About Agios Fanourios
and the tradition of the Faneropita
Άγιε μου Φανούριε, φανέρωσε το.
My St. Fanourios, reveal it.
Little is known of the holy Martyr Fanourios. His Icon was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes – we therefore call him The Newly Revealed. We pray to Saint Fanourios to help recover things that have been lost.
The Tradition of the Faneropita
When the saint reveals what is lost, bake this cake in his honor, and bring it to the church to be blessed and shared with the community. It is also a tradition for each person to say a prayer for St. Fanourios’ mother when eating their slice of the cake.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups flour
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 cup oil
- 1 cup & 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup dark raisins
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- grated peel of one lemon
- pinch of salt
- powdered sugar to dust the top
Directions:
- Mix flour and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, mix oil, sugar, orange juice, water and lemon peel. Beat well.
- Add baking powder, salt, raisins and walnuts to the first bowl. Mix well.
- Add dry ingredients to Bowl 2.
- Grease and flour a baking pan.
- Pour batter into pan.
- Bake for 45 minutes @ 350 degrees.
- Cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar.
Tip: Let the cake sit a day before serving, as it will better absorb the flavor.
The Tradition of Agios Fanourios' Mother
There is a tradition that his mother was a sinner, and Agios Fanourios was unable to convert her in her lifetime. After she died, it is said that he prayed more for her salvation than for his own. Even when facing is own death, he prayed:
For the sake of these my sufferings, Lord, help all those who will pray to Thee for the salvation of Fanourios' sinful mother.
So, the following prayer has become a tradition for many Christians:
O Lord, save Fanourios' mother and help me, a sinner.