Celtic and Eastern Roots of the Rosary: One Rope, One Church
Celtic Orthodox ancient rhythm of counted prayer — way older than Rome's intrusion.
Dear friends in faith,
A new study has just been published at CelticOrthodoxy.com:
📜 “The Origin and Continuity of Prayer Beads and Knots Across Christendom.” click here
For centuries, some have imagined the rosary or prayer beads to be a late invention of the 1600s — a purely Roman development.
But history tells a different story.
Long before any such claim, the Orthodox Church — East and West — already prayed with ropes, knots, and beads.
The Desert Fathers counted hundreds of prostrations and invocations daily.
The Culdees and Celtic monastics followed the same pattern, keeping record of hundreds of blessings and intercessions each day.
Even the Apostles themselves appointed deacons to “serve tables” so that they might remain continually in prayer (Acts 6:4).
This practice of rhythmic, counted, continual prayer runs through the entire history of the united Church.
In the article, you’ll discover:
How the biblical tassel (tzitzit) became the model for the Christian prayer rope.
The Egyptian monastic rules that reached Ireland through St. Patrick and Lérins Abbey.
The ancient legend of St. Anthony’s cross-knotted rope that made its bearer impervious to demonic attack.
Why counted prayer and “repetition” were always seen as acts of faith, not “vain repetition.”
How the Our Father itself commands daily repetition: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
These truths bring unity — showing that from East to West, from Pachomius to Patrick, from tassel to rosary, the same Spirit guided the faithful into ceaseless remembrance of Christ.
✝️ “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1
Let’s restore this ancient connection.
Read the full article here:
👉 The Origin and Continuity of Prayer Beads and Knots Across Christendom
Blessings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev. Dr. Stephen M. K. Brunswick
St. Andrew’s OCC | CelticOrthodoxy.com