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Take one round portion and flatten it into a round puck-like shape. Place it into one of the pans (or onto a baking sheet if that’s what you’re using). Take second round portion, flatten it, and place it on top of the first portion. (Some recipes suggest sprinkling a couple drops water on top of bottom portion so the second portion will adhere.) Smooth a little melted beeswax on top of the second portion and flour the stamp/seal a bit, tapping it for excess flour to come off. Place stamp in the center of the top portion, pressing very firmly while saying a brief prayer. Remove the stamp with a slight twist. Prick the four corners of the Lamb which is the very center square of the seal that contains the letters: Make 33 pricks along the edge of the stamp/seal. Repeat procedurewith second two portions. Cover both in a draft free place and let rise a second time for another 20 minutes. Bake at approx. 350 0 for 35-45’, depending on oven and size of Prosfora. Remove from oven when golden in color. Wrap immediately after taking out of oven in a thin – not terry cloth – towel; then wrap with terry cloth towels several hours or overnight before taking to church. For small Russian style double loaves, the dough will be shaped into smaller portions. The double “layers” represent the two natures of Christ. (This recipe follows the Greek version in size and makes two Prosfora.) Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. And the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51) Section 9 Recipe for Prosfora - I’ll try to make what I write here clear! But, “Prosfora” is a fine spelling for this word, but I’d just make sure that it stays either always capitalized or always lowercase. (I’ve seen both used, so this is more about consistency is all!) In the ingredients section, I’d specify the stamp as a Prosfora stamp/seal. In the directions where she talks about the beeswax, there is an asterisk that isn’t needed. Finally, when she talks about wrapping the Prosfora near the end of the recipe, “Church” doesn’t need to be capitalized here. IC XC NI KA (Greek letters represent “JESUS CHRIST CONQUERS.”)

Virginia Chryssikos

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