St. Barbara's Day

On Friday, December 17, 1999, the Orthodox churches celebrate St. Barbara's Day - the Protestant and Catholic churches celebrated on December 4. The Sabeel Nazareth branch marked this occasion with a celebration on December 11. According to tradition, Barbara (Burbara in Arabic) was the daughter of the pagan Dioscurus. On discovering that she became a Christian, her father tried to kill her, but she was miraculously transported out of his reach. Dioscurus denounced her to the authorities. Despite being tortured, she refused to denounce her faith. Her father killed her and was immediately struck by lightning and reduced to ashes. As a result of her father's fate, St. Barbara's prayers are especially sought as protection against thunderstorms and fire, and by an extension of this idea she became the patron saint of gunners, miners and firefighters. Palestinians Christians mark the occasion with a Burbara pudding made from shelled wheat. Some people believe this is in remembrance of a time she was locked up in a storeroom and only had these ingredients available to eat. Let us know if you know of another origin of this traditional pudding and we will publish it on this page. In any case, we wanted to share the recipe with you.

Recipe for Burbara

Ingredients (20 servings)

500g (1lb) crushed peeled (shelled) wheat
500g (1lb) light sultanas
500g (1lb) dried apricots
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons fennel
2 teaspoons anise
Crushed walnuts
20 tablespoons sugar (optional according to taste)

Directions

1. Wash wheat and soak overnight.
2. Drain, cover with cold water to 2cm above wheat.
3. Boil water until wheat is tender.
4. Add spices and sugar.
5. Wash raisins.
6. Dice apricots.
7. Add to wheat.
8. Boil for 10 minutes.
9. Serve with crushed walnuts.

ENJOY!