Happy Easter!
Holy Communion Bread
PROSPHORA
(Prepared for Holy Communion)
- 6 cups plain white flour or wheat flour
- 1½ cups clear warm water
- 1 package dry yeast or 1 cake
- 1 tsp. salt
- prosphoron seal
Dissolve the yeast in warm water.
Add to sifted flour and salt and knead until smooth, adding as much flour or water as needed to make the dough manageable.
Put in a bowl, cover with a clean cloth and allow to rise until double in size (about 1 hour).
When double in size, knead again and divide the dough in half.
Then take each half and divide each one into two portions; one approximately three-quarters of the half, and one approximately one fourth of the half, in this matter: ¾ + ¼ and ¾ + ¼.
Now directions follow for one of these two double loaves, but it is understood that they apply to both.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Take the larger portion, shape it into a round, flat loaf and place it into a pan that has been well floured, NOT GREASED.
The smaller portion is also shaped into a round flat loaf, floured on the bottom to keep it from sticking on the work surface, and lightly floured on top to prevent the seal from sticking to it.
While it is still on the work surface, take the dry, unfloured prosphoron seal and press it very hard on the layer to make a sharp impression.
The seal is then removed, and this smaller layer is placed on the larger one, whose top has been moistened to make the two layers adhere to each other.
Now the two-layered loaves are covered and placed in a warm place to rise for one-half hour.
They are then baked in the preheated oven for approximately one hour.
When they have cooled, they are removed from the pans very gently, and the excess flour is tapped off the bottom.
Then cover with a clean cloth.
If the prophoron seal sticks, cover the loaf while it is still warm and allow it to sweat, and then it can easily be removed.
NOTE:
Whoever makes prosphora would do well to remember that one is not making just another loaf of bread, but an offering to the Church, part of which will become the Precious Body of our Lord. While working to make it, it is best to keep one's mind clear and pure of distracting and evil thoughts with appropriate prayers, such as the repetition of the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." It is also proper to make the Sign of the Cross on oneself and on the flour and pan used for baking.
(Recipe Courtesy of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery)
Editor
