There is hardly a person today who does not know such words: "our daily bread." But unfortunately, not everyone knows that they are from the Lord's Prayer, which emphasizes a special respect for bread, which appears here not as a trivial food product, but as a symbol that means everything necessary to maintain the soul and body of a person. One of such incarnations of him is church prosvirka.
History of occurrence
Church prosvirka or, as it is also called - prosphora, is a small round loaf that is used in church sacraments and during commemoration in Proskomedia. Its name is translated as "offering". In the first centuries of Christianity, believers brought bread and everything necessary for the performance of worship with them. The minister who received all this included their names in a special list, which was announced after the prayers at the consecration of the gifts.
Part of the offerings, namely bread and wine, was used for Communion, the rest was eaten by the brethren at the supperor distributed to believers. In some way, this tradition has survived to this day. After the service, at the exit from the temple, the ministers distribute pieces of prosphora to the parishioners.
The later word "prosphora" was used only as the name of the bread that is used to celebrate the liturgy. It was baked specifically for this purpose.
Symbolism of prosphora
It is a bread that, by the power of God, changes its essence or, as Christians say, it is transubstantiated 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 proskomedia into the Cup, in which the Body and Blood of Christ, while saying a special prayer.
The round shape of the prosphora is not accidental, it is made this way, 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 both for an individual and for all mankind in Christ.
Church prosvirka consists of two parts: upper and lower. It also makes sense. The two parts brought together symbolize the special nature of man, which appears in the unity of two foundations: Divine and human.
The upper part represents the spiritual beginning of a person. His carnal, earthly state is symbolized by the lower one, which the church prosvirka has.
The photo allows you to see a seal on its upper part, consisting of a cross and an inscription. Last intranslated from Greek marks the victory of Jesus Christ.
Recipe for church rolls
For the preparation of prosphora take the best wheat flour 1, 2 kg. To knead the dough, one third of it should be poured into a deep bowl and add holy water. After stirring a little, the dough is poured over with boiling water. They do it for the strength and sweetness of the prosphora.
A little later, a little s alt, 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. Pour the remaining two-thirds of the flour into the risen dough and knead well. Then again leave for half an hour, giving the opportunity to approach.
The finished risen dough is rolled out, diligently rubbing with flour. Using a mold, circles are made: the upper parts are smaller, the lower ones are larger. After that, the prepared parts are covered with a damp cloth, on which a dry one is placed, and left for half an hour.
Further, a seal is placed on the upper part, it is connected to the lower one, wetting the contacting surfaces with warm water. The formed prosphora is pierced with a needle in several places, put on a baking sheet, then in the oven, where it is baked for 15–20 minutes.
Ready-made prosvirkas are laid out on the table and wrapped, covering first with a dry, then wet 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 eachcomponent has its own meaning. Holy water is God's grace given to man. Yeast is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives life with its life-giving power.
How and when you can use prosphora
Everyone who attends church knows when they eat church muffins. 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 meals.
It is useful for every believer to start his day by drinking holy water and eating prosphora. To do this, spread a clean tablecloth or napkin. On it, prepare a meal consecrated by God, consisting of prosphora and holy water. Before you use them, you must definitely create a prayer that is said specifically for this occasion. Church prosvirka is eaten over a plate or a sheet of paper. This is done so that her crumbs do not fall to the floor and are not trampled.
