Start preparation of Kollyva two days in advance and assemble the day of the memorial.

Ingredients:

4 cups (2pounds) shelled wheat
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
1 cup pine nuts
2 cups white raisins
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons coriander
2 teaspoons cumin
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups finely ground zwieback toast


Directions:

Optional: seeds of one pomegranate and 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Decoration: Whole blanched almonds without skins, white candied almonds, large silver dragees, white paper doilies
Distribution: Small plastic bags and spoons.
Cover wheat with 2 quarts of water and soak overnight.
Drain and rinse. cover with 4 quarts of water in a large heavy pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered several hours, keeping the wheat covered with water and stirring occasionally, until wheat becomes puffy and tender.
(Cooking time varies with time of soaking.)
Drain in a colander, rinse, and drain again.
Spread the wheat out on a smooth dish towel to dry overnight.
Prepare all other ingredients but do not assemble until the day of the memorial to prevent mush-like texture.
On the day of the memorial light a censer and kandili while making the kollyva.
Cover a large tray approximately 20" x 13" with wax paper and then paper doilies that extend over the edge about an inch and a half.
Combine al the ingredients except the powdered sugar, zwieback crumbs and decorations.
Put combined mixture on a tray and mold into a heaping mound toward the center, pressing it smooth.
Spread crumbs evenly over the top, making sure the wheat is thoroughly covered, and press down.
(This layer keeps the wheat mixture from bleeding through to the top layer of powdered sugar.)
Sift powdered sugar over the mound and press smooth with wax paper.
Make a cross in the center with large silver dragees. With blanched almonds from the initial of the first name of the deceased on the left side of the cross, and the initial of the last name on the right.
Decorate the edges as desired.
Take the Kollyva to church where it will be placed on a small table by the icon of Christ at the ikonostasion. If the table does not have candles, put one or three in the Kollyva to be lit during the memorial service.
After the service put about 1/4 cup of Kollyva in small plastic bags for distribution to parishioners, eat with spoon or fingers.
The ingredients have symbolic meaning: wheat for everlasting life, raisins for sweetness, pomegranate seeds for plenty, powdered sugar for the sweetness of heaven, and parsley for the green of the earth.