A prosphora is a small round bread that consists of two parts. One is a symbol of nature, and the second is human. This bread is baked with yeast or live kvass. Fresh and pure wheat flour is used. Water and a little salt are added to the dough. A stamp is stamped on the prosphora above. Most often, this image of the letters "IS." And "XC." - Jesus Christ.
What is it?
Prosphora participate in the liturgy. This bread is taken out of the altar and distributed after service to believers. It happens that the church bakes a large number of prosphora. Therefore, they can be seen on sale in a candle shop.
This is not a simple bread. It refers to shrines, since it participates in worship. After the liturgy, prosphora can be taken home with you. But it is better to store them in a designated place. The most convenient place for this is near the icons.
How to use it correctly?
They need to be eaten on an empty stomach and washed down with holy water. Believers often do this with prayers. In prayer they say words about the petition for prosperity, the retreat of the disease, a person repents of the commission of certain sins. This is the best and most unique moment when you can be alone with yourself and talk through prayer with the Lord. It is best to do this in the early morning, if the family is large, then to each member of the family. At the time of eating, you should be careful about crumbs that may fall. This must not be allowed. The prosphora should be completely eaten, without specks and crumbs.
How to store?
There is an unpleasant moment when the prosphora is moldy. What to do? This question is asked by every second person. Since not everyone knows what to do in this situation. It is necessary to lower such a prosphora in running water.
Why is moldy
Why the prosphora is moldy will remain a mystery to any person. After all, this is a sacred product that simply cannot be spoiled. But, unfortunately, this can happen. From the experience of many people, there are various methods for storing this product. The prosphora must be cut into small pieces and put in a linen bag. They will dry and turn into crackers. In this form, they can be eaten gradually. If you put them in a plastic bag, you can not close them and leave them without air. And in the dried state, such pieces can be stored for at least several years. If the prosphora is moldy, what does this mean? Mold may appear on the sacred bread because it contains a little moisture, which is the best medium for bacteria to accumulate.
Lamb Pieces
Many people who believe in God go to church and pray. These are sacred rites, the use of the right meal, the preservation of fasting. Small pieces of the Lamb are cut from a piece of prosphora. They are served in any church during or after the service. The meaning of prosphora is like an antidore. Antidora means Communion. So the prosphora is used for the remission of sins, the cleansing of the soul. Every day people cannot partake of communion, but everyone can afford to eat a piece of prosphora. This is the symbol of communion.
It is necessary to take the prosphora, clasped hands crosswise. After kissing the hand of the priest, who gave prosphora.
What to do with moldy sacred bread?
This question is asked by many. What to do with moldy prosphora? There are several methods that help. It can be launched along the river or thrown into the lake, but only so that it does not come ashore. Having crumbled into small crumbs, prosphora can be given to birds. In this case, it is important that it is not laid on the ground. In this case, you need to use a tablet. The prosphora can be buried in the ground. But only in a place where people do not go. There are rules and customs that cannot be done. It is not allowed to take the moldy prosphora to the church, because it will be burned there, and this can harm human health. Do not feed animals with this bread.
Believers begin to get very worried if they suddenly notice that the prosphora is moldy. The sign is not bad and does not bear negative emotions and events. On any holy day in the church, they distribute this small piece of bread. It is considered as an offering. Since it consists of two parts, you must definitely eat them.
The prosphora recipe does not include anything special. It is prepared only on holy water, yeast, with the addition of salt. The famous seal is placed on top, which shows the inscription "Jesus Christ." These two parts symbolize the essence of it, namely the divine and human essence.
Many are interested in: “What to do with moldy prosphora?” Of course, it is not necessary. Therefore, in the near future, you just need to remove it from home. This is not a sin and sad events does not carry. It is simply important to understand that it is baked for consumption, and many do not eat it right away.
What to do if the prosphora is moldy? The answer of the priest Anthony Skrynnikov
A prosphora was given in the church, it was simply put in a bag and tied up, and then simply forgotten. What to do next? In this situation, a careless attitude to the shrine is described. After all, prosphora is distributed to people to purify the soul. Every day a person cannot take communion, but to eat the sacred prosphora - yes. She cleanses the soul and confesses sins. When the prosphora is moldy, it can be dipped into the river. It can also be buried in the ground, but away from places where people walk.
It is best to ask temple attendants what to do with the moldy prosphora. The priests are sure to give an answer.
