What Is a Prayer Rope Or Komboskini?
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v August 2021 ^ Volume 45, Issue 4 [email protected] 908-233-8533 holytrinitywestfield.org What is a Prayer Rope or Komboskini? o you wear a prayer rope Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on your wrist? Have you seen it worn by some - To Visit United States for St. Nicholas Done else? What is a prayer rope or komboskini (in Russian, vervitsa; in National Shrine Thyranixi Romanian, metanii/metanier)? First, let’s begin by saying what y Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, level of diplomatic and ecclesiastical dignity. The it is not. It is not a piece of jewelry Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν official itinerary will be shared in the coming weeks, or an article of fashion. It is not ὀνόματι Κυρίου! (Ψαλμός 117:25) and it will include a visit to the Metropolises of MBlessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! something “cool” to wear around Pittsburgh and Chicago, with a major ecumenical (Psalm 117:25 LXX) event taking place at the University of Notre Dame the wrist. It is, however, a religious With unsurpassed joy, we announce on the Feast in Indiana. article meant to deepen prayer. of the Glorious Twelve, the Apostolic Visit of His The Visit will conclude in New York City, and As the name implies, a prayer All Holiness BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop will culminate in a dedicatory “Opening of the of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Doors” of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox rope is used to aid prayer. The Patriarch to the United States, October 23 – No- Church and National Shrine at the World Trade komboskini is a rope usually made of vember 3, 2021. This Visit, the first in twelve years, Center on the very anniversary of his Enthrone- will commence the day following the Thirtieth black wool or silk threads knitted ment as Ecumenical Patriarch. All of our Me - Anniversary of the Election of His All-Holiness in knots. For many, not only monks tropolises, Parishes, and Institutions will be able as Ecumenical Patriarch, and include the same and clergy, but also lay people of the to share in this joy, through interactive features anniversary of His Enthronement on the venerable Orthodox Church, the prayer rope See of the First-Called Apostle Saint Andrew on that will accompany His All-Holiness on his Visit. November 2nd. The Apostolic Visit will inaugu- Therefore, with gladness and enthusiasm, let us is a way to guide one’s prayer. The rate the Centennial Celebration of the founding welcome the Spiritual Father of us all, and with wearing of a prayer rope implies of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America heartfelt cries proclaim: “Blessed is he who comes that a person is already devoted to (1922 – 2022), which will be observed next year in the name of the Lord!” across the country. With paternal blessings in the Lord, prayer and practices it daily. The Ecumenical Patriarch will begin by being † ELPIDOPHOROS welcomed in our Nation’s Capital at the highest Archbishop of America Continued on page 2 Wait for the promise of the Father 1 Dates in the Life of Our Church August–September 2021 AUGUST 10 9:00 AM Paraklesis SEPTEMBER 1 8:15 AM Orthros 11 6:00 PM Paraklesis 5 8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 13 6:00 PM Paraklesis 12 Parish Closed 3 9:00 AM Paraklesis 15 Dormition of the Theotokos Asbury Park Holy Cross celebration 4 6:00 PM Paraklesis 8:15 AM Orthros 13 6:00 PM Great Vespers 5 6:00 PM Great Vespers 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 14 8:30 AM Orthros 6 Holy Transfiguration 21 11:00 AM Baptism 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 8:30 AM Orthros 8:15 AM Orthros 22 7:30 PM Parish Council 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 19 8:15 AM Orthros 8 8:15 AM Orthros 29 8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 20 Metropolis of NJ Clergy/Laity each of us should know. Repeat it as mercy). Because the divine name was Komboskini often as possible throughout the day. on his lips, the Devil would come to Continued from page 1 The person wearing the prayer untie the knot to interrupt his prayer. rope knows that each knot is passed Because of his piety however, the Pan- The woolen material symbolizes through the fingers while saying the agia visited St. Anthony to aid him in that we are part of the flock of Christ. Jesus Prayer, thumb over index finger. prayer. In a vision, the Theotokos told Most wear a prayer rope consisting of This is done repeatedly for each of the him to tie each knot by using the sign 33 individual knots although monas- 33 knots. of the Cross. He did this seven times tics have them up to 100 knots. The Traditionally, we begin all prayers making one knot. By