Old believers and the Lestovka

[Teke]

Are old believers and their prayer rope, the lestovka or vervitsa frowned upon in current Orthodox practice and belief?

Personally, I like the lestovka prayer rope.

 

[Nickolai]

Some Old believers are part of canonical Orthodox churches so there's no problems with their practices. In regards to the Lestovka specifically, I just don't think it's done much outside of the Old Believer community.

It's still always best to pose questions related to ones prayer rule to ones spiritual Father though.

In Christ,
Reader Nikolai

 

[Ilian]

I think they are much more preferable than the Greek style prayer ropes.

As to whether they are frowned on, I can't see how. St. Seraphim of Sarov for instance used the Lestovka in his prayer rule even before the Ukaz of toleration, and as of now the MP has lifted all the anathemas on the Old Rite.

 

[eoe]

I think they are much more preferable than the Greek style prayer ropes

Why is that?

Could someone give a good description on what the lestovka is and how it differs from the prayer rope?

 

[Ilian]

Lestovki are stepped differently than a Komboskini and so would be used with a set of prayers that is ordered differently. Some may have a personal preference for this. Another difference is the use of leather vs. wool. My preference is for the leather of the Lestovka.

 

[Teke]

Why is that?

Could someone give a good description on what the lestovka is and how it differs from the prayer rope?

"In 17th century Russia, the Orthodox faithful developed the leather "Lestovka" which is based on St Basil's division but goes beyond it.

Beginning with four sided triangles at the bottom, these represent the four Gospel writers and the embroidery on them is the actual teaching of OLGS Jesus Christ.

Immediately above it are three steps on both sides which, together with the three steps used as dividers in the body of the Lestovka proper, represent the nine choirs of Angels.

As we go along the Lestovka, we come to twelve smaller steps which represent the twelve Apostles, and then a larger divider step. Then there are 38 steps which represent the 36 weeks and two days in which Christ was in the Womb of the Most Holy Mother of God - and then another divider step. After this are 33 steps representing the years in which our Lord lived on earth. And then there are 17 steps representing the 16 OT Prophets and John the Baptist, the fulfillment of the Prophets.

The Jesus Prayer is said on all the smaller steps and the "Rejoice, Mary" or "Hail Mary" is said on the three divider steps.

Or else the Old Believers say the following three prayers on each of the three divider steps:

"Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom"

"Remember me, O Master, when You come into Your Kingdom"

"Remember me, O Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom"

And then one may end with "Rejoice, Mary" three times and the prayer "It is truly meet."

The Psalmic Doxology is used at the end of each 100 Jesus Prayers (on the three steps above the triangles) which is: Glory be . . . (once) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to You, O God (three times) Lord have mercy (three times) and Glory be . . . (once).

Not only the Old Believers, but the entire Russian Orthodox Church used and continue to use the Lestovka. St Seraphim of Sarov himself only used Lestovka in his prayers and his Lestovka is on display at his shrine. A recently published encyclopaedia of Orthodoxy in Moscow included drawings of both the prayer rope and the Lestovka as equally legitimate Orthodox monastic and lay aids to prayer. But this is the only prayer-counter used by the Old Believers and their bishops today often wear the Lestovka, with the triangles cut off, around their necks with their pectoral Crosses/Panahias.

The prayer rope is wrapped around the left wrist of monastics and clerics (lay people should always ask for a blessing from their priest if they wish to wear a prayer rope in this way). The Lestovka is carried on one's elbow.

Practically, the Lestovka is used by the faithful during the Church services to help them count the "Kyrie Eleison" or "Lord have mercy" 12 or 40 times.

The bows of the prayer of St Ephrem for Lent/the Great Fast are also counted on the 17 step section of the Lestovka (beginning with a bow from the waist for the beginning "Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us" which amounts altogether to 17 bows)."
Dr. Alexander Roman