What is prosphora? How to properly store and use it?

When artos is taken out and distributed

Artos is placed in front of the open Royal Doors on the Easter holiday itself. It is consecrated at the Easter liturgy after the prayer behind the pulpit, then incense is performed and the artos is sprinkled with holy water.

This consecrated bread lies in front of the open Royal Doors throughout Bright Week. Every day of the holiday week there is a religious procession around the temple with artos. After this, the artos is placed in its original place in front of the altar.

On Bright Saturday, artos is divided by the clergy and distributed to all believers in a small piece. On this day, parishioners should have a bag with them so as not to drop the crumbs of the holy bread.

Appearance and taste

Not all believers know for certain that the prosphora symbolizes the bread of the Last Supper, which Jesus Christ once divided among his disciples. Externally, this is a small round cookie, on the top side of which you can see a cross with equal sides and letters in the corners: IS XC NI KA. This inscription also has its own meaning and interpretation, and is translated as “Jesus Christ conquers.” Prosphora is a seal of the image of the Lord, which extremely rarely can become moldy, dry out, or become unusable.

Why is artos needed?

Artos is the consecrated bread through which we can experience the joy of Easter throughout the year. It reminds us of the festive spirit that reigned during Bright Week. By eating a piece of artos, we renew our body and soul and elevate our spirit.

The attitude towards artos should be reverent; you should not litter its crumbs. For a long time, bread played a special role in Rus'. They treated it with respect, tried not to litter it, not to drop it, because the work of many people was associated with it. In addition, when reading the prayer “Our Father,” where we ask for our daily bread, any bread on the table is blessed. Therefore, even bread crumbs were collected and eaten or given to the birds.

Bread at the Liturgy is of great importance; it is transformed into the Body of Christ. In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary there is a special bread called “Panagia”. In some monasteries the rite of Panagia still exists, i.e. exaltation of bread in honor of the Most Pure One. This is how important attention is paid to simple bread in the Orthodox environment.

Moreover, artos is a special bread blessed for Easter. And the attitude towards him should be special. This is a gift that is offered to God in honor of His resurrection.

What is prosphora? How to properly store and use it?

On November 13, the Church honors the day of remembrance of the holy prosphora bearers of Pechersk - the Venerables Spyridon and Nicodemus. In this regard, let's talk about prosphora.

This word means “offering” in translation from Greek. In the proper logical sense of the ancient Church, this is every liturgical offering: bread, wine, water, oil, candles. The deacons wrote down the names of the donors of the prosphora-offering in a special commemoration book and commemorated them at the Liturgy. Later, the word “prosphora” began to refer specifically to the bread intended for the Eucharist.

Why bread? Because the Lord Himself called Himself Bread. “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:48). And during the Last Supper, it was the Lord who broke the bread, saying: “This is my body, which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Prosphora is a round small bread consisting of two parts (a symbol of the dual nature of Christ - Divine and human). The bread must be yeast or leavened - “live”. Let us remember the Gospel parable about leaven (Matthew 13:33). Prosphora is always baked from pure wheat flour. It also consists of water (possibly Epiphany water) and salt. There is a seal at the top of the prosphora. Most often it is a cross and the letters “Is.”, “Xs.” – Jesus Christ and the Greek “Nike” - “victory”. Images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and saints are also possible on seals.

From the prosphora with the seal of Christ, a Lamb is cut out, which at the Liturgy will become the Body of Christ, from the rest pieces are taken out with the commemoration of the names of living and deceased Orthodox Christians. At the end of the Liturgy, the prosphora is taken out of the altar and distributed to the faithful. This is often done in a candle shop.

The prosphora should be treated as a shrine. This is not ordinary bread. He participated in the divine service (the Holy of Holies of the Orthodox Church) - the Liturgy.

At home it should be kept in a special place, you can near icons, consumed with holy water only on an empty stomach with a special prayer: “Lord my God, may Your holy gift be: prosphora and Your holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for strengthening my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities according to Your infinite mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen". You should be careful about the crumbs, try not to litter or scatter them. Moldy prosphora is traditionally disposed of: thrown into the river - into running water.

From my own experience, I will say that it is most convenient to store prosphora in the following way. While it is fresh, cut it into small pieces, put them in a linen bag to dry (you can also put it in a plastic bag, just do not close it so that there is air access). When the particles dry out, they can be stored for at least several years. Small pieces are more convenient to eat. In addition, whole prosphora will mold much faster because moisture is retained inside it, which can become a breeding ground for mold spores.

