdJ8iUtgfe5KTBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBMQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=komvoschinion&f=false

    The monks of Mount Athos: a western monk’s extraordinary spiritual journey … By M. Basil Pennington
    http://books.google.com/books?id=Qr0DgtUVs-EC&pg=PR32&lpg=PR32&dq=komvoschinion&source=bl&ots=R7onl5ewum&sig=CVyTCfOQln1qWMpS5PmQY4C5A6M&hl=en&ei=LMF8S4nxOYKVtgfMnY2lBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAYQ6AEwADgU#v=onepage&q=komvoschinion&f=false

    Monasticism in the Orthodox churches: being an introduction to the study of … By N. F. Robinson
    http://books.google.com/books?id=raQPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA155&lpg=PA155&dq=komvoschinion&source=bl&ots=fqtQx-QxWz&sig=AhwOuCVKJRkSHBnJ1bFIZRkMHuA&hl=en&ei=aL58S8yyPNGOtgeo_7i5BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CB0Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=komvoschinion&f=false

    I have seen it spelled komvoskhinion.
    http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komvoskhinion&ei=LMF8S4nxOYKVtgfMnY2lBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CCEQ7gEwCDgU&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkomvoschinion%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20

  2. I did not know about the word Komvoschinion, I thought the Greek only had the word “Komboskini” for Prayer Rope and “Komboloi” for the worry beads.

    Well, that is another lesson learned!

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