Fanouropita: Symbols and Customs of St. Fanourios' Cake

Every year on August 27th, St. Fanourios is celebrated, and the custom of Fanouropita is honored. According to popular belief, Fanouropita helps to "reveal" lost objects, opportunities, jobs, or loves.

Fanouropita is a traditional sweet fasting cake of Greek cuisine, offered on the day of remembrance of St. Fanourios and given to the faithful as a blessing. It does not contain butter, but olive oil, and the faithful ask for the "revelation" of objects or people.

The ingredients of Fanouropita must be in an odd number, usually seven, nine, or eleven. The basic ingredients are flour, olive oil, sugar, orange juice, baking powder, walnuts, and raisins. Other ingredients may include cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and water.

St. Fanourios is considered the saint who helps in finding lost objects, due to the connection of his name with "reveal". Women promise a Fanouropita to forgive the sins of the Saint's mother.

In Crete, the center of worship of the Saint is located in the Valsamonerou area of Heraklion.