Holy Bread Making
Recipe
Baking Prosphora (Holy Bread) should be done in an atmosphere of quiet and peace. Be sure to compile a list of the names of your loved ones (given to the priest in two columns: living and departed) for whom these loaves will be offered in prayer to God.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Dear Lord, this bread that we are baking represents each one of us. We are offering ourselves to you, our very life, in humble obedience and total commitment to You. We place ourselves on Your holy altar through this bread to be used by You in any way that You feel will help enlarge Your Kingdom. Accept our gift and make us worthy to receive the greater gift that You will give us when You consecrate this bread and give it back to us as Your Precious Body. Amen.
Trisagion prayer:
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ingredients:
- 40 cups Flour
- 20 tsp. Yeast
- 14 cups Water
- 5 tsp. Salt
What you’ll need:
- Prosphora seal
- Round cake pans (optional)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rolling Pin(s)
- Kitchen work gloves (plastic)
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
Directions:
For 1st Period
Activate yeast (4 oz. which is 1/8 of a large block of yeast). This is done by mixing the yeast with 2 cups of hot water (not too hot!) and one packet or teaspoonful of sugar. After mixing together, the mixture will begin to ‘bubble’ at the top which signifies the activation of the yeast. Pour into flour mixture, along with the remaining 12 cups of water (use hot water as well).
- Mix all ingredients until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, or if hand mixed, until dough doesn’t stick to hands.
- Knead well (use fists) for about 15-20 minutes. Press all air out of dough, by hand or with roller.
- Form dough into a ball and place in the bottom of the bowl (be sure to lightly flour the bowl so the dough won’t stick as it rises).
- Cover the dough with towels and place in a warm location to rise.
- Let rise for about 1hour (until about doubled in size).
For 2nd Period
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Divide risen dough ball into 4 equal parts.
Use two of the four parts to make two double-layered loaf as follows: divide each part into 2 portions, one of the portions being approximately twice the size of the other. The larger portion will be the first layer, and the smaller portion will be the top layer upon which the seal will be pressed.
Delicately shape each piece into a dough ball by lightly pulling from the edge and tucking under. Be careful not to work the doughball too much at this point as it may begin to tear or separate. Once the ball is formed, press down and roll until its thickness is about ¾ inch round.
Lightly flour the wood or plastic seal only once, shaking out any remaining clumps of flour from the seal (do not repeat for each loaf unless seal will not come cleanly out of loaf). Press the seal on the top layer, holding the seal down for the duration of the Lord’s Prayer. For the bottom layer, lightly wet a circular area upon which the top layer will be placed.
Remember to use a toothpick or something similar to poke holes around the border of the seal in order to prevent the seal from rising while baking.
The other 2 parts of the original doughball may each be divided in half, and 4 single-layered loaves can be made from each portion, using the seal as described above.
Place loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in oven for 30 + minutes or until golden
Closing Prayer
O God, our God, You sent the heavenly Bread, the food for the whole world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ, as Savior, Redeemer, and Benefactor, to bless us and sanctify us. Do bless this offering and accept it upon your altar. As a good and loving God remember those who brought it and those for whom it was brought. Keep us blameless in the celebration of Your divine Mysteries. For sanctified and glorified is Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.