On August 27 the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast Day of Agios Fanourios, commemorating the Martyr and Miracle Worker who is asked to intercede when things are lost.

Fanouropita is also made on August 27th, to commemorate Saint Fanourios.

The story behind this is said to be that the Saint’s mother is said to have been a tough, and hard woman especially towards the poor, and behaved inhumanly and The Archangel Michael, along with Agios Fanourios, tried to help her change but couldn’t.

Agios Fanourios begged and prayed not for himself but for his mother to be forgiven and for her soul to rest in peace and this is said to have been heard by God. So now the faithful also turn to Agios Fanourios to intercede for them and to pray for them when they lose objects and ask for him to reveal them or to bring them something they desire, especially good health, fertility, or even a for a husband and wife for those who are single.

Agios Fanourios Church, Rhodes

The church is located at the namesake street in the Medieval Town of Rhodes. It was built in the 13th century A.D. It’s cross shaped and the interior is adorned with wonderful frescos. It officiated as a mesgit (small mosque) during the ottoman occupation.

There is no known testimony for its name before the ottoman period. The interior was preserved in the 20’s by the Italian Archaeological Service and after WWII, Greeks took over the church. In 1946 the church was inaugurated and dedicated to Agios Fanourios.

The worship of Agios Fanourios seems to have started from Rhodes and then expanded initially to Crete and then to the rest of the country.

Different sources cite that, while workers were digging outside the southern walls to collect building materials, they uncovered the ruins of a church. Among other things, an icon was found depicting Agios Fanourios wearing a military uniform and surrounded by scenes of his martyrdom.

Obviously that icon was part of a fresco. Agios Fanourios’ first miracle was the liberation of three Cretan priests from pirates while transferring a copy of the archetypal icon to Crete.

There is a special church dedicated to Agios Fanourios, which is located at Lake Doxa, which is an artificial lake in western Corinthia, Greece. It is situated at an elevation of 900m, in the municipal unit Feneos, near the village Archaia Feneos.

Construction was completed in the late 1990s. It is fed and drained by the small river Doxa, which empties into the plain of Feneos. In the heart of the lake on a small peninsula features the small church of Agios Fanourios.

There is also a church dedicated to Saint Fanourios at Drapetzona in Piraeus.

The Tortures of Agios Fanourios

Saint Fanourios, who lived during Roman times, went up bravely against the idolatric world, for the Christian spirit of this man of God did not allow him to deny his unquestionably virtuous principles.

Thus, the 12 tortures that the Saint suffered constitute for us a strong motivation for perseverance and adherence to the moral values of Christianity, to come out victors from the in-cessant struggle of unbelief and injustice of our time.

This Saint teaches us with his real sacrifice that even though we do not struggle against Roman soldiers and vile Hagarenes, still we have to confront the more skillfully set traps of materialism and atheism, that attempt en masse to overwhelm the Christian order.

Saint Fanourios also taught us that the crown of a virtuous life is not easily won but only through continuous tests – with boldness, patience and perseverance. Therefore, as true fighters of the faith let us imitate the exemplary and irreproachable life of the Saint, so that we too may be found worthy to honour the Christian name we bear, as he so fittingly did.

The icon of Fanourios often depicts the 12 tortures/tribulations that he was subjected to as the pagan Roman rulers tried to force him to denounce his Christian beliefs. Below is what the icon typically shows.

1. The Saint is present in front of the Roman magistrate, standing and looking like he is boldly testifying and defending his Christian faith.

2. Here the soldiers are intervening and striking Fanourios’ head and the mouth with stones to force him to succumb and deny the Lord.

3. The soldiers have thus far become enraged by the persistence of Fanourios, throwing him to the ground and beating him mercilessly with sticks and clubs to break his steadfast resistance.

4. Fanourios is in jail and is being tortured in a most abominable way. He appears totally naked and the surrounding soldiers are tearing his flesh with sharp metal instruments. The Saint is silently enduring his frightful martyrdom.

5. Fanourios is back in jail praying to God to strengthen him to the end of his tortures.

6. The Saint is again brought before the Roman magistrate to give a defense for his posi-tion. By the peaceful expression on his face it appears that neither the tortures he suf-fered nor the future threats of the tyrant can shake his faith, and thus being undeterred he is waiting for further tortures.

7. The torturers of Fanourios with rage and cruelty are burning his naked body with lit torches, thus showing his insuperable sacrifice for the Crucified One. The Saint wins again with his indomitable will and fortitude for the Lord.

8. Here his savage torturers are making use of mechanical means to achieve the worse of his tortures. They have tied the Saint on a press which crushes his bones when rotated. He is suffering without grumbling, but on his beautiful face there is an inexpressible exul-tation since he is suffering for the sake of the Lord.

9. Fanourios is cast into a pit to become prey to wild beasts and his torturers are watching from above to witness his end. The beasts, however, are totally docile through the grace of God and silently surround him like lambs to enjoy his magnificent company.

10. The torturers were not satisfied by the latest result so they removed him from the hole and are crushing him under a huge rock, convinced that they will finish him off. However, even this time they do not succeed.

11. The scene presents the Saint in front of an altar, where the torturers are urging him to sacrifice, placing burning coal in his hands. Fanourios also passes this test victoriously and a devil in the form of a dragon is shown flying in the air and crying over its failure.

12. The last scene is the end of his martyrdom, with Fanourios being cast into a large furnace standing on a stool and surrounded by flames and smoke. The Saint seems to be praying intently to God, without complaining or grumbling, and thus unwavering and without giving in, he flew to heaven, full of contentment for all the tortures he had suffered for the sake of the Lord.

The Saint For Finding Lost Things

Agios Fanourios’ name is from the Greek word ‘fanerono’ which means reveal.

The tradition of baking a Fanouropita is a great honour bestowed upon the Saint.

Many Greeks worldwide today will make a Fanouropita and take it to church to be blessed and then they will share it amongst family and friends.

When you make the cake, you are also meant to say-

“Lord have mercy on the soul of Agios Fanourios’ mother.”

Today is also the name day of Fanourios, Fanouria.

Xronia Polla!

Agios Fanourios’ name is from the Greek word ‘fanerono’ which means reveal.

The tradition of baking a Fanouropita is a great honour bestowed upon the Saint.

Many Greeks worldwide today will make a Fanouropita and take it to church to be blessed and then they will share it amongst family and friends.

When you make the cake, you are also meant to say-

“Lord have mercy on the soul of Agios Fanourios’ mother.”

Today is also the name day of Fanourios, Fanouria.

Xronia Polla!

 Here is an easy to follow recipe-

Ingredients →

• 1 x cup olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups fresh orange juice
• 2 x teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 x teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 x cup sugar
• 2 x cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 1 x cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 x teaspoon baking powder
• Icing sugar for garnishing (optional)

Method →

• Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a 20–25 cm round cake tin with baking paper.
• Place the olive oil, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves and sugar in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves a little.
• 
Gradually add the flour, mixing well, then add the walnuts, followed by the baking powder. Stir until well combined.
• Pour the cake mix into the tin and bake for 15 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature to 130°C and bake for a further 40 minutes or until cooked (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean). Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
• Dust with icing sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.