It is unlikely that today there is a person who is not familiar with such words: "our daily bread." But unfortunately, not everyone knows that they are from the “Our Father” prayer, which emphasizes a special respect for bread, which appears here not as a trivial food product, but as a symbol meaning everything that is necessary to maintain a person’s soul and body. One of its incarnations is church mantle.
History of occurrence
Church butter, or, as it is also called, prosphora, is a small round loaf of bread that is used in church sacraments and in remembrance in Proskomidia. Its name translates as "offering." In the first centuries of Christianity, believers brought bread and everything necessary for worshiping with them. The minister accepting all this included their names on a special list, which was announced after prayers at the consecration of gifts.
Some of the offerings, namely bread and wine, were used for the Sacrament, the rest was tasted by the brethren in the evening or distributed to believers. In a way, this tradition has survived to the present day. After the service at the exit from the temple, the ministers distribute bits of prosphora to the parishioners.
Later, the word "prosphora" began to be used only as the name of the bread that is used to perform the liturgy. He began to bake specifically for this purpose.
The symbolism of prosphora
It is bread, which, by the power of God, changes its essence or, as Christians say, is transformed into the Body of Christ. This happens during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, at the moment when the priest plunges the particles taken out on the proskimid into the Cup, in which the Body and Blood of Christ, while uttering a special prayer.
The round shape of the prosphora is not accidental; it is made so, acting as a symbolic expression of Christ's eternity. In addition, there are other, similar interpretations. Many believe that this is a sign of eternal life as an individual person, and all of humanity in Christ.
Church mantle consists of two parts: upper and lower. It also makes sense. The two parts put together symbolize the special nature of man, which appears in the unity of two foundations: the Divine and the human.
The upper part is the spiritual principle of man. His carnal, earthly condition is symbolized by the lower one, which the church mantle has.
The photo allows you to see on its upper part a seal consisting of a cross and an inscription. The latter, translated from Greek, marks the victory of Jesus Christ.
Church pastries recipe
For the preparation of prosphora take the best wheat flour 1.2 kg. To knead the dough, one third should be poured into a deep bowl and add holy water. After stirring a little, the dough is poured with boiling water. Do it for the strength and sweetness of prosphora.
A little later, a little salt diluted with holy water and 25 grams of yeast are added to the cooled mixture. All this is mixed and aged for about half an hour. The remaining two-thirds of flour is poured into the risen dough and knead well. Then again left for half an hour, giving the opportunity to approach.
The finished risen dough is rolled out, carefully rubbing with flour. Using a mold, they make circles: the upper parts are smaller, the lower ones are larger. After that, the prepared parts are covered with a damp cloth, on which they put dry, and so leave for half an hour.
Next, a seal is placed on the upper part, it is connected to the bottom, wetting the contacting surfaces with warm water. The formed prosphora is punctured with a needle in several places, put on a baking sheet, then in the oven, where they bake for 15-20 minutes.
Ready muffins are laid out on the table and wrapped, first covering with a dry, then moist and again dry cloth, and give them an hour to rest. Then they are placed in special baskets.
The recipe itself also has a special meaning. Flour and water symbolize human flesh, and yeast and holy water symbolize his soul. All this is inextricably linked, and at the same time, each component has its own meaning. Holy water is God's grace bestowed on man. Yeast is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives life with its life-giving power.
How and when to use prosphora
Anyone who attends church knows when church pastries are eaten. This happens after the first Liturgy, if on this day the believer takes communion, then a little earlier - after the Eucharist. They eat this sacred bread with a special feeling - humbly and reverently. This should be done before eating.
It is useful for any believer to start his day with the drinking of holy water and eating prosphora. To do this, spread a clean tablecloth or napkin. On it, prepare a meal sanctified by God, consisting of prosphora and holy water. Before using them, you must certainly create a prayer that is pronounced specifically for this occasion. Church mantle is tasted over a plate or sheet of paper. This is done so that her crumbs do not fall on the floor and are not trampled.