Prayer of the Mother of God before the icon of Her “Spreader of the Loaves”
O Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, Merciful Lady, Queen of heaven and earth, every Christian home and family, Blesser of those who work, those in need of inexhaustible wealth, the orphans and widows, and the Nurse of all people! To our Nourisher, who gave birth to the Nourisher of the Universe and the Spreader of our breads, You, Lady, send Your Motherly blessing to our city, villages and fields, and to every house that has hope in You. Moreover, with reverent awe and a contrite heart, we humbly pray to Thee: be also a wise Housebuilder for us, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, who organizes our lives well. Keep every community, every home and family in piety and Orthodoxy, like-mindedness, obedience and contentment. Feed the poor and needy, support old age, educate babies, teach everyone to sincerely cry out to the Lord: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Save, Most Pure Mother, Your people from all need, illness, famine, destruction, hail, fire, from all evil conditions and all disorder. Grant peace and great mercy to our monastery, to the homes and families and to every Christian soul and to our entire country, so that we glorify Thee, our Most Gracious Nourisher and Nurse, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theological meaning
An icon is a pictorial glorification of God, therefore each image has a certain spiritual meaning. It is not for nothing that the Lord Himself loved to speak in parables, comparing people to vines and tree branches. Here Christians are shown as ears of corn in a field. Each of them must separate the chaff from his heart, cleanse himself for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, the Mother of God prays that each spikelet will be mature and bring a worthy harvest to the throne of God. The cloud on which St. sits. Mary is a symbol of abundance, a generous harvest. For people, she herself is the personification of everything that the human race needs, both in the material (water, bread) and in the spiritual sense. The Mother of God connects heaven with earth, helping sinners in their difficult task of obtaining their daily bread.
The icon “The Spreader of the Loaves” reminds us of the importance of spiritual food, which cannot be replaced by even the most exquisite food. The bread for the soul is Christ, His teaching, the divine Word written in the Gospel. Only by feeding the soul with this spiritual food can one come to the Lord, nothing else.
About the author About the book
Troparion
voice 3:
Most Pure Virgin Mary, Mother of the King of Heaven and Earth,/ you look kindly on those who love your Son, Christ our God,/ and those who labor in His eternal name for the sake of salvation,/ and give them all the or for pleasure./ To the disputant of the essence of the bread for them,/ delivering them all kinds of needs and oppression// and arranging for them, Your existing servants, deliverance from eternal torment and eternal life.
Kontakion, tone 6:
The representation of Christians is unashamed, / intercession to the Creator is immutable, / do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, / but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us, who faithfully call You; / hasten to prayer and labor come to supplication, // interceding ever, O Mother of God, who honor Thee .
Unusual image of the Mother of God
Icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves”
This image is amazing and unusual. Only a little more than one hundred and thirty years have passed since it was written, which is a very short period of time by the standards of such events. It was written with the blessing of the Optina Elder Ambrose, shortly before his blessed death.
Useful materials
The name comes from the ancient word “sporty” - fast, dexterous, skillful. Good work, they said, it's going well. It turns out that here the Most Holy Theotokos acts as our Controversy, Helper in obtaining the food necessary for life - both in the literal sense and figuratively: spiritual bread, the word of God.
In 1890, Mother Ilaria brought the elder an extraordinary image, most likely painted by the artist D. M. Bolotov, the monk Daniil. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that his brushes belong to the paintings in the refectory monastery; their stylistic features completely coincide with the manner of painting on the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves.”
In this icon, the Most Pure One sits on the clouds, blessing the compressed rye field, the sheaves and flowers on it with outstretched hands as if for an embrace.
St. Ambrose of Optina loved this icon very much, often said prayers in front of it, and commanded the sisters of the Shamordino monastery - his spiritual children-daughters - to venerate it. He blessed to make copies of the icon, print lithographic images, and distribute them to the laity, especially during crop failure.
So, the very next year after writing, in the summer of 1891, during the all-Russian crop failure and, as a result, famine, in the Shamordinsky monastery, as well as in the entire Kaluga province, there was good bread.
