Prosphora is holy bread used for special church rituals. It consists of two parts, which are made separately from each other from yeast dough and later joined together.
Instruction manual
1
The prosphora symbolizes human nature, consisting of a million natural elements, and many people in the world as a whole. The lower part of the prosphora denotes the carnal (earthly) part of man, and the upper part (with the seal of the cross and the word "victory" in Greek) is his spiritual beginning.
2
In the manufacture of prosphora, the yeast is kneaded in holy water. Holy water means God's grace, and yeast - the great power of the holy spirit, which gives life to everything that exists on earth.
3
For church services, only fresh prosphora are used, since prayer over stale bread is equated with sin. The round shape of the prosphora speaks of the eternity of the savior of all people of Jesus Christ and reminds one of his eternal life. Traditionally, prosphora should be baked by those who have not married or entered into it only once.
4
In the temple, prosphora can be obtained behind a candlebox at the end of the liturgy, after submitting a note "On health" or "On repose." The names mentioned in the notes will be read and a particle will be taken out for each of the prosphora.
5
At the very end of the liturgy, all worshipers will be given small parts of the prosphora - antidores, which must be accepted with reverence, folding their palms with a cross and putting their right hand on their left. In this case, you need to kiss the hand of the priest who brought this gift. Eat an antidor on an empty stomach, in the same place in the church and with special reverence.
6
Having brought the prosphora home, prepare a clean tablecloth, place the prosphora itself and holy water on it. Before the meal, read a prayer with words of gratitude to God for his mercy. Eat the prosphora above a plate or a blank sheet of white paper so that not a single holy crumb falls on the table or even on the floor. Prosphora is holy heavenly bread, which must be taken with fear and humility. It is forbidden to cut prosphora with an ordinary kitchen knife. For these purposes, it is advisable to have a special knife that you keep clean, separate from other dishes.
7
Artos - the Easter prosphora - needs to be stored as a shrine in the red corner next to the icons and consumed in difficult moments or in illness by a tiny bit so that this holy leavened bread lasts until the next holiday of Easter.
note
For storage of prosphora use special fabric bags. Store it carefully, avoiding mold. Spoiled bread must be burned. It is not recommended to crush prosphora in the cemetery, above the grave, as many believers do.
Useful advice
It is not recommended to offer antidor and arthos to unbaptized people. It is advisable to burn the paper in which you brought the prosphora home so that the crumbs do not get into the bucket or on the floor.
