Koliva in cups for distribution to the faithful
at the Saturday service.
On the Saturday of the first week of Great Lent, we
commemorate an event which occurred in the year
356—a miracle of Great Martyr Theodore the Tyro
("the Recruit"), which continues to have great
significance for Orthodox Christians even today, perhaps
especially today.
* * *
Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (“the Recruit”)
Fifty years after the death of St Theodore, the emperor
Julian the Apostate (361-363), wanting to commit an
outrage upon the Christians, commanded the city-commander
of Constantinople during the first week of Great Lent to
sprinkle all the food provisions in the marketplaces with
the blood offered to idols. St Theodore appeared in a
dream to Archbishop Eudoxius, ordering him to inform all
the Christians that no one should buy anything at the
marketplaces, but rather to eat cooked wheat with honey
(koliva).
In memory of this occurrence, the Orthodox Church annually
celebrates the holy Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit on
the first Saturday of Great Lent. On Friday evening, at
the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts following
the prayer at the ambo, the Canon to the holy Great Martyr
Theodore, composed by St John of Damascus, is sung. After
this, kolyva is blessed and distributed to the faithful.
The celebration of the Great Martyr Theodore on the first
Saturday of Great Lent was set by the Patriarch Nectarius
of Constantinople (381-397).
Opening Prayer
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Give
rest, O God, to Thy departed servants and place them in
Paradise, where the choirs of the saints and the just, O
Lord, shine like stars. Give rest to Thy servants who have
fallen asleep, overlooking all of their
transgressions.
Christ said, "Unless a wheat grain
falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if
it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)
When planted, the wheat is buried in the soil, but when
the season is right, a new plant will grow. So we believe
that the Christian will be raised in a new body in the
resurrection. Wheat symbolizes the eternal cycle. People
like wheat, must be buried to grow and have new life.
Q. What is in Koliva?
A. It is boiled kernels of wheat mixed with dried fruit
and nuts. It also can be sweetened with sugar and spices,
and covered with powdered sugar to resemble a tomb or
grave.
Q. When is it prepared?
A. Preparation begins one day before the scheduled
memorial service. Most services are at the end of the
Sunday liturgy. Therefore, the wheat needs to be boiled
and set to dry on Saturday evening. Invite your family and
friends to gather and assemble the other ingredients;
share stories and complete the preparation of the Koliva.
Q. Why is it important that we remember those who have
fallen asleep?
A. It is important to remember and pray for those who have
passed on, to keep their memory alive and to help us heal.
As Orthodox Christians, we believe that intercessions on
behalf of the dead are possible through the fervent
prayers of those remaining on earth (see Matthew 25). We
are a church made up of both the living and the dead.
Q. When are memorial services usually observed?
A. The fortieth day after the death of a loved one and the
first anniversary of the death are the most commonly
observed memorials. Memorials may also be observed on the
third, sixth, and ninth months as well as the yearly
anniversary. The departed may also be remembered during
the scheduled Soul Saturdays throughout the church
calendar.
Bible Reading
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow
as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those
who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the work of
the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the
coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are
asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore
comfort one another with these words (1
Thessalonians 4:13-17).
KOLIVA RECIPE
Ingredients:
1lb. Whole Wheat Berries (hulled/shelled is preferred but
not a necessity) [In the Russian Church, boiled rice is
also used.]
1 package or 1 cup crushed Arrowroot Biscuits or Graham
Crackers
1 cup chopped Walnuts
2 cups confectionery sugar
Ground Cinnamon (to taste)
Powder Vanilla (to taste)
Jordan Almonds (assorted colors) for decoration
Optional ingredients (These should reflect your
family’s preferences and heritage and you may use
any or all of the ingredients):
1/3 cup Sesame seeds
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp cumin
1/2 cup Pine nuts
1/2 cup Apricot (dried and chopped)
1/2 cup Golden Raisins
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1/4 cup chopped mint or parsley
Pomegranate seeds
Preparation of the wheat (The night before or at least
6 hours before memorial) [The Greek tradition makes a
slightly more ornate koliva than the Russian]:
Rinse
wheat well in colander with cold running water. Place
in large stainless steel pot. Fill with water within
3 inches from the top and bring to a gentle boil Stir
frequently for 45 minutes to 1 hour (the wheat
berries should be "al dente" or chewy but
not too soft). Drain-off water and rinse boiled wheat
in the colander. Allow to drain in colander for about
1 1/2 hours Toss gently the boiled wheat with rubber
spatula to loosen. Prepare a 12 X 17 inch pan lined
with clean cotton pillow-case or dish towel. Pour the
wheat into pan. Spread the boiled wheat to cover pan
and allow drying out 6 to 8 hours or overnight
To assemble for church:
Place the following in a large bowl for gentle mixing:
Cooked wheat, walnuts, or your choice of optional add-ins.
Gently combine. Line display platter or bowl with paper
doily and top with plastic food wrap. Pour koliva mixture
onto the platter or bowl and pack down to make firm mound.
Sprinkle lightly the cinnamon and powder vanilla on the
koliva mound. Sprinkle ground crackers on top of the
cinnamon and continue packing. Top with sifted
confectionery sugar. Place plastic wrap over mound and pat
gently since (this makes packing rather uniform). Repeat
and add another layer of sifted confectionery sugar.
Decorate with Jordan almonds on the top in the sign of the
Cross. On the top right quadrant, place the Greek letter
"A" (Alpha means: Christ is the beginning). On
the top left quadrant, place the Greek letter
"W" (Omega means: Christ the end). On the bottom
right quadrant, place the deceased first initial. On the
bottom left quadrant, place the deceased last initial.
Finally, a candle should be placed in the center of the
mound and then presented to the memorial table at church.
Closing Prayer
For Thou, O Christ our God, art the resurrection, the
life and the repose of your departed servants, who have
fallen asleep and Thee do we glorify together with Thy
eternal Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
From:
Holy Trinity Marine.org
08 / 03 / 2014
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