Kolyva

4 hours ago 3

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

2.8 (5)

Kolyva (or koliva) is simply a accepted crockery made of wheat berries that is shared arsenic portion of memorial services successful the Greek Orthodox church. It symbolizes everlasting beingness and is based connected a Bible verse, John 12:24, which reads: “…unless a atom of wheat falls to the crushed and dies, it remains conscionable a atom of wheat; but if it dies, it produces overmuch fruit."

You'll announcement that the fig of servings is high. That's due to the fact that the crockery is typically eaten successful tiny portions. It is presented connected a ample platter and decorated with the awesome of the cross; parishioners spot a spoonful successful a tiny insubstantial container to person aft the work to grant the representation of parishioners who person died.

This crockery takes 2 days to hole to soak, navigator and past drain and adust the wheat berries. They tin past beryllium refrigerated for up to 2 days earlier combining with the different ingredients.

Adapted from recipes courtesy of Victoria Lord and TheGreekVegan.com.

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 38 (makes 9 1/2 cups)

For the kolyva

1 lb (2 cups) dried wheat berries
One 3-inch cinnamon stick
1 cupful chopped walnuts, toasted (see NOTE)
1 cupful caller pomegranate seeds (arils; from 1 caller pomegranate)
1/2 cupful roasted sesame seeds
1/2 cupful aureate raisins
1/3 cupful shelled unsalted pistachios (may substitute conifer nuts oregon slivered almonds)
1/4 cupful chopped caller parsley
1 tablespoonful finely grated orangish zest
1/2 spoon salt

For assembly

2/3 cupful finely crushed graham crackers oregon paximadia (Greek biscotti; whitethorn substitute lightly toasted almond flour oregon chickpea flour)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Whole blanched almonds, Marcona almonds, Jordan almonds oregon yogurt-covered almonds
A fewer tiny sprigs curly parsley, stems trimmed (optional)

Nutritional Facts

Per serving

Calories
130
Fat
5 g
Carbohydrates
21 g
Sodium
45 mg
Protein
3 g
Fiber
3 g
Sugar
9 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from recipes courtesy of Victoria Lord and TheGreekVegan.com.

Tested by Kristen Hartke.

Published June 2, 2019

Updated March 16, 2026