"Chotki" term is the Russian translation for "prayer rope" and "komboskini" is the translation for "prayer rope" in Greek. The prayer rope is a circular rope woven from yarn and comprised of knots that is used as an aid in prayer. It is either carried or worn (usually on the wrist). It is most commonly used for praying the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

For many centuries, Christians have asked themselves, “How is it possible to pray without ceasing?” The Eastern Christian fathers and mothers of the earliest centuries of the Church, devised a method of constant prayer which has been near to the hearts of all, since it is Biblical, practical and accessible at any time and in any circumstance by priests, monks, nuns, and lay people. This method is the Jesus Prayer.

As we sit, stand, or kneel, we hold the prayer rope in our hand (usually the left) between our thumb and our index finger. We pray the Jesus Prayer once: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner," and then we continue to the move to the next knot. We continue to repeat the prayer, proceeding to the next knot after each prayer, until we come to the end of the prayer rope. 33 Knot. Black and Red.