September's Recipe: Bakaliáros Me Prása  (Stockfish with Leeks)

• 2 lbs or 1 kg stockfish
• 1 generous cup or 250ml Greek extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lbs or 1 kg leeks, thickly sliced
• 1 lb or 500g tomatoes, skinned, seeded and coarsely diced
• 2 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaved parsley
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Soak the stockfish for at least 12 hours, changing the water at regular intervals. Heat the olive oil in a pan and saute the leeks. Add 1 scant cup or 200 ml water, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 15 minutes, then add the tomatoes. Place the stockfish on top of the vegetables and sprinkle with parsley. Cover and simmer over a low heat for about 25 minutes, checking frequently with a fork to make sure nothing is sticking. Serve while still warm.

The Icon of the Theotokos as Platytera dominates the upper portion of the apse, the half dome at the front of the church housing the sanctuary. In basilica or barrel vaulted churches the icon will be on the ceiling above the sanctuary. Her imposing presence illustrates her role as the link between Heaven and Earth, between God and man just as the Icon of the Platytera creates a visual link between the great Icon of the Pantocrator in the dome and his creation as represented by the icons below. She may be shown seated on a decorative chair or throne, standing, or as a half figure filling the apse. The embodiment of virtue and preeminent role model for all, she calls the faithful to Christ and receives prayers of intercession on their behalf. Her face, reflecting serenity and love for God, subtly shows a shadow of the sorrow that she must bear.

The inscription “MHTHP ΘEOY” (Mother of God) or “Π ΛATYTEPA T ΩN OYPANΩN” (Platytera ton Ouranon) title the icon. The latter title means “Wider than the Heavens” and is taken from the Akathist Service, poetically describing her as she who “held the entire universe within her being. She holds holds arms out to embrace us all” In the orans design the Theotokos opens her arms, supplicating God on behalf of the faithful. She is not shown alone but with Jesus, always reminding the faithful that He is the path to salvation. Both are looking directly at the faithful. Her posture is stately but demure with her hair modestly cankered. On her mantle or cloak the stars at her head and shoulders teach the faithful that she was a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus.

Infant or youthful Jesus with the cross inscribed halo is seated or standing in front her. In some icons she supports the Christ Child with her arms. His face always has a mature, sometimes adult, countenance to remind the faithful that He is always God even as a child. Jesus is blessing with His right hand. In His left hand He holds an unopened scroll indicating His ministry has not yet begun.

Often only the beginning and ending of each word is used as is tradition in iconography. Words and initials can be written horizontally or vertically. Some churches may also have angels with their hands reverently covered by the folds of their garments kneeling or floating on either side.

Below the Platytera are the Great Hierarchs or “Fathers of the Church” shown in bishop's vestments. St. Basil and St. John Chrysotom, writers of the Divine Liturgy are in the center with St. Gregory the Theologian, Athanasios the Great, St. Spyridon and St. Cyril of Alexandria on each side. They often hold scrolls and each is identified by name, or initials. Their position behind the altar is reminder to the clergy of their great responsibility to uphold the teachings of the Fathers.

The majestic and powerful Pantocrator Icon or “Ruler of All” is seen in the domes of cruciform churches and on the ceiling of single vault basilica style Orthodox Churches. His face, reflecting power and wisdom from the high forehead and large eyes, is simultaneously austere and judgmental but gentle and compassionate. His full brown hair is divided in two. Sometimes there are two small wisps at the top of his forehead. These signify his human and divine natures. His halo, containing a cross inscribed with OΩN or “The One” is found on all icons of Jesus Christ. He is surrounded by gold reflecting the light of glory. The initials IC XC initials for “IΣOYΣ XPIΣTOΣ” or “Jesus Christ” and/or “O Παντοκρατορ” or “The Pantocrator” are above His shoulders. His right hand may be shown with the blessing posture of thumb and third finger touching with first two fingers crossed, forming IC XC or gracefully extending from his garment showing Him as teaching. He holds the Gospel as “The Way to Salvation.” His half length image to enclosed within a circle often banded with concentric circles colorfully embellished with rainbow-hued designs reminiscent of the sun. Inscriptions can also be included on the circle such as “I am the light of the world” or “The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” The image in the dome is not God the Father, but is Jesus Christ the Son. God the Father cannot be portrayed because He has never been seen. Whereas, Jesus was seen and therefore can be portrayed in icons.  