The meaning of the prosphora is similar to the meaning of the antidor. It is also pieces of the prosphora from which the Lamb was carved. The word "antidor" translated from Greek means "instead of communion." That is, we cannot receive communion every day, but we have the opportunity to eat prosphora and drink holy water reverently as a kind of symbol of communion. Not a substitute. These are not equivalent things. The Body and Blood of Christ are immeasurably higher. But as a symbol of the Liturgy, a symbol of the Holy Eucharist, the embodied memory of which is the prosphora, and, of course, with proper faith, reverence and fear of God, the prosphora revives and supports our spiritual and bodily strength.

How and when to eat artos

This consecrated bread must be eaten at special difficult moments in life in order to partake of the joy of Easter. For example, during illness or grief, when the soul and body are especially tired. By eating a piece of artos, we revive the tired spirit and make it able to strive for God. But it should not be confused with Holy Communion or antidoron.

You should eat artos on an empty stomach, after reading the prayer for accepting the prosphora and holy water. After the prayer, you need to add the words: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”, you can sing the Easter troparion. You should try not to crumble when eating artos.

Kinds

Before using such bread in church, it is important to know its purpose and all the existing varieties. According to church laws, the classification is as follows:

1. Mother of God prosphora. This is a large triangular-shaped loaf of bread that has the inscription “Mary” or “Holy Mother of God”. It is placed on a special dish along with the lamb, and is consumed mainly on religious holidays.
2. Agnic. This is a large cube-shaped bread, which during the liturgy becomes the true body of Jesus Christ. Externally, the prosphora is equipped with a cross, from which a lamb is cut out with a special knife. The unused part of the bread, called antidor, is distributed free of charge to parishioners after the service.
3. Nine-day. From a seal of this type, 9 particles are taken out, which are dedicated to all the saints. It is required to use for John the Baptist, Joachim and Anna, the prophets, saints, apostles, Archdeacon Stephen and the martyrs, the unmercenaries, Methodius and Cyril, Prince Vladimir, all saints. Dedicated to the holy author of the liturgy, for example, John Chrysostom or Basil the Great.
4. Zazdravnaya. The sacred bread is divided into two symmetrical parts and eaten for all participants in the liturgy after the service in the church.
5. Funeral. For such a case, only one particle is taken from the upper part of the prosphora, which must be eaten for all the dead and deceased. This cannot be done in the cemetery after the funeral service and burial of the newly appointed servant of God; it is strictly forbidden to crumble the bread on the graves.

Artos and Antidorus in Orthodoxy

When studying the varieties of prosphora, it is worth highlighting such a church concept as “artos”. This is the Greek word “arto”, which literally translates as “leavened bread”. So what is artos and why is this concept important in the Orthodox religion? Such a prosphora is placed in front of the altar on Easter Bright Week, consecrated on Easter, and divided and distributed to believers on Saturday of Bright Week. Such bread is supposed to be kept at home, and eaten if a believer is suddenly overtaken by illness, he falls ill.

Antidoron (translated as “instead of communion”) is the unused part of the bread, which after the completion of the liturgy is distributed to all parishioners who wish. From the point of view of Christianity, this is the memory of the suffering of Christ on the cross. Therefore, it is necessary to use antidor carefully and carefully. It is important to clarify that such a portion of the sacred bread should not be given to unbaptized people. If artos is a symbol of the resurrection of Christ and a reminder of his stay on earth, but antidor is the eternal memory of his suffering for human sins.

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The connection between prosphora and prayer

Saint John of Kronstadt said that the most important commemoration for the deceased is proskomedia.

Elder Paisius the Svyatogorets gave the following instructions: “And you should submit for commemoration at the proskomedia not only the names of the sick, but also the names of the deceased, because the deceased have a great need for prayers.”

From the biography of St. Alexey Shepelev (Goloseevsky) we learn about the importance of commemorating the dead with the help of prosphora at the proskomedia. In 1896, the glorification of St. Theodosius of Chernigov took place; Father Alexy was tasked with redressing the relics of the saint. After completing the assignment, Father Alexy prayed. And he saw a vision where Saint Theodosius asked that his deceased parents, priest Nikita and Mary, be remembered at the proskomedia. Father Alexy considered his prayers weak in comparison with the prayers of the holy saint Theodosius. But the saint said that prayers performed with the removal of particles from the prosphora are higher than his prayers.