Lamb prosphora
You can distinguish various types of sacred prosphora. They are divided by type of holiday. Agnostic prosphora is a large-sized bread on which a cross is depicted. A lamb is also carved on it with a large knife. This liturgy is considered the true body of Jesus Christ. After small pieces, bread is distributed to all believers present. The Mother of God prosphora is also baked for holy holidays. It depicts the seal "Mary" or the image of the Mother of God. It is cut into triangular shapes and placed next to the lamb.
Ninefold, wellness and funeral prosphora. What are they needed for?
The ninefold prosphora was dedicated to all the holy people. After the seal is placed, nine particles are taken out of the bread. A healthy prosphora is baked for the health of liturgy participants. A similar one is funeral, it is used by believers for the repose of dead people.
Some types of prosphora listed here cannot be moldy. Because they are baked in large sizes and cut into small pieces for ease of distribution to everyone participating in the liturgy.
Easter and the sacred prosphora
Several types of prosphora can be distinguished. All of them are made like bread, but have different purposes. In addition, they are made for various church holidays. On Easter night, with the help of these prosphora and liturgy, the priest asks for blessings, so that there are no diseases, and who has ailments, so that they retreat faster.
Such a prosphora is baked in advance. Next is at the altar. After the service was held, the priest divides it into several pieces and distributes it to the faithful and ministers of the church. This prosphora symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ and recalls his presence on earth.
Cooking prosphora. Features
We have already figured out what to do if the prosphora is moldy. The priest's answer is discussed above. Now let's talk about making such bread. According to the following recipe, you can make yourself a sacred prosphora. This recipe applies directly to churches, cathedrals, and temples.
It is necessary to take a container. Pour liquid into it. Must be holy water. Add fresh sifted wheat flour to it. Mix everything well to make the dough not very tight, but similar to semolina. After that, leave to stand a little. When the dough has cooled, dry yeast and a little salt should be added. Then leave for another thirty minutes. Roll out the dough in one layer. It is important to understand that the lower layer should be slightly thicker than the upper layer of the prosphora. Cut the layer into even circles.
The dough should not dry during cooking. If you are doing it at home, you need to understand that the pan must be lubricated with natural wax. The oven must be preheated to two hundred degrees. Prospora is baked for about fifteen minutes. After they must be folded neatly on the table and covered with a warm towel, blanket or gauze in several layers. In this state, the prosphora should lie for about an hour. Then they will be soft buns that can be distributed to people.
Features of use
It is necessary to use prosphora correctly. Most importantly - it should be an early morning, be sure to eat on an empty stomach. You can only drink with holy water. Initially, you need to put water and bread on a clean white napkin. Say a prayer and only then use everything. You need to eat very carefully so as not to utter a single crumb.
How and what do prosphora cut? Special knife
In the church, the prosphora are cut specially for this with a dedicated knife. It is called a copy. It is stored separately from cutlery and not at all in the kitchen. Therefore, it is better not to use a kitchen knife for cutting, as this ordinary item is not suitable for cutting a sacred product. It is best to break into pieces for better storage.
Responsibility
It is strictly forbidden to allow the prosphora to grow moldy. If you took it at church, then be sure to eat it, and do not leave it in the closet. What to do in this case has already been described in this article above. Everyone must understand responsibility and believe that it is a sacred product. It must not be given to animals or left in a bag. Most believers understand that prosphora is used with prayer. A person reads a prayer, takes a piece of this bread and drinks it with sacred water. This leads to the illumination of thoughts, the revival of the soul and body. A person is relieved if he needed to confess or take communion.
Prosphora must be used on an empty stomach. It is believed that during the menstrual cycle, a woman cannot go to church, stand at services, and also have sacred products. Since on such days she is considered an unclean person.
Friday Passion and prosphora. Features of the consumption of sacred bread in fasting
Friday Passion - a period of strict fasting, which requires increased attention. According to church laws, this day you can not eat any drinks and food. You can’t eat bread, eggs and many other products. The exception in this case is prosphora and holy water. You can only eat bread and drink fresh sacred water. Therefore, the prosphora is perfect for eating. It can and should be eaten and should not be refused. But it’s best to do this once a day, namely early in the morning on Good Friday.
Little conclusion
Now you know when to eat prosphora, what is it and what is it for. We told how to act if this sacred bread is moldy. We hope you find this information useful.