Cocentrically positioned below the Encircled Pantocrator can be angels, some eight-winged and some many-eyed as described in the Scriptures, or prophets of the Old Testament, or the Deisis which includes the Theotokos, St. John the Baptist and Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Placement of these figures near the Pantocrator shows their importance as bearers of God’s word to His people.

In the four pendentives or inverted triangular areas supporting the dome are the writers of the New Testament, the Four Evangelists. They face each other with Matthew and John on the front two pendentives and Luke and Mark on the back two. All are usually shown with scrolls. John sits with his head tilted to hear the angel while Prochoros, his discipile, is writing what is heard. Symbols associated with the Evangelists are taken from Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the four faces of the seraphim. The angel, most human-like, describes the Gospel of Matthew. The eagle, most mystical, describes the Gospel of John, while the lion, most powerful for its focus on Christ , symbolizes the Gospel of Mark. Lastly, the ox, gentle and useful, denotes the Gospel of Luke.

(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.)
 

Excerpts and Photography from
Ecclesia: Greek Orthodox Churches
of the Chicago Metropolis
by Panos Fiorentinos

  Featured Destination: Crete (part 5 of 5)

GEOGRAPHY: The Prefecture of Lasithi is one of the most attractive regions of Crete of particular natural beauty and archaeological interest. Its tranquil shores, well-organised tourist facilities and mild climate make it an ideal venue for vacations. This idyllic picture is completed by the lush vegetation, azure sea, numerous coves and some 5000 windmills. The capital of the Prefecture and its main port is Aghios Nikolaos. Siteia is its second most important harbor and Neapolis and Ierapetra are the other two main towns. The Prefecture is reached by boat or aeroplane, via Herakleion, though the ferry boat on the Piraeus - Kavala route calls at both Siteia and Aghios NikoIaos once a week, connecting Lasithi with Piraeus, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the islands of the north Aegean and Kavala. Excursion cliques sail from Aghios Nikolaos to Elounda and the islet of Spinalonga, and from lerapetra to the islet of Chrysi. There is a bus service from Siteia and Aghios Nikolaos to Herakleion, Rethymnon and Chania.

HISTORY-SIGHTS-MONUMENTS: Aghios Nikolaos, capital of the Prefecture, is built at the far end of the gulf of Mirabello and is today a cosmopolitan holiday resort. It was named after the tiny chapel of St. Nicholas, one of the oldest in Crete (9th century). The Venetians built the mighty fortress of Mirabello here. The dominant feature of the town, an ideal centre from which to visit the rest of eastern Crete, is its lake, Almyri, Vromolimni or Voulismeni, which is linked to the new harbor by a canal. It is actually the sunken crater of a long extinct volcano. In addition to the Byzantine chapel one may visit the Archaeological Museum with its exhibit of finds from excavations carried out in eastern Crete. The road to the north of the town leads to one of the loveliest spots in Crete, Elounda (12 km.). Northeast of Elounda is the peninsula of Spinalonga, a rocky area which was a leper colony for many years, and dominated by the ruined Venetian fortress on its crest. At the very point the peninsula joins the land are the ruins of ancient Olous and an Early Christian basilica with mosaic floor has been excavated on the isthmus. Elounda has a cosmopolitan ambiance. A little further north on a small island, opposite the village if Plaka (9 km.) are remnants of Venetian and Turkish structures, a fortress and chapel. 15 km north of Aghios Nikolaos is Neapolis one of the most important towns in the Prefecture and capital of Lasithi from 1868-1903. There is a small Archaeological Collection of local finds and a Folklore Museum.

