Church bells as a symbol of Christ. Cooking recipe and rules of use

There is hardly any person today who does not know such words: "our daily bread". But unfortunately, not everyone knows that they are from the prayer "Our Father", which emphasizes a special respect for bread, which is not presented as a trivial food product, but as a symbol that means everything necessary to maintain the soul and body of man. One of his incarnations is a church porch.

History of occurrence

Church bells, or, as it is also called - prosphora, is a small round loaf, which is used in church ordinances and when remembered in the Proskomedia. Its name translates as "offering." In the first centuries of Christianity, believers brought bread and everything necessary for the celebration of worship with them. The minister accepting all this included their names in a special list, which was announced after prayers at the consecration of the gifts.

Part of the offerings, namely bread and wine, was used for the Sacrament, the rest was eaten by the brethren at the evening or distributed to the believers. In some ways, this tradition has survived to this day. After the service at the exit from the church, ministers distribute bits of prosphora to the parishioners.

Later, the word "prosphora" was used only as the name of bread, which is used to perform the liturgy. It was baked specially for this purpose.

Symbolism of prosphora

It is a bread that changes its essence by the power of God or, as Christians say, it is transubstantiated into the Body of Christ. This happens during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, at a time when the priest is plunged into the Chalice in which the Body and Blood of Christ utters a special prayer.

The round shape of the prosphora is not accidental, it becomes such, acting as a symbolic expression of the eternity of Christ. In addition, there are other similar interpretations. Many believe that this is a sign of eternal life as an individual, and the whole of humanity in Christ.

Prosvirka church consists of two parts: the upper and lower. It also has its meaning. Collected together, the two parts symbolize the special nature of man, which appears in the unity of the two foundations: the Divine and the human.

The upper part is the spiritual beginning of man. His carnal, earthly state is symbolized by the lower state, which the church piercer has.

Photo allows you to see on the top of it a seal consisting of a cross and an inscription. The latter, translated from Greek, marks the victory of Jesus Christ.

The recipe for the parish priests

For preparation of prosphora take the best wheat flour 1,2 kg. To mix the dough, one-third of it should be poured into a deep bowl and add holy water. After stirring a little, the batter is heated with boiling water. Do this for the strength and sweetness of prosphora.

A little later in the cooled mixture add a little salt, diluted with holy water, and 25 grams of yeast. All this is mixed and aged for about half an hour. In the risen dough, the remaining two thirds of the flour is poured out and mixed well. Then again leave for half an hour, giving the opportunity to go.

Ready-made dough is rolled, carefully rubbing with flour. With the help of a mold, make circles: the upper parts are smaller, the lower - larger. After that, the prepared parts are covered with a damp cloth, on which they put a dry one, and so leave for half an hour.

Further on, the upper part is stamped, it is connected to the lower one, wetting the contacting surfaces with warm water. Formed prospora pierce with a needle in several places, put on a baking sheet, then into the oven, where they bake for 15-20 minutes.

Finished porvirki spread on the table and wrapped, covering first dry, then damp and again with a dry cloth, and give them an hour to rest. Then stack in special baskets.

The recipe itself also has a special meaning. Flour and water symbolize the flesh of man, and yeast and holy water are his soul. All this is inextricably linked, and at the same time, each component has its significance. Holy water is God's grace given to man. Yeasts are a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives life by its life-giving force.

How and when can you use a prosphore

Anyone who visits the church knows when they eat church clerks. This happens after the first Liturgy, if on that day the believer takes communion, then a little earlier - after the Eucharist. Taste this sacred bread with a special feeling - humbly and reverently. This should be done before eating.

It is useful for any believer to start his day with drinking holy water and eating prosphora. To do this, you need to spread a clean tablecloth or napkin. On it, prepare a consecrated meal of God, consisting of prosphora and holy water. Before you use them, you must certainly create a prayer that is pronounced specifically for this occasion. The church bibs are tasted over a plate or a piece of paper. This is done so that its crumbs do not fall to the floor and were not trampled.