For everything from troubled hearts to lost keys, Greeks bake cakes for a wish-granting saint @APArchive
For everything from troubled hearts to lost keys, Greeks bake cakes for a wish-granting saint  @APArchive
Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
(27 Aug 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ilion, Greece - 26 August 2026
1. Aerial of faithful gathering outside church of St. Fanourios
2. Faithful arriving carrying cakes
3. Priest scoring crosses on cakes
4. Various of cakes being cut and shared
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Theodora Tongas, The Associated Press: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1++
"Every year for the feast of St. Fanourios Greek Orthodox faithful bring special cakes to church to be blessed and then shared. There’s a personal story behind each fanouropita, baked as an offering for St. Fanourios to reveal an item that’s been lost or something that’s desired. It could be a set of keys or a misplaced wallet. But frequently, it’s something much more personal."
6. Wide of Maria Chanioti in kitchen adding ingredients to bowl
7. Close of Chanioti’s hands adding ingredient to bowl
8. Close of Chanioti’s juicing an orange
9. Close of spices
10. Close of flour being poured into sieve, icon of saint and vigil candle in background
11. Wide of Chanioti sifting flour and mixing ingredients in bowl
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Theodora Tongas, The Associated Press: ++OVERLAID BY SHOTS 6 TO 11++
"Maria Chanioti has been making cakes for Saint Fanourios since she was young. She prepares them with fresh orange juice and spices, in front of an icon of St. Fanourios and a vigil candle."
13. Close of Chanioti
14. Various of Chanioti pouring batter into glass dish
15. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Maria Chanioti, worshipper: ++STARTS ON SHOT 11++
"It is giving thanks to the saint for everything he has given me up to this day, whether good or bad. But more than that, he reveals things to you, and so it is not just that. It is his presence in your life."
16. Chanioti removing baked cake from oven
17. Chanioti entering church with cake
18. Close of Chanioti making sign of cross
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Theodora Tongas, The Associated Press: ++OVERLAID BY SHOTS 16 TO 18++
"Once her cake is ready, Chanioti brings it to the church to be blessed."
20. Wide of Chanioti and Father Nikolaos Vlavianos during cake blessing
21. Close of St. Fanourios icon
22. SOUNDBITE (English) Theodora Tongas, The Associated Press: ++OVERLAID BY SHOTS 20 AND 21++
"Father Nikolaos Vlavianos says requests come in many forms."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ilion, Greece - 25 August 2026
23. Close of St. Fanourios icon and offerings
24. Close of cross and candle detail on icon of St. Fanourios
25. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Father Nikolaos Vlavianos, priest: ++STARTS ON SHOT 23++
"From health issues, lost objects, missing people, personal relationships, professional situations. Everyone has something to request of the saint."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ilion, Greece - 26 August 2026
26. Wide of priest during blessing of cakes
27. Mid of woman cutting and giving out cake
28. Wide of people taking their cakes after blessing
29. Close of cake being cut after blessing
30. SOUNDBITE (English) Theodora Tongas, The Associated Press: ++OVERLAID BY SHOTS 26 TO 29++
"Once the prayers are said, fanouropites are shared, turning a private wish into a communal act of faith, gratitude and hope."
31. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Eftychia Fragkouli, worshipper:
"May he give us health, protect us, and give us all good things for our family."
32. Close of icon and vigil candle
STORYLINE:
Thousands of pilgrims on Wednesday night gathered at the Church of St. Fanourios, 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of Athens, with baked offerings.

They were seeking solace for different forms of loss: misplaced keys, an estranged partner, courage still needed to face an ordeal, and more.





















Find out more about AP Archive: aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews


You can license this story through AP Archive: aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/6d6701b01419465998ba035edaf3e1a5
For everything from troubled hearts to lost keys, Greeks bake cakes for a wish-granting saintIndias president and PM lead ceremonial welcome ceremony for Philippines presidentAwards contenders walk the red carpet ahead of the Berlin Film Festival closing ceremonyWaltz, Nicki Minaj join faith leaders on rising violence against Christians in NigeriaFrancis Ford Coppola and cast leave after premiere of MegalopolisGERMANY: EGON KRENZ CONVICTED OF 4 COUNTS OF MANSLAUGHTEREx-CEO of Italian highway operator and 31 others convicted in deadly 2018 bridge collapseJennifer Lopez arrives at the Los Angeles Latino International Film FestivalJustice Department opens investigation into E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of assault: AP sourceFans remember Dolly Parton at Nashville muralClashes erupt in Argentina during pensioners protest against Mileis austerity measuresThey crossed the Darien Gap to reach the US. Now, boat-by-boat, migrants are returning
AP Archive |

For everything from troubled hearts to lost keys, Greeks bake cakes for a wish-granting saint

SHARE TO X SHARE TO REDDIT SHARE TO FACEBOOK WALLPAPER