Kolyva aka Sperna - Greek Religious Funereal Preparation

Kolyva/koliva/koliba – it has many names and spellings, is a part of the Eastern Orthodox funereal liturgy. I remember having it as a child and I have always loved it. Out of the five of us in my family, I think I am the only child who liked it so I always got seconds…

Mom taught me her recipe for it so that when the time came, it would be made for her funeral.

Ingredients:
2lb (1kg) wheat berries/kernels
2-3 cups (285-425gm) toasted sesame seeds, ground
1lb (435gm) icing/confectioner’s sugar
1 cup (100gm) slivered almonds, toasted
1 cup (100gm) walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
1 cup (160gm) golden raisins
1 cup (160gm) dark raisins
2 Tbsp (30ml) cinnamon
1 tsp (5ml) cloves
1 tsp (5ml) anise seeds, ground
1 tsp (5ml) salt
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1 pomegranate, peeled and seeds separated


For decoration:
Silver and white dragees are common and traditional
Jordan almonds, in white or silver
Nuts, such as whole blanched, slivered or natural almonds, walnut halves, pine nuts, pistachios etc
Spices, such as the cinnamon and cloves used to draw shapes etc
Raisins
Pomegranate seeds
Parsley

Traditionally, the white and silver decorations are used predominantly for the koliva made for funerals, whereas the ones made for the soul Saturdays or the memorials may have some colour.

Here are some links for more info on the history and legends behind koliva;

Wikipedia’s entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koliva

Orthodox Wiki:
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Kollyva

The Miracle of the Boiled Wheat:
http://the-urban-wilderness.blogspot....