In the Roman and Byzantine empires, bread and bread stamping had major commercial importance. Bakers had individual bread stamps, which promoted both pride in good loaves and accountability in bad ones. A bread stamp could be just about any design, and with so many people living throughout the empire, creativity and detail were appreciated. Eastern Orthodox churches became especially attached to the tradition, as it helped distinguish church loaves (made with specific religious practices) from regular daily bread, which at the time looked identical.
Although Byzantium (and its bread-making practices) collapsed in 1453, the Eastern Orthodox faith is still extremely important in Greece today. While a large portion of the country no longer practices Catholicism, an estimated 98% of the country identifies with the Greek Orthodox faith, and 71% reported that religion was important in their daily lives. Globally, approx. 4% of the world is Eastern Orthodox (making up approx. 12% of the global Christian population).
Here is a recipe for the most basic-ingredients bread, and an explanation of how the Greek Orthodox church makes prosphora.
How to Make Prosphora
While making Roman bread is actually very quick and easy, the preparation of prosphora is a specific and holy process. Prosphora recipes are straightforward and use the fewest ingredients necessary: flour, yeast, salt, and water. The bread is stamped once the dough is shaped into a loaf and is often poked with a skewer around the edge 33 times. Most prosphora stamps are circular or square, so this bread stamp’s oblong shape is unique. In parishes, the job of baking prosphora often rotates between parishioners. In monasteries and convents, the job is assigned to one or two monks and nuns.
Note: Baking real prosphora is a deeply religious process, requiring the baker to be in a state of grace, as well as a state of prayerfulness, throughout the preparation. However, the basic bread recipe is secular and is encouraged for students to try for themselves!
Architecture and Iconography of Greek Orthodox Churches
"10 Most Beautiful Orthodox Churches"
Eastern Orthodox churches place emphasis on the multi-sensory experience of the Mass- meaning that when someone attends an Orthodox church, there will be elements involving all five senses. One method of doing this is to build churches with elaborate interiors and exteriors. The first video provides an explanation of the structural layout of the church, and the religious significance behind it. The second video is a compilation of some of the best-known Orthodox churches from around the world. Both videos feature traditional music as well, for the auditory element. Although the videos can’t show it, Orthodox Masses use a variety of fragrant incenses to incorporate the sense of smell into the church as well.
Eastern Orthodox Churches: Grades 6-8- younger and older grade page options also available along middle right of page
This is a general overview of the Eastern Orthodox faith, available in “kid, student, and scholar” levels. It talks about some of the differences between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic practices, from structure to theological disputes, and to regions of influence and politics.
