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I recently purchased a Lestovka (chotki, or Jesus Prayer rope used prior to the Nikonian reforms) and was wondering the recitation methodology for the Old Belief Jesus Prayer rope, and how it differs from the Greek rope. If anyone could provide me with a guide I would be grateful.

I ordered the Lestovka from the Erie site, and I would like to be able to practice using the rope authentically.

Thanks,
Predánije

Predanije:

Christ is in our midst!! He is and always will be!!

Didn't the lestovka come with instructions on how to pray it? You might inquire from the Erie parish.

BOB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lestovka

Perhaps this will help .

Predánije:

Here is what is in the Old Orthodox Prayer Book, which is published by Church of the Nativity in Erie:

"When using the Lestovka for a rule of prayer, the three large counters at either end are used with the prayer, God be merciful, the remaining one hundred counters are used for the repitition of the Prayer of Jesus (with bows and/or prostrations)."

I also highly recommend the prayer book.

Chris:

I just ordered that prayer book, it looks a real treasure.

-Predánije

Dear Friends,

There are some minor variations on the rule governing the Lestovka, but this is fairly standard:

One begins with the Trisagion prayers and then the Prayer of the Publican as given above with a bow on each of the three larger steps (beginning with the end that leads to the first division of 12 smaller steps).

Then the Jesus Prayer 12 times and the prayer "Rejoice O Theotokos" or "Hail Mary" on the larger step.

One could also say the prayer of the Good Thief,instead of the "Rejoice O Theotokoks" one verse for each of the three divider steps: Remember me O Lord . . . Remember me O Master . . . Remember me O Holy One . . . One makes the Sign of the Cross and a bow at the end of either the "Hail Mary" or the prayer of the Good Thief each time.

When one gets through 100 Jesus Prayers, one says the "Glory be" on the space leading to the three larger steps at the end.

Then one on each of the three larger steps, one says: "Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O Lord" (Two not three Alleluias, according to Old Ritualist rubrics).

Then one says "Lord have mercy" on each of the three larger steps on the other side and again "Glory be" on the space leading back up to the 12 smaller steps of the Lestovka and one begins the Lestovka anew.

Old Believers prescribe 7 Lestovkas per day as a minimum in honour of the seven Mysteries/Sacraments of the Church.

To use the Lestovka as a substitute for the Hours is as follows:

Matins - 15 Lestovky

Vespers and Nocturns - 6 Lestovky each

Small and Middle Compline (Middle Compline is specific to the Old Rite alone) - 400 Lestovky and 700 Lestovky for Great Compline

for the four Hours together - 10 Lestovky but 15 Lestovky when the Inter-hours are used during the Fasts. 4

For the whole Psalter - 60 Lestovky and 3 Lestovky for each Kathisma.

During the Great Fast especially, the last 17 smaller steps toward the end of the Lestovka is used for the Prayer of St Ephrem.

One begins on the first smaller step with "Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen" ("Son of God" is used in the Old Rite by laity especially rather than "our God.")

Then the three prayers of St Ephrem with bows or prostrations followed by 12 Jesus Prayers and then, on the 17th step, the full prayer of St Ephrem with a prostration. This is done at each Lestovka on the 17-step section.

After one has completed the Lestovky, one ends with the prayer "It is truly meet" to the Mother of God with a prostration (always, even on Sundays) to the floor, Glory be, three "Lord have mercy" and the longer Jesus Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, the Power of Thy Precious and Life-Giving Cross, the Holy and All Praised Apostles, our Venerable and God-bearing Fathers (name other Saints) and all Thy Saints, have mercy on me and save me for Thou art Good and the Lover of Mankind. Amen.

A blessed Christmas to all!

Alex