Prosforniks, also called add-on, on the throne, pattern etc., are bread stamps with Christian symbolism. They are placed on the prosphora (the bread for the liturgy). In these cases, they are called eucharistic, intended for the sacrament of eucharistia (communion). Another type of seals are the eulogic ones, which are used when making ritual breads - holiday and memorial breads.
From the period XV - XIX centuries there are many preserved church and house seals. A major role in their production and distribution is played by the large monastic centers - the Rila, Bachkovsky, Troyan and Atonian monasteries in Sveta Gora. Seals are distributed mainly in two ways: through monks, who, during their tours as taxidermists, offer the laity and various church objects, and through pilgrimages, during which they visit holy places for Christianity - Jerusalem and Athos. Brass seals were also brought from Jerusalem, which were expensive and were given as gifts only to the closest people.
Eucharistic seals necessarily depict "Lamb" - a quadrangular, centrally located field that symbolizes the crucifixion, the innocent sacrifice of Christ and the Old Testament sacrificial lamb (lamb). In the square field of the Lamb is written IC XC NI KA, which translated from Greek means Jesus Christ Conquers. It must also contain fields for the Holy Virgin, as well as a field with the nine ranks of angels. In the field for the Virgin, the stylized letters ΜΘ, translated from Greek, are placed Mother of God. The angelic orders are three hierarchies of three - higher, middle, lower, indicated by nine triangles in three rows of three. Sometimes the spear that pierced Jesus on the cross and the vinegar-soaked sponge given to him before he died are depicted. It is possible for the seal to have more than one Lamb, in which case the others serve to commemorate (commemorate) the living and the dead. The symbolic forms and images on the Eucharistic seals are strictly canonical and are not subject to artistic interpretations.
Unlike eucharistic seals, eulogical seals, including home seals, allow artistic interpretations of the images. They can depict saints, other Christian symbols and various zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, vegetal and geometric motifs, depending on the knowledge and skill of the carvers.
