I like “St. Fanourios”, an Orthodox saint, but really cool and does he ever find lost things. I think he just likes for people to share his cake…
Known only to God, St. Fanourios is the finder of lost things. This came about due to his image on an icon being discovered by nomadic pegans among old church ruins. They discarded it and some monks hiding in the ruins found it after they left, it was perfect as though it had just been written/painted. The scenes of torture on it were most alarming and an indication to the Bishop of that time that Fanourios was truly a saint.
agapeicons.com/site/1286684/product/156-111112050
Fanouropita - St. Fanourios’ Cake
One rather common superstition that is closely followed here in Rhodes, is that when you have a problem or a question you can ask for St. Fanourios for help and to ‘Fanerose to’ or to ‘show you’ the answer. It is generally used in cases when you need to see or find something. For instance finding lost keys, seeing a good report from a doctor or having a lost love come to redeem him/herself.
I’ve tried to get more information about St. Fanourios himself, but not much is known about the Saint. His Icon was found in Rhodes in the 14th century. He was dressed in military clothing and carrying a cross. I can only assume that he was one of the Crusaders of the era that protected the Mediterranean. His Name Day is celebrated on August 27th.
According to Greek lore, he will show you the answer to your problem or question if in return you offer him a cake and ask God to forgive his mother and rest her soul in peace. It is unclear as to why we ask for his mothers’ forgiveness. Some stories say that she was a sinner of some sort, others that its only spoken out of respect as Greeks always ask God to forgive and rest a soul in peace when they refer to the dead.
The Fanouropita is not just any cake. It is made completely out of fasting ingredients and contains no dairy products. While you’re making this cake you keep in mind the problem at hand or the question that you wish an answer to.
After it is baked, the cake must be given to at least 7 different houses. In other words, people from at least 7 different families have to eat it. Of course, after meeting the 7-house requirement, you and your family can have some too. None of this cake can be thrown away; all of it has to be consumed.
When you have given your 7 different friends a slice of this, each individual has to say these words out loud before taking the first bite. “May God forgive St. Fanouris’ mother and rest her soul in peace”. This is the only prayer that has to be said, and after those words are spoken, you can enjoy the cake. You will get an answer to your problem or question within time.
I have also been told that some villages have a variation to this superstition. The 7 different houses have to be women by the name of ‘Mary’ or a derivative of it. I’ve always just kept the 7 house standard, but if you do know 7 different ‘Marys’, it couldn’t hurt.
The cake is very simple to make and is tasty and moist. You’ll notice that it doesn’t contain any dairy products so it can be eaten during the Lent season if you are fasting too. See our section on Greek Superstitions and Legends to read the story behind this cake.
Ingredients
1 cup ‘white’ oil - soy or corn oil works well 1 cup white sweet wine
1 cup sugar 1 tbs. grated lemon peel
1 cup fresh orange juice 1 tbs. grated orange peel
1 tbs. baking powder 1 cup raisins tossed in flour, optional
3 cups flour sesame seeds
Oil and flour a baking pan of your choice. The usual is a sheet cake pan but I use a bundt pan instead and after I have oiled it well, I sprinkle the sesame seeds onto the oil instead of using flour - it makes a beautiful cake when it’s turned out of the pan.
Add all the ingredients into a large mixer bowl and beat well. Pour into your pan and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for about an hour for a bundt form. Use a toothpick to check if it’s done with other cake forms as it may take less baking time.
That’s it. You have a wonderful cake that is light and delicious.
Susie’s note: If you are not fasting for the Lent season, I recommend substituting 1 cup of milk for the wine. I think it gives it much better texture. I also prefer to use the raisins for some added sweetness and zip.
faliraki-info.com/susie/greek-recipes/pastries/fanouropita.htm
May you be blessed abundantly through her intercession 
:yup: