Catholic Prayer Beads (Rosary)
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Catholic Rosaries
"Since the Middle Ages, rosaries have represented an integral component of the act of praying within the Roman Catholic Church, after becoming a widely accepted and useful means of counting and remembering complex cycles of devotional prayers written in liturgical languages. In the 12th century, Christianity became the last major religion to adopt the use of prayer beads, a decision possibly influenced […] "Beads of Faith: Pathways to Meditation and Spirituality Using Rosaries, Prayer Beads and Sacred Words
Gray Henry and Susannah Marriott (2008) Fons Vitae Publishing -
Roman Catholic Rosaries
"Different theories exist about the origin of the Christian rosary. Seventh-century graves have disclosed strings of beads twisted around the deceased's hands, a custom still followed in parts of Italy and Japan. Saint Rosalia (742–814), a relative of Emperor Charlemagne's, was reported to have been found buried with a string of little beads that ended in a cross. These beads were probably amuletic […] "History of Prayer Beads » The History of Beads: From 100,000 B.C. to the Present
Lois Sherr Dubin (2009) Abrams Publishers, Inc. -
Christianity
"Christian prayer beads, most recognizable as the Catholic rosary, are usually made of colored glass or plastic beads, or sometimes beads crafted of olive wood. Although, as noted earlier, there are roots to the prayer practices of the Desert Mothers and Fathers in the third century, prayer bead use was more widely developed in the sixth century. Then, Saint Benedict of Nursia asked […] "Religious Use of Beads » Prayer Bead Traditions » A String & A Prayer: How to Make & Use Prayer Beads
Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon (2007) Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC -
Roman Catholic Rosary
"Within a circle of 54 beads—five sets of 10 small beads, each set separated by a distinctively larger bead—a devotee prays to the blessed Virgin and to God the Father. A Hail Mary is recited at each small bead, and a Lord's Prayer at the bigger interval bead. Devotees often make three tours around the rosary, meditating on specific New Testament events […] "Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas
Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing
Orthodox Prayer Beads (Rosary)
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Orthodox Rosaries
"On the simple woolen rope of knots that forms the Orthodox rosary, the Jesus Prayer is recited. This practice is used as an aid to inner attentiveness, breath control and prostration, all of which are integral parts of this rite. Greek Orthodox monks living in monasteries perched on holy Mount Athos on the peninsula of Athos dedicate their lives to the pursuit of hesychia, a silence or a stilling of the heart. […] "Beads of Faith: Pathways to Meditation and Spirituality Using Rosaries, Prayer Beads and Sacred Words
Gray Henry and Susannah Marriott (2008) Fons Vitae Publishing -
Eastern Orthodox Prayer Beads
"In the Orthodox traditions of Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Russia, using prayer beads of knotted ropes is a monastic devotion, often (but not always) reserved for men. Depending on the particular tradition, a prayer strand may have 100 or 103 beads. A Romanian Orthodox prayer rope made to be worn on the wrist has 33 knots. […] "Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas
Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing -
Christianity
" […] In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, both knots and beads are used. Shorter knotted ropes are worn on the wrist. Often made of wool, the Greek prayer ropes—called kombologion—have 33, 50, or 100 knots. Russian chotki have 33, 100, or 500 knots. Sometimes the faithful use bead strands resembling a ladder (each end of a bead touching two parallel strands), which signifies the soul making its ascent […] "Religious Use of Beads » Prayer Bead Traditions » A String & A Prayer: How to Make & Use Prayer Beads
Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon (2007) Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC