The symbolism of Koliva

‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’.
‘So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body’
This symbolism finds its highest expression in the Saints, whose blessed state in heaven has been manifested to the world. For this reason, kolyva is blessed not only at memorials for the departed, but also in commemoration of Saints.

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‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’.
‘So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body’
This symbolism finds its highest expression in the Saints, whose blessed state in heaven has been manifested to the world. For this reason, kolyva is blessed not only at memorials for the departed, but also in commemoration of saints.

The photo shows a two monks from Vatopaidi making and decorating the koliva (boiled wheat which is used liturgically) for the feast of the St. Evdokimos. The colors are from natural ingredients such as cinnamon or flour and are edible.