Fanouropita is a Greek, vegan, spicy cake made to honour St. Fanourios, who is known to help people find lost objects or to reveal things to them.
When the lost item is found or what you have asked for has materialized, one should bake a Fanouropita, which is a cake in memory of St. Fanourios’ mother, and give it either to the poor or in church, after the liturgy which takes place either on the eve of Saint Fanourios name day, 26th of August or on the 27th in the morning or at the vesper.
The cake is brought to any church, preferably of Saint Fanourios also written Phanourios, where the priest blesses it with a nice ceremony.
In Cyprus, apart from the above dates, the faithful can also take the cake to church every Friday. To be frank, I don’t know if this tradition takes place in Greece as well.
After the liturgy, the cakes are cut and shared with the people. (Have a knife and napkins with you or cut them ahead and wrap each piece in cling film).
About Aghios Phanourios
On August 27th, according to the Greek Synaxarion, we commemorate the Holy Martyr Phanourios.
He appeared to people on the island of Rhodes in 1500.
Several people had a vision of the saint and then his icon was discovered.
Aghios Phanouriosis the saint of revelation – that is why he is often depicted as a young soldier holding a sword in one hand and a lit candle in the other.
There is a tradition concerning him and his mother, who was a harlot and great sinner. His love for his mother caused him to pray for her incessantly.
At the time of his martyric death by stoning, he could not even then forget his mother, and with the boldness that is peculiar to athletes of Christ, prayed: “For the sake of these my sufferings, Lord, help all those who will pray to Thee for the salvation of Phanourios’ sinful mother”.
Many to this day pray for his mother and have her listed in their personal diptychs used for commemorations in the Divine Liturgy as “The Mother of St Phanourios” since her name is not known.
On the day of the Saint, there is a tradition that the faithful bake a special bread (cake), and according to some accounts, give it to the poor as alms in the name of his mother, and others, share it with at least seven other people.
St Phanourios’ name gives a hint about another tradition concerning the Saint. “Phanourios” comes from the Greek word, “phanerono”, meaning “I reveal”.
He is known to help people find lost objects or reveal things that you want to happen.
All the cakes you see in the church are made after finding the objects asked to be found.
St Phanourios’ church in Pangrati, in Agiou Fanouriou Street, is a very small church belonging to the Holy Land and the blessing takes place in the back yard. This year there were more than 200 cakes and breads spread on three big tables.
This cake is really delicious. You don’t need to be an Orthodox Christian to make it. In the title I name it as “vegan”. It can easily be made “vegan” by adding plain tahini and substituting honey with more sugar.
Those receiving the cake must ask for his mother’s sins to be forgiven “Ο Θεός να μακαρίσει τη μάνα του Αγίου Φανουρίου” (the name of his mother is not known) .
A few months back my son lost something which at the time seemed impossible to be found. After making all possible efforts to recover it, without success, I told him that on the eve of St. Fanourios I would make a cake if what he was looking for was recovered.
A few days later it was miraculously recovered.
The cake must be lenten and contain any of the ingredients listed below provided that the number is odd: 7, 9, 11, etc.
The basic ingredients are flour, sugar, oil, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts and then any other ingredients may also be added.
In Cyprus the tradition says that the cake, after being blessed in church, must be given to 7 women who were married only once and are not divorced.
Before, going to the recipe, as many of you who follow me on Facebook, may have already heard that my beloved brother passed away, after a heart attack, on 20th of August (2010). He is leaving behind his beloved wife and three children.
Ι wish to thank you all for your lovely messages, either private, here or at facebook after the announcement of the death of my beloved brother.
Although I still need some time to grieve, and it will take some time until I feel like blogging again, I am writing this post for my orthodox readers who may want to make this sweet bread (or cake), in memory of my late brother.
In the meantime there are also some happy moments in our life as well. Yesterday, we learned that my daughter has passed at Panteios University of Economics and Political Sciences, in Athens, Department of Sociology. Also, my son who has finished his first semestre of his Master Degree, came first in his class and won a scolarship.
Fanouropita is a vegan, spicy cake that is dedicated to St. Fanourios whose memory is celebrated on the 27th August. The cake is usually made with self-rising flour. However, as I did not have some, I made it myself by adding salt and baking powder. The ratio is for 150 grams of plain flour, 5 grams of baking powder and 2.5 grams of salt. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Fanouropita (Vegan Cake)
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 400
Here is another Phanouropita I made today, as St. Phanourios revealed some great news for our family, which, however, I wish to keep private.
This is a very easy cake which I made without even using a mixer but just a simple whisk.
The video was taken in 2018, when making the cake again, this time using the mixer.
My take on Fanouropita: "with Tahini" (Vegan Cake)
Fanouropita is a Greek, vegan cake made to honour St. Fanourios, who is known to help people find lost objects or to reveal things to you.
