— Percy Bysshe Shelly G reek tradition is linked closely with the Greek Orthodox religion. Orthodox Greeks are devout and God-fearing people who follow the dogmas of the church. The church has always been the center of all Greek life events, such as weddings, funerals and christenings.

On a cold winter in January, I decide it’s a good time to strengthen my connection with my religion. So I fire up the oven and bake bread for church. As the wind blows outside, my kitchen is warm and cozy. Soon, the room is filled with sweet smells, the strong aroma of fermenting yeast and the delicate fragrance of baking bread. These loaves I dedicate to my late husband who passed away Jan. 25, 2000.

The role of bread in the Greek Orthodox Church has always been very important. In every Divine Liturgy, the priest commemorates, reenacts and relives the Last Supper of Christ with his disciples. The altar bread called “Prosforon”, which means offering, is offered by the believers to God and symbolizes the bread offered by Christ to his disciples when he said: “Take, eat: this is my body that is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.”

We take the Prosforo to church with a list of names for the priest to mention during the Divine Liturgy. You put the first names of the living in one column of your note and the names of the deceased in another column. The priest cuts the Prosforo in their honor and recites their names during the service.

Prosforon consists of two parts, a top and a bottom. This signifies the two natures of Christ, heavenly and earthly. The altar bread is stamped on top with a religious seal known as the “Stragida,” which is divided into four parts and includes markings of the sign of the cross and the Greek symbols IC XC, NIKA. The symbols are the abbreviations of the words “Jesus Christ conquers.”

My lovely friend Chris Sagris gave me a simple and easy recipe for baking Prosforo, but I am an apprentice and have not captured the balance of delicate touch and the authority to command the dough. I do not know what Father Basil – the priest at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco – must have thought when he unwrapped the loaves because my seal hardly showed. I tried.

To learn more about Greek cooking, Vefa Alexiadou’s wonderful book “Greek Pastries and Desserts” has a great deal of interesting and delicious recipes. The author includes sweet memories of the many, cherished customs from the not so far away past.

Upcoming events:

For those who love horses and ponies, celebrate Valentine’s Day with a pony ride on Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at LaDawn Quarter Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. All ages are welcome. Participants can take pictures and make their own stuffed animal.

Demonstrations by some of the horses will take place at noon.

If you are having a birthday soon, have a party at LaDawn’s with therapy horses. For more information, contact DonnaLariviere@ladawntherapeuticriding.org.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.