10 km. southwest of Aghios Nikolaos lies the ruined city of Lato, one of the most important in Crete. Nearby is one of the island's most renowned churches, Panaghia Kera, with 14th century wall-paintings. In the adjacent village of Kritsa there is another noteworthy church, of St. George, with early 14th century wall-paintings. Southeast of Aghios Nikolaos (10 km.) is the Minoan town of Gournia where the foundations of the houses and street system, dating from 1500-1450 BC are exposed. Finds from this area, as well as from the small shrine and palace unearthed here, are displayed in the Herakleion Museum. To the north of Gournia is Pacheia Ammos (21 km. from Aghios Nikolaos), a charming coastal village, focus of many routes and tourist centres. On the south side of the island (36 km. from Aghios Nikolaos) is lerapetra, one of the island's most thriving tourist centres. It is built on the site of the ancient city which flourished particularly in Roman times. The small archaeological collection includes finds from excavations here. There is also a small fortress and little house where Napoleon Bonaparte is reputed to have stayed a night en route to Egypt. West of lerapetra (14 km.) is yet another significant archaeological site, Myrtos (52 Km southwest of Aghios Nikolaos), a beautiful seaside village with an archaeological collection of finds from the ancient settlement located at the southeast edge of the present village. East of lerapetra there is yet another lovely settlement by the sea, Makryyalos (60 km.southeast of Aghios Nikolaos) where there are remnants of a Minoan villa and a monastery of St. John. There was another prehistoric settlement at Lastro (35 km. east of Aghios Nikolaos) and also a Byzantine church of St.George. At Mochlos too (48.5 km. east of Aghios Nikolaos) there are traces of a Minoan settlement. One of the main tourist centres on Crete is Siteia (68 km. east of Aghios Nikolaos), built amphitheatrically on the creek of a bay surrounded by greenery. Siteia was the birthplace of Vintsentos Kornaros. There is a Folk Museum in which notable examples of folk art, as well as objects for everyday use are displayed. The Archaeological Museum is also worth visiting. From Siteia one may easily visit the archaeological sites of Praisos, Itanos and Zakros.

21 km. east of Siteia is the historic monastery of Toplou and even further north is Vai (98 km east of Aghios Nikolaos) an exotic spot where the indigenous palm forest grows down to the sea. 2 km from Vai arise the ancient ruins of Itanos, yet another important Minoan city finds frim which can be seen in the Herakleion Museum. Palaikastro (85 km from Aghios Nikolaos) on the east coast was important in Minoan times and is today a major tourist spot. One of the loveliest parts of East Crete is Zakros with its narrow streets and whitewashed houses set in the midst of a verdant landscape. 4 km east of Kato Zakros a very important Minoan palace has been revealed, contemporary with those at Knossos, Phaistos and Mallia. The impressive finds from Zakros are exhibited in the Herakleion Museum.

Tzerniado (44 km west of Aghios Nikolaos) is the main town of the Lasithi plateau (Oropedio). There are two Postbyzantine monasteries on the plateau, at Vidiani and Kroustalleies. Archaelogical finds have been discovered at Trapeza and the Dikte cave near Psychro (48 km west of Aghios Nikolaos), said to be the birthplace of Zeus. At the edge of the plateau is the Chavga gorge with a magnificent view, a centre for partisans during the German occupation.

The Prefecture of Lasithi boasts some of the finest beaches on Crete, all of which can be reached by bus or car: Ammoudi, Elounda, Pacheia Ammos, Mochlos, Siteia, Vai, Palaikastro, Kato Zakro, Makryyalos, Ierapetra, Myrtos. One may take a caique from lerapetra and visit the islet of Chrysi (9 nautical miles) with its gorgeous beaches and tropical vegetation. Similarly one can sail to the small island of Aghios Nikolaos in the bay of Siteia and to Pseira opposite Mochlos in the gulf of Mirabello. Accommodation is available in hotels, large and small, pensions, furnished rooms and apartments. The large hotels are equipped with tennis courts and facilities for water sports. There are volleyball and tennis courts at Aghios Nikolaos. The shores are ideal for fishing and there is a small game in the interior.

Some products to help prepare you for your trip to Crete...
Map of Kriti (Crete) Chania Rethimno Iraklio Lassithi	Crete - Lasithi - Travel Guide	Minoan Dolphin Fresco T-shirt Style D201	Cretan Head Scarf - Sariki	Crete Boy Costume for ages 4-14 Style 644005	Crete Girl Costume for ages 4-14 Style 643005

 September 2009 Greek Orthodox Calendar

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