AdvertisementA Holy Land Christmas Porridge Honors A Damsel In DistressDecember 17, 2014Daniella CheslowfacebookEmailIn Jerusalem, Syrian Orthodox Christian Nadia Ishaq prepares her burbara porridge with boiled what kernels, raisins, dried plums and dried apricots, topped with ground coconut in the shape of a cross. The holiday honors St. Barbara, an early convert to Christianity whose story is echoed in the Rapunzel tale. (Daniella Cheslow for NPR)