Lazarus Saturday

As a girl growing up in a small, predominately Greek town, several times a year our church would get all the young girls together to go house to house singing the kalanta (carols). One of those times was on the Saturday of Lazarus. We would divide the neighborhoods amongst our groups then go door to door. When we all finished we would meet up for a pancake breakfast hosted by the church. It was always so much fun. Afterwards my mom (who was usually one of the drivers) took my sister and I to my grandmothers where they, along with my great-grandmother, would bake Lazarakia with us.Lazarakia are little breads that we would make to look like Lazarus. We would all sing the kalanta as we folded arms across his chest, cut two legs and put cloves in for eyes. When they were baking we would read the story of Lazarus from the Bible. They would always be sure to point out that the story didn't end there; he continued to live a life in Christ and even became a bishop!I do the same thing with my boys and godson now, except so far I'm the only one singing. We also color the icon of Christ raising Lazarus while they are baking. I tried finding some pics but the only one I found so far you can't see the actual Lazarakia very well. I'll keep looking though or I'll post some from tomorrow. In the meantime here's the recipe I use. It's basically the one I use for artoklasia.Lazarakia (Lazarus Breads)Ingredients4 1/2 t. dry yeast12-14 cups flour1 1/2 cups sugar3 t. salt2 1/2 - 3 cups lukewarm water1/2 cup vegetable oil1 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. aniseed or anise extract3/4 cup powdered sugaroptional:1 t. mahlepi1/2 t. mastichaDirections:Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water. Add sugar and salt and stir well. Add remaining water, oil, cinnamon and 6 cups flour and stir the mixture until creamy. Slowly add enough of the remaining flour to make a medium dough.Divide dough into as many loafs as desired. Roll longwise until it looks like a mini italian loaf. Then cut a slit in the bottom for legs. Next cut a slit on each side, roll slightly and fold over chest. Try to stick the two "arms" together so they don't stick up while backing. Then take loaf and squeeze top until you get a little head. Put cloves for eyes.Bake loaves at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes (time may vary depending on size)While baking boil aniseed and 1 cup water. When Lazarakia are finished brush top of loaves with this mixture and sprinkle with powdered sugar while still wet. This creates a type of glaze.Enjoy! Forgive me if the directions are not very clear, it'll make much more sense once you see the pics! I'll try to post some tomorrow!