The Knidos Labyrinth, named after a place at the tip of a peninsula in West Turkey, Knidos was once a thriving Christian area, dominated by the Eastern Roman Empire of Byzantium, whose capital was Constantinople (Constantine’s City, presently Istanbul). At Constantinople, Emperor Justinian built Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) and elsewhere, at the far reaches of empire, Christian churches and monasteries.
In Knidos, the labyrinth is found inscribed on stone blocks. A recent find (2000), a block of black marble (60 x 70 cm), in addition to the labyrinth is inscribed with four crosses. Beneath the largest are the Alpha and Omega, we associate with the Easter Candle. The Greek words “Kyrie, bothe” (Lord, help me!) are also inscribed.
There is no set way of praying the labyrinth because the mindful, deliberate and slow walking of the path is prayer itself or a quieting of the self to prepare for prayer.
Here, however, are prayer suggestions:
Walking the Labyrinth: The walk has three parts: walking in, resting at the center and walking out.
• PURIFICATION: As walk in, toward the center, pray for release of your fears, distractions, resistances, sins guilt and harmful habits. Repeat slowly, synchronizing it with your steps: “Let go, and let God” or “Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy)
• ILLUMINATION: At the center, pray for light, for the Holy Spirit to fill you. As you rest at the center, repeat slowly: “Be still and know I am the Lord.” or “Breathe on me breathe of God”
• MISSION: On the way out, pray for the Spirit’s guidance in your life and work. Repeat slowly: “Thy will be done.”