this, the Devil 33 knots of the komboskini are symbolic by saying, “Through the prayers of was vanquished and could not untie of Christ’s age when He was crucified. our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, the knot since the power of the Cross have mercy upon on us.” After the has already defeated the Devil. “Amen”, we praise God by reciting the If you wear a prayer rope, or kombos- Trisagion Prayers (Heavenly King, "Lord Jesus Christ, kini, it is a constant reminder for the Comforter… Holy God…,Our Father). necessity of prayer. If you pray and Son of God, have mercy This is followed by thanking God, have already developed a prayer rou- on me, a sinner." confessing His lordship, a request for the forgiveness of sins, and lastly, a call tine, it is a reminder to increase and for intercession by the Theotokos and deepen your prayer life all the more. The use of the prayer rope in the our patron saint. After these opening The prayer rope aids us to accomplish Orthodox Tradition is still alive and prayers, we use the prayer rope, repeat- that which St. Paul advocates that we practiced by many pious folks today. ing the Jesus Prayer a series of times. “give thanks” and “pray without ceas- St. Pachomius the Great (born in the It is said that the method of tying ing”. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 3rd Century) used the prayer rope as a the prayer rope had its origins from way to keep track of prayers and pros- St. Anthony the Great, the father of trations. Yet over all the most popular Orthodox monasticism. As he was ty- BY REV. FR. prayer associated with the komboskini ing a leather rope into a simple knot, he PETER DELVIZIS is the Jesus Prayer. This is a prayer would pray “Kyrie eleison” (Lord, have 2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey Parish Council Support the National Spiritual Father’s Campaign BY FELICIA KARSOS, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT During his first Archpastoral visit specifically directed at the pension fund our parish. to Holy Trinity GOC, His Eminence to be launched this Father's Day. Contributions can be made directly Archbishop Elpidophoros discussed the This Father's Day, as we honor our fa- on-line by visiting the following site: shortfall in the Clergy and Lay employee thers, grandfathers and other important www.supportourfathers.org. pension fund. The pension fund has "father" figures in our lives, it is fitting You can also send a check with the been grossly underfunded. Under the that we also honor our spiritual fathers memo noting "Father's Day Campaign" leadership of His Eminence Archbishop by making a generous contribution of to Holy Trinity. Elpidophoros, the Archdiocese has $100 per family to the Clergy and Lay This is a beautiful expression of our developed a plan to fund the pension employee pension fund. If you are un- love for our church and our Clergy. plan over a 30-year period. With hopes able to meet the contribution of $100, I Please join me in supporting this cam- of shortening this gap, the Archdiocese urge you to still consider making some paign by making your generous dona- is undertaking a fund raising campaign contribution to honor all the clergy of tion this Sunday, June 20, 2021. To contribute please visit: www.supportourfathers.org to make direct payments. Jeannie Arida to serve on the Board of OCMC t is a blessing that Holy Trinity has OCMC board is to foster an increased ways throughout the years. so many talented parishoners who Pan Orthodox engagement among the A parish event to support the work serve on National Boards. Jeannie approximately 1800 parishes nationally. of OCMC is currently being planned IArida has recently been appointed to Currently, the engagement percentage for October 17. Please look for more the Board of the Orthodox Christian is at 19% which indicates there is much details in the near future and plan to Mission Center (ocmc.org). She is a room for growth. It's a blessing that attend this event! member of their Development Board. Holy Trinity has supported the OCMC Congratulations to Jeannie and may One of the strategic goals of the and its missionaries through a variety of our Lord bless her OCMC work! GreekFest “To Go” 2021 hank you to all the volunteers, committee decided to host a family day on light work”. As a part of our stewardship sponsors, donors and patrons for the Sunday following this two-day festival. commitment to the church, it’s important helping make GreekFest 2021 It was a special day of Fellowship after be- that everyone in the parish comes together T“To Go” a great success! We are especially ing apart for so long! We shared delicious and contribute to the success of the festival grateful to our Goyans who played a huge food while supporting church ministries on some level, whether it is as a sponsor, role in helping this year.