A prosphoron (Greek: πρόσφορον, tr: offering) is a small loaf of bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. The plural form is prosphora (πρόσφορα). The term originally meant any offering made to a temple, but in Orthodox Christianity has come to mean specifically the bread offered at the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy.
A prosphoron is made up of two separate round pieces of dough which are placed one on top of another and baked together to form a single loaf. This double-loaf represents the two natures of Christ: human and divine. Before baking, each prosphoron is stamped with a seal usually bearing the image of a cross with the Greek letters IC XC NIKA (“Jesus Christ Conquers”) around the arms of the cross. This impression is baked into the bread and serves as a guide for the priest who will be cutting it.
Please be reminded to sign up on the parish bullitin board if you wish to offer prosphora in the memory of a loved one, on the occasion of an anniversary, or a birthday, or in general thankfulness. Prosphora should be delivered to the Church by Great Vespers on Saturday evening , and if freshly baked, wrapped in a cloth accompanied with with a list of the living and departed to be commemorated during the Liturgy.
The following is an exerpt from Fr. George Aquaro’s website dedicated to the ministry of Prosphora Baking in the Orthodox Church and should be used a a guide for preparing Holy Bread at St. Ephraim.
Prosphora Recipe
CLICK HERE
