"Gifted Pan"

Plutarch Vamvakias, Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou,
Tina Vamvakias, all of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Marietta, GA

The Gifted Pan for Perfect Prosforon
Tina Vamvakias, Designer

I have been making prosforon for about 18 years and if you are a prosforon baker, you may be able to relate to what brought about this design.

I tried many recipes for prosforon in the hopes that I could find a recipe that would make a readable seal every time. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Each time it was my turn to bake the prosforon for my church, I found that instead of my having a humble and prayerful heart, I would be filled with anxiety. I wondered if I would get a good seal in order for my priest to say communion prayers, or if I would have to make it again and again until he would be able to read the seal.

As I continued to try, I kept thinking that there must be a better way to insure a good seal impression every time. Since I am an amateur potter, I had an idea that maybe a pottery bowl with a seal in the base might work. While the idea was good, the properties of pottery clay made the prosforon dense and not the texture it should be.

I began searching for a company that would create a prototype, nonstick baking pan to my specifications. That was quite a challenge. Many doors closed, but with God's guidance, many doors opened. Finally, I found my pan maker and The Gifted Pan became a reality. The Gifted Pan's prosforon seal makes a great, readable impression - every time!

May God's blessings shine upon you as you bake.

The Gifted Pan is a nonstick, heavy duty, cast aluminum 9" pan
As of June, 2007 orders will be taken; check or money order accepted; pans will be shipped in the early Fall; parish bookstores may call for a discount; Introductory cost: $65 each + S/H ($10)
Mail to: The Gifted Pan
106 Pebble Brooke Run
Canton, GA 30115
404-312-2988
www.thegiftedpan.com

"Our Recipe*

*Directions for use with a KitchenAid mixer. if making without a mixer, knead for about 20 minutes or until a smooth dough is formed.

Ingredients

4C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 1/2 C very warm water (more or less, as needed)
Begin with the Trisagion Prayer

MIx dry ingredients together. Add water slowly, mixing until a dough is formed. Using you dough hook set on #2 speed, mix for about 8 minutes. You may add flour or water as needed to form a soft dough. The consistency should be so that the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Place the dough onto a floured surface, knead and form into a ball. Place in a bowl, cover with a clean cloth and let it rise until double in size ~ 30 minutes.

Close with the Trisagion Prayer

Once the dough has risen, punch down and let it rest for a few minutes. Pinch off ~ 1/3 of the dough. Knead, popping air bubbles with toothpick, then form into a ball with a very smooth surface. Flatten with a rolling pin. Place this portion upside down (smooth side down) into The Gifted Pan and press into the seal. The more time you take to press into the seal, the more distinct the impression will be. Take the remaining dough, knead, pop air bubbles and flatten as above. Place into The Gifted Pan and press down for an even surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for ~ 1 hour. When done, immediately remove from the pan and let it cool on a rack.

Close with the Trisagion and Prosforon Prayers

Trisagion Prayer

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Priest, if present, says:
For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, I of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

If a priest is not present, we say:
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen

Prosforon Prayer
This bread that we have baked represents each one of us in this family and in our congregation. We are offering ourselves to You, our very life, in humble obedience and total commitment to You. We place ourselves on Your holy altar through this bread to be used by You in any way You feel will help enlarge Your kingdom. Accept our gift and make us worthy to receive the greater gift that You will give us when you consecrate this bread and give it back to us as Your precious body. Amen

Testimonials

Dear Gifted Pan:

In summary it works.

I had never made bread before in my life and my first attempt with your bread pan and recipe came out flawless. The stamp was raised perfectly and the bread had great taste with a crusty outside and a soft inside.

Even guys who never pass through a kitchen except to "nuke" a snack can make this bread. I would even be honored to offer this to the church for blessing.

My Best Regards

Steven C. Thompson
Alpharetta, GA

Subject: Re: Emailing: Prosforon pan with Fr.Panayotis

"The prosforo pan has made it easy to make your offering and bring it to church for the Holy Eucharist. I tried the pan myself and the results are amazing. I am only using prosforo made with the pan for the proskomide because now I can have consistency in the bread and a beautiful seal to make the amnos from."

Fr. Panayiotis, Marietta, GA

Malista!