Ingredients
- 375 grams all-purpose flour* (or use self raising flour)
- 100 grams sugar (I used muscovado sugar)
- 65 grams olive oil
- 125 grams tahini with honey (same amount of plain tahini but increase sugar to 1 cup)
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy (or if you do not want to use alcohol, substitute with more orange juice)
- 30 grams raisins
- 150 grams crushed walnuts
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cloves, powdered
- 1 tbsp baking powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Beat olive oil, tahini and sugar in the mixer.
- Meantime mix flour with baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves. In another bowl mix walnuts, raisins and orange zest with a few tablespoons of above flour mixture.
- Mix orange juice, brandy, vinegar and baking soda together and mix it with all the other ingredients in the mixer. Add the flour, mix remove from the mixer and add the walnuts and raisins.
- Preheat oven at 180o C / 350o F.
- Grease a 20 cm baking pan with olive oil and sprinkle on it a little sugar and flour or line with parchment paper.
- Pour the mixture into the pan.
- Bake for about 50 minutes or until a knife, inserted in the centre, comes out clean.
- When it cools, you can sprinkle some icing sugar on top.
Notes
The cake is usually made with self-rising flour. However, as I did not have some, I made it myself by adding salt and baking powder. The ratio is for 150 grams of plain flour, 5 grams of baking powder and 2.5 grams of salt.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 441 Total Fat: 23g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 19g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 270mg Carbohydrates: 50g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 16g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 9g
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You can find many more Greek recipes in my cookbook “More Than A Greek Salad”, and “Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!” both available on all Amazon stores.
Other similar recipes:
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Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Myrto
Thank you for posting the story and recipe about Aghios Phanourios and congratulations for your daughter and son!
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lisaiscooking
I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother. My sympathies to you and your family. Such a lovely tradition about the cake, and it sounds delicious.
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Rosa
Congrats to your daughter and son! I hope that you are feel ok…
That is a wonderful cake. So flavorful, mmmhhh!
In thoughts with you,
Rosa xoxo
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Ivy
Thank you very much.
Valerie CityLifeEats
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. Keeping you and my family in my thoughts.
alison
wonderful story of this fanaouropita!congrats for your children,you must be a proud mother!life is a mix of happiness and sadness…
5starfoodie
A wonderful cake and a great tribute for your brother. I hope you will be ok. Congratulations to your son and daughter on their achievements.
Jen of a2eatwrite
Again, Ivy, you and your family are in my heart and prayers. Safe travels. Congratulations to your son and daughter – that's fabulous news about both of them! Lovely cake, too.
Anita
Thank you for taking the time to share this story and delicious bread recipe. You must very proud of your children, congrats! Thinking of you.
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Nadji
Toutes mes condoléances pour ton frère : il n'est jamais facile de trouver les mots justes face à la douleur.
Le succès de tes enfants compense et console un peu .
Un gâteau à tester bientôt.
Bon courage et reviens quand tu peux.
Angie's Recipes
Ivy, Congratulations to your daughter and son!
I hope you do feel a bit better by now….. all the fond and dear memories of your brother will always stay in your heart.
Angie
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Heni
I love cakes with tahini – def try this out! I hope you are feeling better … =)
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mylittleexpatkitchen
Congratulations for your daughter and son Ivy! That is wonderful news.
Thanks also for this recipe. I've never Fanouropita.
Magda
rabicamail
all the best for your son and daughter.
Juliana
Sorry for the loss of your brother…and congratulations for your daughter and son…so nice!
The cake is so interesting and so the information on your post…thanks!
Cakelaw
Oh Ivy, I am so sorry for your loss. This is the first I heard of it. Congrats also to your talented son and daughter.
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Erica
I am sorry for your loss!!!!The cake sounds interesting….. I would love to try it.
Mary
Ivy, this is my first visit to your blog, though I suspect it will not be my last. I am sorry for your loss and hope that time will ease your sorrow. I found you through the FoodBuzz Project Food Blog competition and wanted you to know how much I enjoy the food and recipes you feature here. I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm anxious to see what you feature in the next competition challenge. Blessings…Mary
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Ivy
Thank you so much Mary. I am still debating whether to participate or not.
tasteofbeirut
Dear Ivy
I have read this post with so much admiration; I am so impressed that despite your grief you managed to research and write and bake with so much professionalism. Such interesting tradition for that cake. Life is so strange, handing you sorrow on one hand and joy on the other; I would take both and be grateful. I am going to try this cake, as we have been blessed this year with a lot of walnuts from our orchard. I am so glad you are still blogging and I am going to be cheering you on as you participate in that contest..
Ivy
Thank you Joumana.