Prosphora

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A Russian-style commemoration prosphoron after particles have been removed at the Liturgy of Preparation.

A prosphoron (Greek: πρόσφορον, offering) is a small loaf of bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. The plural form is prosphora (πρόσφορα). The term origianlly meant any offering made to a temple, but in Orthodox Christianity has come to mean specifically the bread offered at the Divine Liturgy.

A prosphoron is made up of two separate round pieces of dough which are placed one on top of another and baked together to form a single loaf. This double-loaf represents the two natures of Christ: human and divine. Before baking, each prosphoron is stamped with a seal usually bearing the image of a cross with the Greek letters IC XC NIKA ("Jesus Christ conquers") around the arms of the cross. This impression is baked into the bread and serves as a guide for the priest who will be cutting it.

1 Divine liturgy
2 Panagia
3 Artoklasia
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Divine liturgy

Mount Nebo (Jordan) fifth century monastery Prosphora inscription: "Offering of Caesar at the time of Alexios and Theophilos priests"

The Lamb and particles placed on the diskos during the Divine Liturgy.

Greek-style prosphora seal, for one large loaf: in the center is the Lamb, to the viewer's right is the Panagia, to the left are the Nine Ranks, and on the top and bottom are extra Lambs for Presanctified.

Russian-style prosphora seal, for five small identical loaves.

In the part of the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) known as the Liturgy of Preparation (Proskomedia) a cube is cut from the center of the prosphoron, and is referred to as the Lamb (Greek: Amnon). It is this Lamb which is consecrated to become the Body of Christ and from it both the clergy and the faithful will receive Holy Communion, while the remainder of the prosphora is cut up for the antidoron, the blessed bread which is distributed at the end of the Liturgy.

Prosphora can vary in size and stamp in different liturgical traditions. Generally, the Slavic traditions use five small prosphora with a simpler stamp, while the Greek tradition uses one large prosphoron with a more complex stamp, indicating the place from which the Lamb is to be taken and the places from which particles are removed for each of the remaining commemorations.

In addition to the Lamb, particles are removed from the prosphoron to commemorate the following:

The Theotokos (Panagia)
The Nine Ranks of saints (the particular saints commemorated will vary depending on jurisdiction)
The living (including the local authorities and the ruling bishop)
The departed

The Slavic tradition uses a separate prosphoron for each of these, sometimes with a different seal for each prosphoron—or at least a distinctive one for the Panagia. The laity may also present smaller prosphora together with a list of the faithful living and departed whom they wish to have commemorated during the Liturgy. From each of these smaller prosphora the priest will remove a triangular piece as well as several smaller particles while he prays of each of the persons listed.

[edit] Panagia

Main article: Panagia

The Prosphoron from which a particle is removed in honor of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) is called Panagia (ἄρτος τῆς Παναγίας) and is solemnly blessed in her honor during the Divine Liturgy. This prosphoron is often stamped with an icon of the Theotokos. Before cutting this prosphoron, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross over it three times with the litugical spear, saying:

In honour and commemoration of our most blessed Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary; through whose intercessions accept, O Lord, this sacrifice upon Thy most heavenly Altar.

He then removes a large, triangular particle and places it to the side of the Lamb, as he says: "At Thy right hand stood the queen, arrayed in vesture wrought of gold and diverse colours."

The remainder of the prosphoron is blessed over the holy table, before the blessing of the antidoron, with the phrase "Great is the name of the Holy Trinity." Today, this practice is usually performed only in some monasteries.

After the Liturgy, a triangular portion is cut from the prosphoron by the refectorian (monk in charge of the refectory). The Panagia is then cut in half and laid crust downwards on a dish in a small table in the refectory. After the meal, the refectorian takes off his epanokamelavkion and kamilavkion, saying, "Bless me, holy Fathers, and pardon me a sinner," to which the brotherhood replies, "May God pardon and have mercy on you." Then, taking the Panagia in his fingertips, he lifts it up while saying, "Great is the name," and then the community continues with "of the Holy Trinity." The rite then continues with "All-holy Mother of God, help us" with the reply "At her prayers, O God, have mercy and save us." Two hymns are then sung while the refectorian, accompanied by a cleric with a hand censer, offers the Panagia to those assembled. Each takes a piece between his finger and thumb, passes it through the incense, and then eats it.

[edit] Artoklasia

Main article: Artoklasia

There are also loaves which are baked for blessing and distribution to the faithful outside of the Divine Liturgy. These are generally called artos ("loaves") and are usually made from a single round of dough rather than two. They may be stamped with the same seal used at Liturgy, though usually they have only a simple cross or an icon such as the patron saint of the local church or monastery. There are usually five loaves made, and they are blessed at a service called the Artoklasia ("breaking of bread"). These loaves, together with wheat, wine and oil are blessed and distributed to the faithful during the All-Night Vigil.