Prosphoro
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Recipe-Ingrediants
Prosphoro, or the Divine Liturgy, is the gift, the offering given by the faithful in order to perform the mystery of the Divine Eucharist. It is bread that is round (formerly, before the Fall of Constantinople, square was used), symbolizing the "beginningless" and "endless" nature of God. The seal on it has certain symbols. First, the cross stands out, each center of which has 3 equal-sized squares where we see in each square a cross with the letters IC-XC-NI-KA (Jesus Christ Conquers). On the horizontal part of the central cross, on one side we see a triangle representing the Virgin Mary with the initials MT (Mother of God), and on the other side the 9 orders of angels in 9 small triangles (3 rows of 3 triangles). The prosphoro is kneaded from pure first-quality wheat flour, and not other cereals (corn, rye, etc.). The leaven that we put in the prosphoro is made with basil from the Holy Cross or with holy water instead of yeast. This is also the proof of how wonderful our faith is. The kneading process of the prosphoro is accompanied by the corresponding sanctity and devotion. Silence prevails in the space, and the only thing heard is the prayer that is made parallel to the kneading.
The utensils to be used (bowl, towel, pan) are only for the prosphoro. We do not use them elsewhere. The waters with which we will wash our utensils are collected and poured onto ground that will never be trodden. The preparation of the space is necessary for the kneading process. The space must be spotlessly clean, we must have lit our vigil lamp, and incense and a candle should be burning on the table.
When the prosphoro is baked, we wrap it in a clean towel (which is only for the prosphoro) and thus offer it to the priest for the mystery of the Divine Eucharist.
The priest will cut it into 5 pieces. The central piece, which symbolizes the Lamb, is placed in the center on the Holy Paten. The next piece is that of the Theotokos (the left one, that is) which is placed to the right of the lamb on the Holy Chalice. Then the triangles of the ranks of Angels, 9 in total, are cut to the right and placed to the left of the Lamb, on the Holy Paten. The next piece is for remembrance for health, and the last piece for repose where the priest commemorates the names given to him by the faithful, taking out a crumb for each name.
OUR INGREDIENTS FOR AN 18-POUND PAN
200 g leaven ½ tsp salt
700 g high-gluten flour
200 g lukewarm water
1 small piece of pure candle wax.
Directions
• We cross and cense the space and the utensils we will use
• With the piece of candle wax we have, we melt it and anoint our pan
• We knead while saying the words of the prayer
• The dough will weigh about a kilo
• When our dough is ready, we divide it into 2 equal parts, making 2 small loaves.
• Then we place the loaves one on top of the other in our waxed pan.
• We smooth the surface very well and leave it for about a quarter (to get a light crust) and then we press the seal very well. (Here we must be very careful so that the symbols are distinct and clear)
• When we press the seal with a stick, we create 12 holes (to let air in) and leave it to rise
• When we remove the seal from the prosphoro, we clean it carefully and place it on a plate with olive oil for 2-3 hours. Then we wipe it and keep it wrapped in kitchen paper. WE NEVER WASH IT WITH WATER.
• We bake in the oven at 150°C for half an hour and then at 180°C for another 45 minutes approximately.
THE PRAYER WE SAY DURING THE PROCESS
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen Glory to You, our God, glory to You. Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, You who are everywhere and fill all things, the treasury of good things and giver of life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us of every stain, and save, Good One, our souls. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times) Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. 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 evil. Lord, I thank you for this holy hour in which You deem me, with my sinful hands, worthy to knead the All-Pure gifts of Your Love. I pray, send down Your Holy Spirit Who blesses all the mysteries of Your Church, to bless these gifts too, that they may be good and welcome on Your Holy Altar and please accept them as You accepted Abel's sacrifice, the Magi's gifts, Peter's tears, and the faithfulness of the repentant thief, and deem me always worthy to offer to You conscientiously. Amen. By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
LEAVEN WITH THE HOLY CROSS BASIL
We take a sprig from the church on the day of the Holy Cross (September 14) and place it in lukewarm water in a bowl and cross it while reading the prayer of the prosphoro. Then we remove the sprig of basil and add high-gluten flour until it becomes a slurry. We leave it until the next day. When we see it has risen, we add a little lukewarm water and a little flour and say the prayer again. We repeat the same the next day. On the fourth day, we place it in the refrigerator. We maintain the leaven by taking a part of it for baking bread, prosphoro, pie, etc., and replenishing it with lukewarm water and high-gluten flour always. -The same process is done with HOLY WATER Inside a bowl, we make a cross with the holy water, saying the prayer of the prosphoro, and fill up with lukewarm water and high-gluten flour until it becomes a slurry. The remaining process is done as with the basil.
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