The following summer, drought befell the Voronezh province. A copy of the icon was sent to the Pyatnitskaya convent, and a prayer service was performed in front of it. Almost immediately afterwards the rains came, ending the drought.
Celebration of the “Spreader of the Loaves” of St. Ambrose set for October 15/28, loving us and taking care of our immediate needs.
History of the holy image
Elder Ambrose was known during his lifetime for the power of his prayer, wisdom and kindness. This attracted many pilgrims to him, especially the disadvantaged, offended by life. The monk showed special care for them, imitating the Virgin Mary. He founded several monastic communities for widows and orphans:
- Ioanno-Predtechenskaya in Kromy;
- in the name of the Akhtyrskaya icon in the Saratov region;
- Pyatnitskaya near Voronezh;
- Kazan Monastery in Shamordino.
Work as a courier at Yandex.Eda (up to 3,400 rubles per shift) leave a request →
The monastery in Shamordino became his last feat; it was created for those who wanted to lead a pious life, but could not afford to enter a monastery. The women's hermitage was located not far from Optina, so the elder put a lot of effort into its formation. During this last period of his earthly life, the Lord gave him a vision of the icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves.” The image was painted in a nunnery.
How did the saint come up with the idea of creating an icon? The old man was not in good health all his life, and towards the end of his life he was often sick. But this did not stop him from worrying about the fate of the sisters - he prayerfully asked the Mother of God that she herself would take leadership of the monastery. Then the idea for the image appeared.
The monk remembered the icon of “All Saints”, which he saw in the Tula Monastery of the Mother of God. He turned to his abbess, Mother Sophia, with a request to make a partial list and sign it “Different of the Loaves.” The icon was painted by her relative, who had the talent of a painter. The image was sent and placed in the barn to provide food for the monks. The same icon was made for the women's monastery. The image immediately found a response in the hearts of believers.
Already foreseeing his imminent death, Elder Ambrose firmly believed that the Queen of Heaven would take care of the holy monastery, and spoke about this to his loved ones. Indeed, by the beginning of the last century, the monastery began to flourish; about a thousand sisters who dedicated their lives to the Lord found shelter here.
Location, how to pray
Since the “Spreader of the Loaves” icon directly indicates daily food, it is quite possible to hang it in the kitchen or dining room. Every Christian should pray before eating, thanking the Lord; this task is fully answered by the plot of the image. The meal is an integral part of life; God blesses people with food and drink that support their earthly body. Therefore, even in the kitchen, the presence of a red corner is appropriate.
Placement is also allowed in the main home iconostasis. There are no strict requirements here; it is important that it stands out and helps the owners focus on prayers. Previously, the image was placed in storerooms and sheds, today there is no such need. Survival no longer depends on weather conditions; it is given less mystical meaning. This is certainly a good thing, but it also makes many people forget how short and fragile human life is.
It is important to remember gratitude and begin and end your prayer with it. In order to especially honor this particular image, one should read the akathist to the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves” - although it was created in our time. Everyone’s favorite Akathist to the Mother of God is also suitable, as is any prayer addressed to the Mother of God. Your personal requests should be made after the church prayers have been read. They are written in such a way that the believer receives spiritual benefit and learns to formulate thoughts correctly.
- Icon of the Mother of God “Sovereign”
- Don Icon of the Mother of God - more details here
- Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God -
Prayers near the “Different of the Loaves” icon do not necessarily have to be about the harvest or the material side of life. The Queen of Heaven cares about a person’s soul as well as about his bodily food. A person who has not cultivated the spiritual side will work poorly and carelessly. This is unacceptable for a Christian. The image teaches precisely that every part of life should be harmonious.
How does the holy image help?
Even during the life of the elder, miracles began to happen around the image. How did the “Different of Loaves” icon help people? There was a time of famine in Rus' at that time, but through the prayers of the saint, there was enough bread in the monasteries of the Kaluga diocese - the harvest was sufficient. There were so many grain reserves that there was enough left for the next turn, although there were more than a thousand inhabitants in the monasteries.
