July's Recipe: Arnáki Me Rίzi
(ragout of lamb with rice)

• 2 lbs of shoulder of lamb, coarsely diced
• 5 onions, coarsely chopped
• 3 zucchini, coarsely chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 celeriac, very finely chopped
• 1 bunch flat-leaved parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cups rice
• salt
  
  For the egg and lemon sauce:
• 2 eggs, separated
• juice of 2 lemons

Preparation:

Put the diced meat in a large pan, add sufficient water to cover, then slowly bring to a boil and lower the heat. Cook for 15 minutes, then add the onion, zucchini, carrots, celeriac and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the ingredients are soft and the juices have reduced slightly. Meanwhile, bring some salted water to a boil in a pan, add the rice and cook. For the egg and lemon sauce, beat the egg whites into stiff peaks. Then fold in the egg yolks, followed by the lemon juice, and combine this mixture with a little of the meat juices. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the ragout to a bowl and serve with rice, freshly baked white bread, and the egg and lemon sauce.

Excerpts and Photography from: Culinaria Greece
by Milona, Marianthi

d. The imposing icon screen spanning the nave of the church is the Iconostasis, literally “Icon Stand.” Its purpose, traced to the Old Testament, sets apart the Holy Sanctuary and the Holy Altar from the nave of the Church. Elaborate decoration of the marble, wood, or metal structure may use vineswith grapes to illustrate, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” The Royal Doors in the center are for ordained Clergy to enter and exit during Divine Services. The Deacon Door to the left is for processions. Both Deacon Doors are used by the altar boys and clergy as necessary.

At least six icons are part of the main tier of the Iconostasis. To the right of the Royal Doors are icons of Christ the Teacher in the first panel and St. John the Baptist in the second panel. To the left of the Royal Doors are Theotokos as Hodogetria in the first panel and the icon of name of the Parish in the second. Positioned to guard the entrance of the Holy Sanctuary, Archangel Michael is shown on the left Deacon Door and Archangel Gabriel is on the right. Other saints may be included on the bottom tier as space allows. The twelve Great Feasts may be shown in chronological order in smaller icons on a tier above the main icons.

b. The Icon of the Last Supper is seen above the Royal Doors or above the exit at the rear of the church. Jesus is seated at the table set with loaves of bread, wine, and a cup. Some icons have other items on the table. He is in the center position with six disciples on either side. John is on his left with his head on Jesus’ chest. Judas is shown reaching into a bowl. As Jesus told his disciples his betrayer would do. (pictured right)

c. The Royal Doors are two full or half length doors or one sliding door. A red or purple curtain may also be present. During Services they remain open except for certain prayers. The Icon of the Annunciation may be used with the Theotokos and Archangel Gabriel each on one door. The Four Evangelists or full figures of St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom may also be placed on the Royal Doors.
(pictured left)


h. The Icon of Christ the Teacher to the right of the Royal Doors is a full figure frontal image of Christ blessing with his right hand and holding the Gospel with his left. The finger positions of the blessing hand form IC XC, the first and last letters of Jesus Christ in Greek spelling. His tunic is red indicating His Divinity while the blue mantle indicates He took on human nature. (pictured right)

i. The Icon of St. John the Forerunner, shown as a man of the desert with windblown hair and clothing of animal skins and carrying a cross-shaped star as the sign of being God's messenger, is placed to the right of Christ. Called The Forerunner because he preceded and revealed the presence when the Resurrected Lord descended into Hades to bring life to those in the tombs. (pictured left)

j. In the Icon of Archangel Gabriel, he is portrayed as winged and holding a staff in his right hand. He often is holding a royal orb marked with an X, the insignia of God, in his left. Only the Archangels hold this orb. These features all depict his role as a messenger of God. He may be shown wearing flowing robes or royal garb. As the ever viligant guard of the Holy Sanctuary, he faces front. (pictured right)

e. The Icon of Archangel Michael, like Archangel Gabriel, is portrayed facing facing front as the winged guardian of the Holy Sanctuary. He more often is shown wearing military dress, holding a drawn sword in his right hand. His left may hold a shield or royal orb. He may also be dressed in flowing robes or royal garb. Facial features may be stern or compassionate. (pictured left)

f. In the Byzantine tradition the position to the left of the Icon of Theotokos is reserved for the Icon of the Church's Name. Pictured here is the icon of St. George, a soldier, depicted slaying evil in the form of a dragon. (pictured right)

g. The Icon of Theotokos as Hodogetria or "She who points the Way," is to the left of the Royal Doors. The Theotokos is portrayed holding the infant or youthful Jesus. She gracefully gestures toward Christ with her right hand, telling us that Jesus is the way to salvation. Jesus blesses with His right hand and holds a scroll in left, signifying His mission is yet to come. (pictured left)

(Written by Faye Peponis, who has served the Greek Orthodox Church for over 35 years in various administrative and teaching capacities. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from DePaul University and a Master's in Education from Purdue University.)

