The following directions are for use with a Kitchen Aid mixer. If you are not using a mixer, kneed for 20 minutes instead.
Ingredients
· 4 C all-purpose flour
· 1 tsp. salt
· 1 package dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp.)
· 1 ½ C very warm water (more or less, as needed)
Begin with the Trisagion Prayer:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, 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.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
-or- you can begin with this prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the Eternal Father, who has said, “Without me you can do nothing”, O Lord, My God, with faith I accept your words. Help me, a sinner, to prepare the bread of offering, that the works of my hands may be acceptable at the Holy Table and may become through the working of the Holy Spirit, the communion of “Thy Most Pure Body” for me and all Thy people. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Combine yeast and water into bowl first, mix, and allow it to sit for 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining dry ingredients (salt and flour) together, and then add water. Using your dough hook, and the mixer set on #2 speed, mix for about 8 minutes. Add flour or water as needed to form a soft dough. The consistency should be such that the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Place the dough onto a floured surface, knead and form into a ball. Place in a bowl, cover with a clean cloth and let it rise until double in size ~ 30 minutes.
Then Say the Trisagion Prayer (above)
Once the dough has risen, punch down and let it rest for a few minutes. Roll the dough into an oblong and at 1/3 of the way down, twist the dough around so that the top third is separated but not disconnected. This represents the separation of heaven and earth which can only be bridged through Christ. Then flatten the entire piece (1/3 twist on top) and form into two stacking rounds and place in a floured pan (larger round on the bottom, smaller one on top). Take the Prosphoro seal and press the seal hard into the center of the top round, and hold (if you say the Lord’s Prayer during this process that will ensure the depth of the seal), then remove.
Take a toothpick and poke holes around the center Lamb, then bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for approximately one hour. When done, immediately remove the bread from the pan to fully cool. Take a damp cloth/towel and wipe it across the top of the bread to keep that area soft for cutting later.
Close with the Trisagion Prayer (above) and/or the Prosphoro Prayer (below):
This bread that we have baked represents each one of us in this family and in our congregation. 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 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.