Another year there was a severe drought in the Voronezh land. People were in danger of starvation. They performed a prayer service near the list of the image, which was transmitted from Optina Hermitage. Heavy rain fell and the harvest was saved. There were even more people who wanted to have the blessed image.
In what cases does the “Different of Loaves” icon help?
- Blesses for work (not only physical or related to work in the field).
- Takes care of the fertility of the land.
- Saves from drought or too long rainfalls.
- Helps those who maintain subsidiary farms.
- Provides support in everyday worries.
- Helps overcome poverty.
Today's Optina Pustyn is decorated with a temple in honor of the icon “Control of the Loaves.” It was founded at the end of the last century. At the base there is a stone brought from Palestine. The small church seats 150 people; it perfectly complements the ancient architectural ensemble of the monastery. The building is located between the greenhouses and the mill. Monks read the Psalter and Akathist here all year round and serve the Liturgy.
The brethren claim that since the consecration of the temple there has not been a bad harvest in the monastery farm. They perceive this as a sign of God’s long-suffering, and they work with joy under the shadow of the Mother of God.
LiveInternetLiveInternet
Icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves” October 28, new style / October 15, old style
This name was given to the icon by the great Optina elder, Venerable Ambrose of Optina. In 1890, the abbess of the Bolkhov Monastery, Abbess Ilaria, sent the elder an icon of the Mother of God with a completely new letter: the Lady of the World is depicted sitting on the clouds, Her hands are raised in a blessing gesture. Below is a compressed field, on it, among flowers and grass, lie and stand sheaves of rye. By calling the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves,” the Monk Ambrose wanted to show that the Mother of God helps people not only in gaining spiritual salvation, but also in their earthly labors. The Monk Ambrose loved this image of the Mother of God very much and commanded his spiritual children, the nuns of the convent he founded in the village of Shamordino, Kaluga province, to pray before it, where he spent the last year of his life. In the year of his death, the elder ordered photographs from the icon and sent them to his spiritual children and admirers. Before his death, the Monk Ambrose said that he was leaving the monastery in the care of the Queen of Heaven, and set the day of celebration for the icon of the “Spreader of the Loaves” on October 15. On this very day, the deceased saint was interred. In the same year of 1891, a hungry year for all of Russia, through prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon “The Spreader of the Loaves” in the Shamordino fields and in the Kaluga region, a wonderful harvest was harvested.
The news of the miraculous icon began to spread throughout Russia. In 1892, a severe drought occurred in the Voronezh province. At the request of the nuns of the Pyatnitskaya women's community, a list (copy) of the icon of the Mother of God “Different of the Loaves,” written by the novice of St. Ambrose Ivan Fedorovich Cherepanov, was brought to the province. Soon, after a prayer service was served in front of the icon, it began to rain and the end of the drought came, the fields came to life and yielded a bountiful harvest. To this day, Orthodox peasants pray in front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Different of Loaves” for the gift of the harvest. In 1892, by decree of the Holy Synod, the original icon “The Spreader of the Loaves,” sent at one time to St. Ambrose of Optina, was removed from the Shamordino monastery. The fate of this image is unknown, although there are suggestions that it is located in the Lithuanian village of Mikhnevo near Vilnius. In the monastery itself, revived in 1990, a new copy of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Spreader of the Loaves” is venerated.
The icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves” was painted with the blessing of the Elder of Optina Hermitage, St. Ambrose, flaming with childlike faith towards the Mother of God. With the icon “Spreader of the Loaves” he blessed the Kazan Shamordino Convent of Women, which he founded 12 versts from the Optina Hermitage. In the icon, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on clouds. Her arms are open in blessing. Below is a compressed field, and on it, among herbs and flowers, are sheaves of rye. Elder Ambrose indicated with this celebration that the Most Holy Theotokos is “the Helper of people in their labors to earn their daily bread.” The elder distributed photographs of this icon and sent them to his spiritual children. To sing the akathist before the holy image, the elder composed a chorus: “Rejoice. O blessed one, the Lord is with you! Grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Thy grace and show Thy mercy!” Various miracles were repeatedly witnessed from this icon. They especially pray to her for the harvest during times of famine and for the end of the drought.