  Featured Destination: Crete (part 3 of 5)

GEOGRAPHY: Rethymnon has its own particular scenic, beauty, especially its south coast beside the Libyan sea. Its important antiquities and places of interest, in conjunction with the good network of roads, attract an appreciable number of visitors, most of whom prefer quiet holidays. There is a car and passenger ferry from Piraeus via Herakleion and it is also linked to Athens by air, via Chania or Herakleion.

HISTORY: Rethymnon has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its fate has been more or less the same as that of the other cities of Crete. The modern town is built adjacent to the site of the ancient city of Rithymne. It was at its zenith in Venetian times when the ramparts were erected around the city and the small fortress of Fortetsa, which stands to this day, built at the tip of the peninsula. In 1645 the town was captured by the Turks. It suffered extensive damage during World War II.

SIGHTS and MONUMENTS: Nowadays one may visit the new town of Rethymnon with its modern buildings, as well as the old town with its quaint alleyways and, even today, distinctly Venetian atmosphere. Indeed, some Venetian edifices, gated, the wails, castle and Venetian loggia where the merchants met and which nowadays houses the Archaeological Museum, are preserved. The Lyceum of Greek Women in Rethymnon has a significant folk art collection and there is a Historical and Folklore Museum too. The cave at Gerani 6 km. west of Rethymnon, with its rich stalagmite formations, has also yielded important archaeological and palaeontological material. 15 km. south of Rethymnon is the village of Armenoi and further south is the ruggedly beautiful Kourakliotiko gorge in which there is a church of St. Nicholas. Near the gorge entrance is the church of St. George with its rare wall-painting of the Holy Trinity. In a beautiful landscape beside the Libyan sea, 40 km. south of Rethymnon, stands the Moni Preveli a monastery dedicated to St. John the Theologian. The historic monastery of Arkadi is located 24 km. south- east of Rethymnon on the road to Herakleion.

The monastery, which owes its present appearance to the 18th century, was one of the most important centres of resistance against the Turks and in 1866 its defenders, headed by the Abbot Gabriel chose a horrendous death when its powder-store exploded, rather than surrender to their attackers. Of the buildings within its confines the most important are the katholikon (1587) and its wonderful renaissance style gateway. There is also a small museum and charnel house. 24 km. east of Rethymnon are the ruins of ancient Eleftherna, a Classical and Roman city. The cave at Melidoni (28 km. east of Rethymnon) is one of the most famous in Crete, a place of cult in ancient times. In 1823 some 370 women and children who sought refuge from the Turks here, perished horribly from suffocation.

Southeast of Rethymnon is another important cave, that of Zoniana (43 km.), its extensive interior richly decorated. In the cult cave on the Nida plateau, known as the ldaion Andron (reached from Anogeia), Zeus was said to have been born and reared. One of the loveliest region in the Prefecture is Aghia Galini (61 km. from Rethymnon) with its gorgeous sands and interesting grottoes which can be reached by boat. The sea is warm throughout the year and the area has developed into a popular tourist centre. Other thriving restorts include Adele (8 km. east of Rethymnon) and Bali (31 km. east of Rethymnon). Panormos (19 km. east of Rethymnon) and Plakias (39 km. southwest of Rethymnon) are particularly picturesque villages. Even though Rethymnon is one of the less developed parts of Crete, all facilities are available for an enjoyable stay. There is accommodation in hotels, pensions, rented rooms and both in town and apartments throughout the Prefecture, especially on the coast. Its sandy beaches are suitable for swimming and water-sports, as well as fishing. Swimming is very good at Bali, Panormos, Aghia Galini, Moni Preveli, Plakias and Ammoudi. All the beaches can be reached by bus or car and there are small caiques plying the sea between Aghia Galini and Matala and Aghios Pavlos and Plakias.

Next month: Crete, Part Four - West Crete (Chania)

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 July 2009 Greek Orthodox Calendar

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