Taking time to prepare a delicious Greek Orthodox Church bread is a great way to welcome guests to your home. With a little patience and a few simple ingredients, you can make delicious homemade bread that will impress your friends and family.
Table of Contents
Artos
Historically, the Greek Orthodox Church bread, Artos, has been a symbol of the Risen Lord. It is also a symbol of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The apostles partook of the body and blood of Christ at the Last Supper. They remembered the words and actions of their teacher. They also left the first place at the table for the Teacher.
The earliest mention of Artos comes from the 12th century. It was mentioned in an ancient church story. The story connects Artos to the Most Holy Mother of God.
Jesus Christ’s disciples and followers were comforted by Artos, a symbol of the Risen Lord. The bread provided them with food to sustain them through the days following the Resurrection. The bread also symbolized the miracle of feeding a large number of people. The bread is also said to strengthen believers’ mental strength. The church has kept a tradition of using Artos in worship since the Apostles.
Prosphora
Traditionally, the Greek Orthodox Church has a Prosphora bread recipe. It is a special type of bread that is offered to the Lord during the Divine Liturgy. It is also offered at birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
Prosphora is a loaf of leavened bread that is used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. It is also used in Greek Catholic liturgies. It is different from the Western Catholic tradition of an unleavened host. It is made from four basic ingredients.
First, the flour is kneaded. You will want to use durum wheat flour, which is low in gluten and rich in flavor. This flour is available from King Arthur Flour or other sources.
Next, the yeast is added. The yeast will change the appearance of the dough, and it should be kneaded a bit before forming into a round loaf. You will need a large mixing bowl for this.
Finally, the flour and salt are mixed together. If your dough is sticky, you may need to add more flour.
Kollyva
During the Greek Orthodox Church, there are certain ritual foods that are prayed over and blessed after the Divine Liturgy. Koliva is one of these foods. It is made with boiled wheat kernels and is used during funerals and memorial services.
The koliva is decorated with nuts and dried fruit. The decoration may vary depending on the type of religious need. It can also be customized to suit personal tastes. Silver candies and silver coated candies are often used in decoration.
The Kollyva is blessed during funerals and memorial services. It is made with boiled wheat kernels that are mixed with other ingredients. The mixture is then formed into a mound and then decorated with powdered sugar. It is placed on a platter. The kolyva is then ordained by the priest during the memorial service.
It is distributed to the congregation after the service. The kolyva is decorated with the initials of the deceased person’s last name. It is also decorated with a large cross in the center. It is often topped with raisins or pomegranates. It may also be decorated with a white candied almond.
Artoklasia
During the liturgy of the Orthodox Church, the priest blesses the bread, or prosforo, that is made in the prosphoron. This symbol symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ and the physical presence of the Risen Lord in His church. It also symbolizes the Eucharist, which is the Lord’s Supper.
The priest then places the loaf on a small table before Iconostasis. A cross, symbolizing Christ’s victory over death, is placed on the top of each loaf. This seal is also stamped onto the loaves. It also includes the letters IC-XC NIKA, meaning that Jesus Christ conquered.
This service is usually offered on a special feast day, such as Name Day or Name of the Lord. It is also part of the Monastic All-Night Vigil.
Before the vespers, the family makes five loaves of special bread for the Artoklasia Service. This service is offered to commemorate the miracle of the Five Thousand who were fed with five loaves of bread. It is also a thank you to the Saints for their virtuous lives. It is also a prayer for the salvation of those who prepared the loaves.
