2/8 The Rosary hi Magic and Religion.
The Greeks call the knotted cord a komvoschinion {Ko/jL^oaxoniov) ; the Russians give it the old name of vervitsa (' string '). In popular language it bears the name lestovka because of its resemblance to a ladder (lestnitsa) .^ There is also a string of beads called komvo- logion (KOfx^oXoyiov) by the Greeks, and chotki by the Russians. This, according to one authority, is not a religious appliance, but is used by ecclesiastics and laity merely as an ornament or as something to hold in the hand. 2
The komvoschinion, as used by monks on Mount Athos at the present day, has lOO knots, divided by three beads of large size into four equal parts. It has a pendant with three more knots, and terminates with a small cross-shaped tassel. This rosary is used by monks of the highest grade to keep count of a definite number of prostrations every day, a prayer being repeated at the same time. These prostrations are sometimes imposed on a monk as a penance. The komvoschinion is also used for counting any kind of prayers or devotional exercises.^
This form of komvoschinion is used by Hellenic monks in Greece, Turkey, and the East generally, as well as on Mount Athos.
Among the Russian monks the knotted cord used by them is the old Slavic vervitsa. It has 103 knots or beads, separated into unequal groups by larger beads. The groups are arranged as follows: 17 + 33+40+12, and an additional small bead at the end. In the Slavic vervitsa the lower ends are fastened together ; they terminate in three fiat triangles, inscribed and ornamented. Sometimes these rosaries are made of little rolls of leather chain- stitched together, being divided by larger rolls. The
^ N. F. Robinson, Monaslicism in the Orthodox Churches, p. I59f.
- Ibid. p. 155. Father Tlnirslon, however, doubts whether this clear distinc-
tion is justified by usage. Ibid. p. 155.
