Official feasts used to be an important part of the human community. People would gather together to remember something sacred, express their faith and hope for the future, and / or just be together formally, recognizing each other as being part of a shared community. Few things express a desire for shared companionship and social intimacy more than dining together. Sadly, the gathering together for feasting is increasingly a relic of the past – at least here in the West.
It need not be so! Today we will remember the ancient feasts.
THE FEAST DAY OF ST. Moses
This feast is a Christian religious celebration of St. Moses, Bishop of the Arabs.
Who is St. Moses?
Moses or Saint Moses spent many years in the 4th century as a hermit on the fringes of the Roman empire between Egypt and Syria, before becoming the first Arab bishop of the Arab people. As he was well respected for his piety, faith, and supposed performance of miracles, Mavia, an Arab warrior-queen, made his consecration as bishop over her people a condition of any truce with Rome.
Moses had no fixed see after his consecration as bishop, journeying instead with his nomadic flock, converting many of them, and keeping peace between the different tribes and the Roman imperial authorities.
It is not known when he was born, but for some time in the 4th century, Moses, like his ancient namesake, spent many years travelling and preaching in the wilderness in the border region between Egypt and Syria. His life of preaching attracted him a large following among eastern Miaphysites in general and Arabs in particular. This reputation was noted by Socrates of Constantinople, who describes him as "a Saracen by birth, who led a monastic life in the desert", who had become "exceedingly eminent for his piety, faith and miracles." Socrates' description of Moses comes by way of his retelling of the exploits of Queen Mavia, who promised to end her armed revolt against the Roman empire on the condition that Moses be "constituted bishop over her nation."
Valens, the Roman emperor, had no choice but to accept. Mavia's forces, originating in southern Syria, had defeated those of Rome's on multiple occasions, marching through Palestine and Phoenicia, to reaching the frontier with Egypt. Moses also refused to be ordained by the Arian patriarchal see at Alexandria, choosing to be consecrated by orthodox bishops living in exile instead. In some accounts, Moses is said to have been nabbed by Roman imperial troops to be taken to be ordained. It is for this reason that he is sometimes confused with Moses the Black, another saint of the region, who is thought to have died some sixty years after he did.
What do you eat for the Feast Day of St. Moses?
St. Moses travelled as a nomad between Syria and Egypt, so one Feast Day food option you might consider, when venerating this Saint, is called Sujuk Sandwiches which are local to Syria and the region.
Heavily and fragrantly spiced ground beef or lamb is pressed between pita pockets with briny pickles before cooking in the oven or in a sandwich press. Makes for a perfect, family-friendly lunch or snack. If making for young children reduce the amount of Aleppo pepper flakes and black pepper.
Serves: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 kg (2 lbs) ground beef or lamb
2 Tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on sandwiches
1 heaping Tbsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp minced garlic (from about 1 full head)
2 Tbsp ground cumin
2 Tbsp black pepper
2 Tbsp 7 spices
2 Tbsp Aleppo pepper flakes
2 Tbsp Aleppo pepper paste
2 Tbsp fenugreek
1 Tbsp ground coriander
1/2 Tbsp ground ginger
1/2 Tbsp ground cloves
3 tsp salt, plus more to taste
200 g (1/2 lb) Arabic pickles, sliced
2 packets of medium or small pita rounds
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F/180n C. Combine meat with vegetable oil and all the spices. Adjust salt by breaking off a small piece, cooking in a fry pan, and tasting. You'll taste a whole bunch of spices right off the bat. Don't let that fool you into thinking there's enough salt! Allow the meat to sit on your tongue and pay attention when swallowing to make sure the flavor lingers and is well-rounded. If you feel like the flavors are balanced, you're good to go.
- Cut the pita rounds into halves or quarters, depending on the size, and form an opening. Press a small amount of meat thinly and evenly inside the pocket. Cover the meat with some pickle slices.
- Brush the sandwiches generously with vegetable oil on both sides. Bake about 15 minutes on one side, flipping, and 10 minutes on the other, or until golden brown. Alternatively (and preferably), use a panini or sandwich press.
- Allow to cool slightly, and enjoy! Store sandwiches in the fridge in an air-tight container up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven.
When is the Feast Day of St. Moses celebrated?
St. Moses' Feast Day is celebrated on 7 February. If you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful day.
No comments:
Post a Comment