The icon of the Mother of God, called the “Spreader of the Loaves,” was painted with the blessing of the elder of the Vvedenskaya Optina Hermitage, Hieroschemamonk Ambrose (XI. 23, 1812 - X. 10, 1891). Father Ambrose, the great Russian ascetic of the 19th century, burned with childlike faith in the Mother of God. He especially honored all the feasts of the Mother of God and intensified his prayer on these days. With the icon “Spreader of the Loaves,” Father Ambrose blessed the Shamordino Convent, which he founded near the Optina Monastery in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. In this icon, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on clouds. Her arms are open in blessing. Below is a compressed field, and on it, among herbs and flowers, sheaves of rye stand and lie. Elder Ambrose himself indicated the day of the festival - October 15 and called the image “The Spreader of the Loaves,” indicating that the Most Holy Theotokos is “the Helper of people in their labors to obtain their daily bread.” Before his blessed death, Father Ambrose ordered many photographs from this icon and distributed and sent them to his spiritual children. To sing the akathist before the holy image, the elder composed a special refrain: “Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You! Grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Thy grace and show Thy mercy!” The day of the burial of Elder Ambrose in the Shamordino monastery fell precisely on October 15 - the day of the festival of the icon. The first miracle from the holy icon was witnessed in 1891, when there was famine throughout Russia due to crop failure, and bread was born in the Kaluga region and in the fields of the Shamordino monastery. In 1892, after the death of Elder Ambrose, his novice Ivan Fedorovich Cherepanov sent a copy of the icon to the Pyatnitskaya convent in the Voronezh region. There was a drought in that area and there was a threat of famine, but soon after a prayer service was served in front of the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves,” it began to rain and the drought stopped.
Father Ambrose decided to celebrate the icon “Spreader of the Loaves” on October 15 (28).
In 1890, the abbess of the Mother of God of All Saints Convent (Bolkhov), Abbess Ilaria, presented the Optina Elder Ambrose with an icon of a completely new composition. Tradition attributes it to the brush of Dmitry Mikhailovich Bolotov, a Russian painter and great-grandson of the famous 18th century scientist Andrei Timofeevich Bolotov. Dmitry Bolotov took monastic vows in 1866 with the name Daniil and remained in Optina Hermitage. The Lady of the world is depicted on the icon sitting on the clouds, Her hands are raised in a blessing movement, a compressed field stretches below, and on it, among flowers and grass, lie and stand sheaves of rye. The idea to write this field and the name of the image, as well as the interpretation of its deep meanings, belonged to Elder Ambrose. He gave the icon the name “Disputer of Bread,” indicating that the Mother of God is an assistant to people in their labors to gain their daily bread. To sing the akathist before the icon, the elder composed a special refrain for the general Akathist of the Theotokos - “Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with you, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of your grace and show your mercy.” The Monk Ambrose himself prayed before this icon, taught his spiritual daughters - the nuns of the Shamordino monastery he founded - to especially venerate it, ordered and sent copies of the miraculous image in large numbers to his lay admirers. One of the icons of the “Contestant of the Loaves” now stands in the iconostasis of the refectory church of the Shamordino Monastery. It is significant that the funeral of Elder Ambrose, who died on October 10 (23), 1891, took place precisely on the day of the celebration of the icon - October 15. “I leave the monastery to the Queen of Heaven,” Father Ambrose said before his death.
