Rozune
Religious culinary tradition in Assyrian culture
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Rozune (Syriac: ܪܙܘܢܐ),[1] or Rozuno, is an annual religious tradition in the Syriac Orthodox Church that takes place every year on March 9th. The tradition commemorates the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste in a unique commemoration involving the baking of bread and hiding a coin to be found. The tradition continues to be commemorated across Assyrian communities of the SOC.
| Rozune ܪܙܘܢܐ | |
|---|---|
| Official name | ܪܙܘܢܐ |
| Observed by | Syriac Orthodox Church, Assyrian people |
| Type | Christian, Cultural |
| Date | 9 March |
| Frequency | Annual |
Origin
The tradition of Rozune commemorates the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, a group of Roman soldiers who were killed in 320 AD near the city of Sebaste (modern day Sivas, Turkey) for their Christian faith.[2][3] These soldiers, who refused to renounce their faith, were tortured and imprisoned, and sentenced by the Roman governor to perish in a freezing lake naked.[4] Although one of the 40 soldiers succumbed to a nearby bathouse, a pagan soldier decided to take their place by converting to Christianity on the spot. Eventually, the soldiers were burnt and their ashes recovered by Empress Pulcheria.[4]
In memory of their suffering and sacrifice, Rozune developed as a tradition in the Syriac Orthodox Church, with the hidden coin symbolizing the pagan soldier who converted.
Culture and celebrations
Some sources indicate that Rozune is rooted in ancient Mesopotamian traditions.[2] Rozune is commemorated by Assyrians annually during the middle of the Great Lent fast,[5][6] which itself lasts 40 days.[7] The tradition describes a piece of bread made of wheat dough or leavening agent in the shape of a star, with a coin hidden in one of the pieces. The bread is then served, and the person who finds the coin is considered lucky for the year.[6][3][2]
The bread is also served to animals and left in fields/vineyards to bring abundance.[3] Rozune is similar to other culinary traditions where coins are hidden in bread, such as King cake, Bulgarian Banitsa (Bulgarian: баница), the Greek Vasilopita (Greek: Βασιλόπιτα), and Irish Barmbrack (Irish: bairín breac).