Miracle Yeast

Many housewives faithful to tradition, who still knead at home, continue to maintain a blessed custom that is at once a miracle. This is done twice a year. On the feast of the Ascension of the Holy Cross on September 14 and the third Sunday of the Lent, that is, the Cross. What is this?  It is the preparation of new yeast.

How is this done?
The housewives take a  branch of basil from the hands of the priest. Put some lukewarm water in a container. Then pour only flour and stir until it thickens and the blessed branch of the basil is put in the shape of a cross. Other housewives tend to boil the basil and use this lukewarm water in making the porridge. They wrap the container in a clean towel and leave it for a few hours. The miracle is that yeast is made without the addition of yeast enzyme, that is, by the action of the grace of the Holy Cross.

In the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi
Behind the shrine of the icon of the Annunciationthe there are two shelves located in the Katholikon of the monastery. Fathers who have the knack for kneading breads brought a container with the porridge and placed it on the bottom shelf. On the top shelf they place the basil with the honorable cross. They absolutely put nothing on the porridge. With the energy of the Holy Cross it is transformed into a yeast. How great and wonderful are Thy works  Oh Lord!