The year 1891 was a famine in Russia, the areas around the Kaluga diocese were affected by poor crops, but within the Kaluga and Shamordino fields there was no grain production. This was the first mercy that poured out from the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves.” Already after the death of the Elder, in the summer of 1892, the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves,” painted by the elder’s close novice from the nobility, Ivan Fedorovich Cherepanov, was sent to the young Pyatnitskaya women’s community of the Voronezh province. There was a drought and famine threatened. A prayer service was served in front of the “Disputant” icon. Soon it began to rain, after which the fields of the monastery and the surrounding area recovered. Currently, the miraculous icon is in Lithuania, where it was brought by Hieromonk Pontius, to whom, according to legend, Elder Ambrose appeared soon after 1917 and ordered him to take the icon for safekeeping. In 1890, the illustrious elder Ambrose from Optina Pustyn in the Kaluga province (AM Grenkov, 1812-1891, canonized in 1989) ordered his student Hieromonk Daniel (D. M. Bolotov, 1837-1907, famous academic painter) an icon of unconventional iconography. The icon was supposed to depict the vision that was revealed to Elder Ambrose in the nearby Shamordino monastery, which he established for destitute women. Contemplating from the high hill on which the Shamordino monastery is located, a picturesque valley with distant villages, Ambrose prayed to the Mother of God for protection and intercession. The Mother of God appeared to him, sitting on the clouds and blessing the grain field. The elder made a sketch of an icon, which was based on his favorite Shamordino landscape. The image of the Mother of God for the new image was borrowed from the icon of “All Saints”, located in the Mother of God of All Saints Monastery (1875) in the Oryol province. Ambrose wanted to create such an image of the Mother of God, through which she would provide her merciful help to all the disadvantaged and hungry, patronize farmers and give hope for the harvest, which was especially important in the hungry year for the Kaluga province of 1890.
The icon was brought to Optina Pustyn in the fall of 1890 by the abbess of the Bolkhov Monastery, Abbess Ilaria. Ambrose called the new image “The Spreader of Loaves” (an assistant to people in their labors and worries about their daily bread) and set the day of its celebration on October 15 - after the end of the harvest and harvest. He composed a special chorus to the Theotokos Akathist: “Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You! Grant also to us unworthy the dew of Thy grace and show Thy mercy!” In the prayer to the icon, the content of the new Mother of God image is fully revealed: “O Most Pure Virgin Mother of God... Our Nourisher, who gave birth to the Nourisher of the Universe and the Spreader of our bread... Feed the poor and the needy, support old age, raise babies...” The icon immediately received veneration not only in the Optina and Shamordino monasteries, but also in other monasteries and churches in Russia. Her images were carried by pilgrims to many cities and villages. Copies from the icon were sent to those places where there was a particularly great need. The icon from the Tretyakov Gallery is a reduced copy, executed at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. in a picturesque manner. Such lists, quite accurately repeating the famous image, were prepared in Optina Hermitage.
“The Spreader of the Loaves” This icon reflected in its very outline the deep, childlike faith in the Mother of God of the Optina Elder Ambrose, one of the great righteous people of the Russian people of the 19th century, who, like most Russian ascetics, was ardent with extreme zeal for the Queen of Heaven. Elder Ambrose did not miss a single feast of the Theotokos without holding a vigil in his cell in front of Her icon. In 1890, the abbess of the Volkhov convent, Abbess Ilaria, sent the great elder an icon of the Mother of God with a completely new painting. The Mistress of the world is depicted sitting on the clouds. Her hands are raised in a blessing motion. Below is a compressed field, and on it, among flowers and grass, lie and stand sheaves of rye. The image of the Mother of God on this icon was borrowed from the icon of “All Saints”, located in the Volkhov Convent, and the field with sheaves below was written according to the thoughts and instructions of Elder Ambrose. He gave this new icon the significant name “Contestant of the Bread,” thereby expressing that the Mother of God is the Helper of people in their labors to obtain their daily bread. The elder himself prayed in front of this icon; He also taught his spiritual daughters, the nuns of the Kazan Ambrosian women’s community he founded, to pray before her in the village of Shamordino, Kaluga province, where the elder spent the last year of his life and where he died. In this last year, the elder, ordering photographs from this icon, distributed and sent them to many of his lay admirers. Shortly before his death, the elder composed a special chorus to the general Akathist to the Theotokos to sing an akathist before this icon.
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon called “The Spreader of the Loaves”
Kontakion 1 Chosen from all generations of the Mother of God and Lady of Heaven and earth, who delivers us from all need, we offer thanksgiving singing. But You, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, accept our earnest prayer, save us from famine and destruction, grant fruitfulness to our land, Nourisher and Spoiler of our fields and breads, so that we always joyfully call to You: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us too, to the unworthy, the dew of Thy grace and show Thy mercy.
