Source: OrthodoxWiki
Rosary The rosary was originally an Orthodox form of prayer that was later adopted by the Roman Catholics. It has since fallen out of common practice in the Church. History The prayer rope was formed by St. Pachomius in the fourth century. From there the rosary developed, some say as early as the eighth century. It is said that even centuries later St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833) used it to pray to the Virgin Theotokos. In the thirteenth century, Roman Catholics started using in the West following its discovery by Dominic de Guzmán, a Spanish priest. Method The prayers said on this form of the prayer rope are the Hail Mary (also Hail Mother of God and Virgin), the Lord's Prayer, and the Jesus Prayer. The Hail Mary is said in groups of ten, and in between each group of ten are said the Lord's Prayer and the Jesus Prayer. Between each grouping of Hail Marys, a meditation is also pronounced, which is then thought of throughout the succeeding Hail Marys. Meditations * Meditation 1- The Birth of the Theotokos * Meditation 2- The Presentation of the Theotokos * Meditation 3- The Annunciation of the Lord's Birth * Meditation 4- The Meeting of the Theotokos and St. Elizabeth * Meditation 5- The Birth of the Lord * Meditation 6- The Prophecy of St. Simeon * Meditation 7- The Flight into Egypt * Meditation 8- The Boy-Christ among the Doctors * Meditation 9- The Wedding of Cana * Meditation 10- The Crucifixion of the Lord * Meditation 11- The Resurrection of the Lord * Meditation 12- The Ascension of the Lord into Heaven * Meditation 13- Pentecost * Meditation 14- The Dormition of the Virgin Theotokos * Meditation 15- The Crowning of the Theotokos by the Blessed Trinity Connection with St. Seraphim It is said by some that St. Seraphim of Sarov used the rosary as a prayer rule to the Theotokos. Supporting evidence shows that this may be true, seeing that one of his spiritual children, Fr. Zosima, wrote: "...Say the 0 Hail, Mother of God and Virgin one hundred and fifty times... This rule was given by the Mother of God herself in about the eighth century... We Orthodox have forgotten about it, and St. Seraphim has reminded me of this Rule. In my hands I have a hand-written book from the cell of St. Seraphim, containing a description of the many miracles which took place through praying to the Mother of God and especially through saying one hundred and fifty times the O Hail, Mother of God and Virgin... Whomever he spoke to about this miracle-working Rule remained grateful to him...". OthodoxWiki's sources:
Orthodox Rosary and Use of the Hail Mary on the Prayer Rope
******* Link to "How to Pray the Rosary, modified for Byzantine Rite"
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Ethiopian Orthodox Mequteria Prayers In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tradition, the commonly used prayer ropes are those with 41, and 64 beads, also known as a Mequteria. 41 is the number of lashes that Jesus received and 64 is the age of the Theotokos at her Assumption. Some monks and hermits use 150 to 300 beads, or even more than that. When using the 41 bead Mequteria , the prayers recited are: 1. The Lord's Prayer with Gabriel's Salutation: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. O, Our Lady Virgin Mary, we hail thee by the salutation of Angel Gabriel. Thou are virgin in thy mind. Thou are virgin in thy body. Hail Mary, Mother of Almighty God. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Rejoice Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Pray for us to your beloved Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that he may forgive us our sins now and forever Amen." (12 times) 2. Lord have mercy on us (41 times) 3. In the name of Mary, Lord have mercy on us (41 times) 4. Kirya Layson (Kyrie Elieson) (41 times) 5. Sador (the piercing on the ribs by the lancet), Alador (the piercing on the right hand), Danat (the piercing on the left palm), Adera (the piercing on right foot), Rodas (the piercing on the left foot) (41 times) 6. O! God (41 times)
7. O! Christ (41 times) 8. Save us from wrath and deliver us by your mercy, in the name of Mary Your Mother (41 times) 9. Hear us! Our God and Savior (41 times) 10. Elohe! (Pronounced as “Elohee” and is the same as “Eloi” mentioned in Mt. 27:46) (41 times) 11. Ye! Ye! Ye! (Pronounced as “Yae” meaning “woe to me”) My God see me! (41 times) 12. O! God according to your mercy and not according to our sin (12 times) 13. Lord remember us in thy Kingdom (12 times) 14. The Magnificat: "Hail Mary, we bow unto thee. Our Mother Mary we pray unto thee. We beseech thee to protect us from the evil beast. O! Virgin, in the name of Anna your mother, and Joachim your father, bless our congregation today!! Amen. The prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God: My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Amen. (7 times) These are the 14 common recitations by all those who use the Mequteria. One can, however, add more according to his or her needs or interests. When using a 64 bead Mequteria all the prayers recited 41 times, will instead, be recited 64 times. Those prayers recited 7, or 12 times remain the same.
