A Prosphora (Greek Προσφωρα, Offering) is a small loaf of bread used in Orthodox Christian ritual. It is usually round, with a cross or the image of a saint (especially the Theotokos) stamped on the top before baking. Breads are a group of staple foods prepared by baking, steaming, or frying dough consisting minimally of flour and water. ... The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, is a Christian body whose adherents are largely based in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with a growing presence in the western world. ... A ritual is a formalised, predetermined set of symbolic actions generally performed in a particular environment at a regular, recurring interval. ... The traditional form of the Christian cross, known as the Latin cross The Christian cross is a familiar religious symbol of most Christianity. ... The Savior Not Made By Hands (1410s, by Andrei Rublev) An icon (from Greek εικων, eikon, image) is an artistic visual representation or symbol of anything considered holy and divine, such as God, saints or deities. ... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... Russian Orthodox Icon of the Theotokos Theotokos is a Greek word that means God-bearer or Mother of God. It is a title assigned by the early Christian Church to Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431. ... Baking is the technique of cooking food in an oven by dry heat applied evenly throughout the oven. ...

Divine Liturgy

For the use of prosphora in the Divine Liturgy, see Eucharist. The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ... The Eucharist is either the celebration of the Christian sacrament commemorating Christ’s Last Supper, or the consecrated bread and wine of this sacrament. ...

Panagia

Prosphora with the icon of the Theotokos is called Panagia and is solemnly blessed (αρτος της παναγιας) in her honor during the Divine Liturgy; this practice is usually only performed today in Greek monasteries. This bread is blessed over the holy table, before the blessing of the antidoron, with the phrase "Great is the name of the Holy Trinity." This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ... Buddhist monastery near Tibet A monastery is the habitation of monks. ... Picture of an altar from the Meyer Encyclopaedia An altar, (Hebrew mizbeah, from a word meaning to slay) is any structure on which sacrifices known as the korbanot as well as incense offerings are offered for religious purposes. ... This article concerns the holy Trinity of Christianity. ...

After the liturgy, a triangular portion is cut from the prosphora by the refectorian (monk in charge of the refectory). The Panagia is then cut in half and laid crumb upwards on a dish in a small table in the refectory. After the meal, the refectorian takes off his monastic veil and hat, saying, "Bless me, holy Fathers, and pardon me a sinner," to which the brotherhood replies, "May God pardon and have mercy on you." Then, taking the Panagia in his fingertips, he lifts it up while saying, "Great is the name," and then the community continues with "of the Holy Trinity." The rite then continues with "All-holy Mother of God, help us" with the reply "At her, prayers, O God, have mercy and save us." Two hymns are then sung while the refectorian, accompanied by a cleric with a hand censer, offers the Panagia to those assembled. Each takes a piece between his finger and thumb, passes it through the incense, and then eats it. A Roman Catholic monk A monk is a person who practices monasticism, adopting a strict religious and ascetic lifestyle, usually in community with others following the same path. ... A refectory is a dining room, especially in monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions, its use today is considered somewhat pretentious. ... A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. ... A hymn is a song specifically written as a song of praise, adoration or prayer, typically addressed to a god. ... A cleric is: A member of the clergy of a religion, especially one that has trained or ordained priests, preachers, or other religious professionals; or A member of a character class in Dungeons & Dragons and similar fantasy role-playing games. ... A censer is a vessel for burning incense. ...

Reference

• The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity, p. 368 (ISBN 0631232036)

External link

www.prosphora.org Recipies, history, and techniques of prosphora baking.