The tradition of fanouropita originated around 1500 AD, or 1355-1369 AD, to venerate the icon of Saint Fanourios when he was discovered untouched between ruins in Rhodes or Cyprus. In local Orthodox tradition, Saint Fanourios has been since known as the patron saint of lost objects. When a lost object is revealed or found, followers of Saint Fanourios have often baked Propitiation in memory of his mother. His mother was known as a cruel sinner, sent to hell because of her shameful life. Fanourios prayed that her soul would be saved, begging God for her salvation.

Fanouropita is a sweet cake recipe from Greek cuisine and is traditionally a Lenten cake, also called “lost and found cake.” It is traditionally served on St. Fanourios‘ feast day on August 27, given to Greek Orthodox believers as a blessing.

Fanouropita is oil-based and does not contain any butter or eggs so that it can be eaten on holy fasting days. Believers offer the cake expecting “revelations” on objects or people, or to find something they are looking for.

A traditional pie dedicated to Saint Fanourios

According to custom, the ingredients should be either 7 or 9. Women in Greece make this pie once a year, on the eve of Saint Fanourios name day, every 27th of August. They bring their pies to the church of Saint Fanourios, where the priest blesses them with a nice ceremony. After the Mass, the pies are cut and everybody is welcome to taste them.

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brandy
1/2 cup raisins or cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 160-170 C.

In a large bowl add the sugar, brundy and olive oil. Using a hand whisk beat until the sugar dissolves.

In a separate bowl, combine the orange juice with the baking soda and mix with a fork until the baking soda froths and dissolves completely.

Add the orange juice and baking soda mixture to the bowl with the sugar, and oil. Whisk thoroughly using a hand whisk or an electric mixer.

In another bowl add the flour, ground cinnamon, raisins and chopped walnuts. Mix using a wooden spoon.Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture, a little bit at a time, whilst whisking. Mix until the ingredients are completely combined and the mixture is smooth like a thick batter.

Transfer the mixture to a rectangular or round oiled baking pan, 28cm in diameter and bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on the oven. To check if the fanouropita is ready stick a toothpich in the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean then it is ready. If not bake a little longer and check again.

Leave the fanouropita to cool down completely before removing the pan. Serve the fanouropita with icing sugar