Prospera - what is the prosphora in the Orthodox Church?

Many people, visiting services in the church, noticed that they were given small loaves, called prosphors. They are considered a true shrine, which must be honored and protected, so as not to deteriorate. There are rules regarding the use of such ecclesiastical treats.

What is prosphora and why does it taste?

A small loaf of round form, made from a leavened wheat dough on holy water , is called a prosphora. There are several facts about this ecclesiastical treat:

1. They translate this word from the Greek language as "offering."
2. Any additives in such baking, except for yeast and salt, are not put.
3. Finding out what a prosphora is in the Orthodox Church, it should be pointed out that this batch consists of two parts, which symbolizes the union of the human and divine essence in Jesus Christ.
4. On the top there is a seal in the form of a cross with equal sides and in the corners there are letters: IC XI NI KA. The inscription presented means "Jesus Christ wins". The seal itself represents the invisible seal of the Lord's image.
5. If you are interested in what symbolizes a prosphora, then it is worth knowing that it represents the bread of the Last Supper that Jesus shared between his disciples.

What kind of prosphora are there?

There are five main types of sacred bread for the celebration of the Liturgy:

1. Agnichnaya . This is a large prosphora with a cross, from which a lamb is cut with a special knife - a bread that has a cubic shape. During the Liturgy, it becomes the true body of Christ. Part of the prosphora, which is not used, is called an antidote, and it is distributed to believers after the service.
2. Theotokos . On this large prosphora there is a seal "Mary" or the image of the Mother of God. During the proskomedia, a part of the triangular form is taken from the upper part and placed on a special dish together with the lamb.
3. Nine-year-old . This species is dedicated to all saints and nine particles are extracted from its seal.
4. Zazdravnaya . From this bread two parts are extracted for all participants of the liturgy.
5. The funeral . For all deceased believers, only one particle is taken from the upper part of the prosphora.

There are special types of prosphora, which include artos - bread, consecrated on Easter night. The priest asks the Lord for blessing and help in healing the diseases. Artos throughout the entire Bright Week is opposite the Royal Gates, and on Saturday it is divided into small pieces and distributed to believers. This prosphora symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ and recalls his being on earth.

Prospera - the recipe for cooking

Sacred bread can be cooked at home using an old recipe. It is important to know how to bake prosphora, because there are several features that are worth considering.

Ingredients:

• flour of the highest grade of fine grinding - 1,2 kg;
• Holy water;
• yeast - 25 g.

Preparation:

1. Pour some holy water into the container, and then, pour about 400 g of flour. Add boiling water and mix to make a mass, like semolina porridge.
2. When everything is cold, put some salt and yeast. Stir and leave to go. After you put the remaining flour and mix well.
3. Leave for another 30 minutes, and then put the dough on the table and roll the layer. For the lower layer, a thickness of 18-20 mm is required, and for the upper layer 11-12 mm. Cover with oilcloth and leave for another 10 minutes.
4. It is necessary to cut the layer into circles, taking into account that the lower part should be larger than the top. The lower halves are covered with a towel and an oilcloth and leave for half an hour. It is important not to allow the dough to dry out.
5. If you are interested in how to bake prosphora at home, then it is important to know that the pan should be greased with a thin layer of natural wax, which is a component of the energy of the sun. On the top, print a suitable size.
6. Lubricate the bottom and connect it to the top. Pierce both halves with a needle to remove excess air, so that no voids will form.
7. The oven should be heated to 200-250 degrees. Bake until done, and this is 15-20 minutes.
8. Finished bread should be covered with several layers: a dry cloth, wet, then again dry and a blanket. In this condition, leave the prosphora for an hour.

Prospera - how to use?

There are several rules concerning how to eat sacred bread correctly. Do this in the morning on an empty stomach and for starters it is recommended to spread a clean napkin on the table and put bread and water on it. Finding out how there is a prosphora of the house, it is worth to say that before the eating, the prayer intended for this occasion is necessarily pronounced. Eat bread over a plate so that the crumbs do not fall to the floor. It is important to note that the prosphora should not be used in cemeteries and crumble on graves.

How correctly to cut a prosphora?

In temples for cutting sacred bread a special knife is used for this purpose. It is called a copy and is a flat knife in the shape of a spearhead. It can not be stored with other cutlery. Many are interested in whether it is possible to cut a prosphora with a knife, and so most clerics say that ordinary kitchen objects should not be used.

Prayer for the adoption of prosphora and holy water

It is believed that when a believer reads a prayer, before eating a prosphora and drinking holy water, it leads to the sanctification of the body and spirit, to the illumination of thoughts, and also this will protect him from evil forces. Parts of the prosphora are taken out at the end of the liturgy and the believers should fold the palms with a cross, and the right one should cover the left. After the transfer of prosphora, it is necessary to kiss the hand of a clergyman. Bring the sacred bread home, put it on a clean napkin and before praying you must read the prayer before taking prosphora and holy water.

When can I have a prosphor?

You can eat holy bread every day, except for a number of restrictions, which will be discussed below. If you are interested in how correctly there is a prosphora, then it is worthwhile to know that sacred bread is usually used on an empty stomach with a sense of humility. Clergymen claim that it is useful for all believers to start their day with prosphora, which should be drunk with holy water.

Is it possible to eat prospora not on an empty stomach?

The rule concerning the use of sacred bread and water on an empty stomach has arisen not just because they are called upon to cultivate reverence in a person and separate the eating from eating. Although holy gifts are received through the mouth, digestive system participates in digestion, the believer should understand that church bread of prosphora is not food and its absorption is a sacred act.

Can I have prophorax during menstruation?

There is an opinion that a woman during critical days should avoid everything that has to do with the church, including she should give up eating sacred bread. This is explained by the fact that the woman is "unclean" and the holy prosphora will be defiled. This topic is controversial, and different clergymen have their own opinion on this matter. St. Athanasius as early as 365, said that a woman in the days of natural renewal of the body can not be "unclean", so everything is foreseen by God. In general, it is impossible to say whether the use of prosphora will be considered a sin.

Can I have a prosphora on Good Friday?

Good Friday is considered the most severe day of fasting before Easter and according to church canons, it is necessary to refrain from eating any food and drinks this day. An exception is prosphora and holy water. The day to survive on bread and water is quite real, but do not forget that these foods need to be eaten not for saturation, but for obtaining a blessing. As for when eating prosphora on Good Friday, it is better to do it in the morning, and then, if possible, refrain from taking.

What to do with withered prosphora?

Many do not know how to properly treat sacred bread, brought from the church or made by own hands. Like any other baking prosphora through some time become dry and many do not know what to do with them. It's simple: you need to soak the bread in the holy water and eat it. It is important to know what to do with the prosphora brought from the church, so it must be stored in a holy corner next to the icons and holy water. For long-term storage it is recommended to put bread in a paper bag.

Prosper was moldy - what should I do?

If the sacred bread has deteriorated, it is considered the result of negligent attitude to the shrine and the clergy recommend confession for this sin. For those who are interested in what to do with a moldy prosphora, you should know that you need to act with it in the same way as with other shrines that you need to destroy. There are several options for action:

1. Bury in an undisturbed place, that is, where people will not walk.
2. Run on the river, but it is important that it does not stick to the shore, so either grind it, or tie it to a stone.
3. It is possible to carry the spoiled prosphora to the church where it will be burned.
4. Priests are allowed to grind the bread and give it to the birds, but it's forbidden to throw crumbs on the ground, so put them on a plank. Animals are forbidden to give prospiration.