From the life of St. Gregory Dvoeslov we know about the rescued captive. When a prayer was made for his health and particles were taken out of the prosphora, at the same time the chains fell from the prisoner and he became free.

The use of prosphora in the service

Photo: Foma.ru
Pieces of prosphora are placed on paten - this is the name of a dish specially designed for this. The Lamb is placed in the very center, on the sides there is a particle dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the saints. Directly along the edges are the remaining particles.

All parishioners receive small prosphoras after the completion of the service. At this moment, the priest prays for the health and peace of those whose names are listed on the notes given to him. Pronouncing each name, the priest takes a piece of prosphora, symbolizing a specific person, and then places it on the paten.

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Traditions of using prosphora outside of worship

After the service, parishioners are given pieces of church prosphora so that everyone who attended the Liturgy can partake of the “heavenly bread.” Prosphora can be purchased at a candle shop and taken home to partake of the shrine every day.

In some churches, after the Liturgy, an antidoron is distributed. Antidor is particles of Lamb prosphora from which the Lamb was removed at the proskomedia. Translated from Greek, this word means “in place of a gift” for those who did not receive communion. It is eaten with special reverence instead of the Body and Blood of Christ by those who did not participate in the Sacrament of Communion.

“Antidor is sacred bread, which was brought in offering and the middle of which was taken out and used for sacred rites; this bread, as sealed with a copy and having received divine words, is taught instead of terrible Gifts, that is, the Mysteries, to those who have not partaken of them” (St. Simeon of Thessaloniki).

Antidor is not the Body and Blood of Christ. However, it should also be taken on an empty stomach with awe and reverence. After all, this is consecrated bread from God’s altar, which received heavenly consecration, a blessing from God.

The meaning of bread in church rituals

In his message, John (John 6:18) conveys the words of the Savior that He is the Bread of Life. It was not for nothing that the Lord compared himself to bread. This word has a deep meaning.

• The grain dies and is reborn in the ear. So Jesus died to return to earth in the hearts of His children, Orthodox Christians.
• Flour is a symbol of purification and processing, in order to become a prototype of the Savior, believers must pass tests and unite into one whole, one Church, the bride of Christ.
• Baking is purification by fire.
• A bread product contains many pieces, just as Jesus united his followers.

Orthodox sacred bread

Just as bread is a staple food for people, remaining the main dish on the table, so Jesus Christ is the basis and center of the Church. True believing Orthodox people begin their day with prayer and eating holy water and a piece of church bread on an empty stomach:

• prosphora;
• arthos.

Important!
Daily consumption of the Bread of Heaven opens the way to Eternal Life. More about the shrines of Orthodoxy:

• Miraculous icons of Athos
• Relics of Saint John the Baptist
• Relics of Saint Ambrose of Optina

Prosphora - recipe

Sacred bread can be prepared at home using an old recipe. It is important to know how prosphora is baked, as there are several features that should be taken into account.

Ingredients:

• finely ground premium flour – 1.2 kg;
• Holy water;
• yeast – 25 g.

Preparation:

1. Pour some holy water into the container, and then pour in about 400 g of flour. Add boiling water and stir until you get a mass like semolina porridge.
2. When everything has cooled down, add a little salt and yeast. Stir and leave to rise. Then add the remaining flour and mix well.
3. Leave for another 30 minutes, and then transfer the dough to the table and roll out the layer. The bottom layer needs a thickness of 18-20 mm, and the top 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 upper. Cover the lower halves with a towel and oilcloth and leave for half an hour. It is important not to let the dough dry out.
5. If you are interested in how to bake prosphora at home, then it is important to know that the baking sheet must be greased with a thin layer of natural wax, which is a component of solar energy. Place a stamp of the appropriate size on the top.
6. Lubricate the bottom and connect it to the top. Prick both halves with a needle to remove excess air, which will prevent voids from forming.
7. The oven should be heated to 200-250 degrees. Bake until done, which is 15-20 minutes.
8. The finished bread should be covered with several layers: a dry cloth, a wet one, then a dry one again and a blanket. Leave the prosphora in this state for an hour.