Brookline monks make sweet bread

BROOKLINE, Mass. — A delicious scent is coming out of an unusual place in Brookline.

Monks in the Holy Transfiguration Monastery are busy baking a traditional recipe for sweet bread.

This is something they’ve usually only done for special services, but now, after many requests, they’re selling their bread to the public for the first time.

“People liked the stuff so much, they kept on saying, why don’t you sell it, why don’t you sell it?” said Father Seraphim.

For decades, the monks only made their sweet bread at Christmas and Easter, often giving extra loaves to friends, members of the community and people in need.

Now, anyone can enjoy a tradition from the old country, buying it online for next day delivery, according to Metropolitan Gregory, who is in charge of the monastery.

“This particular business actually fits in particularly well because it’s been part of our work for the longest while," Gregory said. "It’s very akin to monks baking bread. It’s something very traditional, and most of all, whatever comes in from this bread, a big portion of it will go to charity.”

Gregory said there has been a learning curve for figuring out how to advertise on Facebook and bring their kitchen up to speed.

“It’s live and learn," he said. "It’s day after day trying to learn this new trick of selling and so forth...but above all, we rely on prayers of Saints of Gods to help us, and whatever we lack in this matter, they will fill in.”

Customers, like John Maragos of Roslindale, think word is going to spread fast about the way this bread tastes.

“For me, it’s sweet, but not overwhelmingly sweet," Maragos said. "But the texture is very dense. It’s delicious.”

Gregory said the recipe is key and they don’t cut any corners. “We pack it with milk, eggs, special spices, and butter. It makes it very special when your heart is in it with the special ingredients,” he said.

In some ways, this venture is taking the monks out of their comfort zone, making them more visible as they make their deliveries throughout the area. Seraphim, however, thinks that might also have an upside too.

“As monks, we usually sort of stay put," he said. "We only go out for special reasons, and people see us walking around, and what are those people in the strange clothes, with the beards and long hair? So now they get to know us that this way.”

The bread is free of preservatives and costs $15 for each loaf.

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