Ikos 1 The Creator of Angels chose You, the Lady, for the grace-filled salvation of people and gave You the Helper of people, delivering us from hunger and all kinds of misfortunes, arranging our life well in all peace and contentment. We also cry out to You with tenderness: Rejoice, grace-filled deliverance of people from all needs; Rejoice, help and intercession are at your disposal. Rejoice, you who save Christ-loving people from troubles; Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher. Rejoice, Intercessor of the orphans; Rejoice, robe of the naked. Rejoice, thou who hast brought forth for us the Fruit of the Belly; Rejoice, O Savior who gave birth to our souls. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 2 Having seen Your Son, Mother of God, Your great mercy towards people, he says to You: “Ask, My Mother, I will not turn away from You, but I will fulfill all Your requests.” We, who glorify this wondrous providence for the human race, cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2 The heavenly mind was given to the pious elder Ambrose, instruct him to build in the monastery he created an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and call it the “Spreader of the Loaves”, for You, Most Holy Virgin, save Your people from famine, grant fruitfulness to the earth, send early and late rain to our fields and fields, protecting Your people from deadly harm and destruction. We also cry out to You like this: Rejoice, O Virgin, praise to Christians; Rejoice, for you are blessed by all. Rejoice, for You bless and spoil our bread; Rejoice, for You are delivering us from famine. Rejoice, who feeds us with the bread of life; Rejoice, you who fed the Nourisher of the Universe with milk. Rejoice, acquisition of the Immortal Fruit; Rejoice, growing Gardener of our life. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 3 Strengthen us with the power from above, O Blessed Lady, in the days of famine and destruction, so that we may not perish violently without repentance in despondency and despair, but strengthen and instruct us in patience and pleasing to God, so that in adversity and sorrow we understand His holy, good and perfect, constantly praising God and crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3 Having great love for people redeemed by the Honorable Blood of Your Son and God, the Most Pure Mother of God, you received from Him the power to establish and cover the Christian race. You are an ambulance to the needy Helper, protection of hail and weight, villages and fields, and the whole world. To you, our Merciful and God-loving Mother, who organizes and governs our earthly life for salvation, we humbly say: Rejoice, Good Son of the Good Mother; Rejoice, unceasingly praying for the salvation and mercy of us sinners. Rejoice, O Christian Intercessor for the whole world; Rejoice, all blessings to the All-Blessed Giver. Rejoice, Nourisher of those captives and imprisoned prisoners; Rejoice, health to my body and salvation to my soul. Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise; Rejoice, for you prepare a haven for souls. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 4 A storm of contrary winds, when it suddenly comes upon us, thunder and lightning, hail and a lot of water rushes to the ground, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to help us helpless, protect and deliver us from the pouring of rain, which was created for our worthy sins, and may the fields and fields be unharmed by these, and may no storm of water drown us. For you, sinners, imams, unashamed intercessor, we place our trust in you and, glorifying the power of your prayers, we call the Savior of the world born of you: Alleluia.
