Mortal Bread
“Your Fathers ate Manna in the desert, and they died.”
Bucharest-based photographer Nicu Buculei captures a spread of Romanian koliva cakes. Koliva is a boiled grain dish: in an ancient practice that persists in Eastern Christianity, the preparation and consumption of koliva is associated with memorial services and the process of grief, recalling the words of the Apostle Paul, that in death, the body is “sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1Cor 15:42-44). Likewise, Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground and die, it remains a single grain. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:24).
He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word.
— Deuteronomy 8:8
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
Almighty God, give us the increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you have promised, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Evlogiteria of the Dead
The dulcet voice of Fr Apostolos Hill — Dean of the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix, AZ — intones one of the richest and most powerful hymns of the Eastern tradition — the Evlogiteria of the Dead. In speaking in the voice of the deceased, the hymn speaks for every human being at the depth of their despair and helplessness, quivering before the insufferable divine glory to cry out, “Blessed are you, O God! Teach me your statues!” then with each verse, repeating various aspects of that most profound and intimate plea, “Save me, O Savior!”
Of old, you fashioned me out of nothingness, and honored me with your Divine Image. But because of my transgressions of your commandments, you returned me again to the earth from whence I was taken. Lead me back to be refashioned into that ancient beauty of your likeness! I am the image of Your unutterable glory, though I bear the scars of my stumblings. Have compassion on me, the works of Your hands, O sovereign Lord, and cleanse me through Your loving-kindness; and bestow on me the homeland of my heart’s desire, making me a citizen of Paradise.
