Saturday of Souls

Join us from 10:30am – 11:45am this Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2022 for our Memorial Liturgy.

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. 

Koliva is prepared in the Orthodox Church for services to commemorate the dead, especially in the Greek tradition. It carries an important symbolism of the resurrection of the dead, and a foretaste of Pascha.

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 because 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.

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.

information excerpts from pravoslavie.ru. Photo from catalogueofstelisabethconvent.blogspot.com