Ikos 4 Hearing and seeing Your compassion, Lady, for the distressed and perishing people, we, sinners, run to You and pray: O Most Holy Virgin, hear us sinners, and in the days when the sun dries up the earth and there will be a heat from the dryness, and the vegetation of the earth will begin to wither, then, Lady, the dew of Thy grace is sent down on those who demand and ask for mercy, make glad the face of the earth, the poor for the sake of Thy people, babies, and livestock, and all others who hope to give them food for a good time, and from Thy holy icon “Worshippers” show Your mercy to those who cry out to You as follows: Rejoice, O prayerful one who never sleeps to Christ God, who bows His mercy to us; Rejoice, you avert God's punishment for our iniquities from our heads. Rejoice, protecting us from all misfortunes with Your maternal protection; Rejoice, saving our fields and fields from the burning of the sun. Rejoice, All-Merciful Hearer of the voices of our prayer services in sorrow and situation; Rejoice, you who save our homes from fire. Rejoice, O Majesty, our Helper in the days of difficult trials; Rejoice, quick deliverance from all troubles. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 5 The God-bearing star, Your icon, Mother of God, shines unwaveringly for people asking for their daily bread, for with the protection of Your mercy you protect our fields and fields and make them bear fruit, struggling faithfully to cry out to Christ our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5 Seeing Thee, Thy Son, standing at the Cross with his beloved disciple, he says to Thee: “Woman, behold Thy Son,” and to the disciple: “Behold Thy Mother!” - giving You birth to all who believe in Him. But we, your existing children, trusting in your protection, dare to say to you, as our Mother: Rejoice, supplication of the Righteous Judge; Rejoice, forgiveness of our sins. Rejoice, our famous Hope; Rejoice, our unshameable hope. Rejoice, solution to our sorrows; Rejoice, our sorrows have been quenched. Rejoice, thou who changest the flame of passions; Rejoice, joy of all kinds. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 6 The Church of Christ preaches Your miracles, Mother of God, from east to west Your name is praised, and there is no city or country where You have not performed the work of the Power of God, for the deliverance and salvation, enlightenment and healing of people named after Christ, especially through Your holy icons You are in the habit of working miracles, pouring out streams of mercy and generosity from them to humanity in need and in need of help. For this reason, we cry out in praise of Thee, Thy Son and our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6 Thou didst dawn from the True Sun, O Virgin Mary, enlightening the souls of all who are tormented by spiritual hunger, for the Lord said: “Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” But our eyes are darkened and our hearts are hardened, and we do not see with our eyes and do not understand with our hearts the destinies of God. Tormented by spiritual hunger, we resort to You, Most Pure Virgin, and ask the Word of Life to quench our spiritual hunger, crying out to You like this: Rejoice, you who lift us up from spiritual poverty; Rejoice, Who nourishes us with the Word of Life. Rejoice, Most Holy Table, Who bore the Bread of Life; Rejoice, food, receiver of manna. Rejoice, Good Earth, who grew the divine class; Rejoice, O field, who increases the abundance of generosity. Rejoice, you who gave water to the stone for those thirsty for life; Rejoice, you who bestow mercy upon us. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 7 You want to reap salvation, as if you were a sweet village, you appeared to the Lady, eating from the Worthless, imams, eternal and incorruptible food. We, earthly beings, pray to Thee, Most Pure Virgin, show Thy power in the harvest of our fields and cornfields, when their time comes, and may all grain abound to comfort us, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7 You have become wonderfully glorified, O Bogomati, in protecting Orthodox people. Those who rebel against God do not know how powerful the prayer of the Mother of God is. We, knowing Your all-powerful intercession, help and blessing, call to You with tenderness: Rejoice, you who crown farmers with pure hands and hearts with blessed fruits; Rejoice, sudden help for those in need amidst adversity and labor. Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans; Rejoice, Helper of all the helpless. Rejoice, Nurse of widows and orphans; Rejoice, you who give strength, food and joy to the sick and weakened. Rejoice, clothing of the naked of boldness; Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 8 As in ancient times you contributed to the descent to earth of the Savior of the world, and now, like a radiant sun, you rise over the ripening field, preceding the coming of the Master and the Harvesters. To this we also cry out in fear: Alleluia.
Ikos 8 We place all our hope in You, Mother of God, and in our sorrows we diligently flock to Your holy icon “Disputant”, hoping to receive from You gracious consolation and help in our impoverishment and poverty, we cry out to You: Rejoice, great treasure of mercy; Rejoice, food and consolation for those who resort to You. Rejoice, uneaten bread of the hungry; Rejoice, quick hearing of the poor. Rejoice, pleasant care for those who grieve from hunger and need; Rejoice, thou who drawest us to the Unapproachable Light. Rejoice, key of the Kingdom of Christ; Rejoice, Hope of eternal blessings. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant to us unworthy the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Holy Vvedenskaya Kozelskaya Optina Hermitage, stauropegial monastery Vvedensky Cathedral Built in 1750–1771 Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Built in 1811 Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God Built in 1998 Church of the Transfiguration Built in 2007 Church of St. Hilarion the Great Built in 1874 Church of John the Baptist Built in 1825 Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves”. Built in 2000 Mobile church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source” Built in 2006 Church of St. Mary of Egypt Church of St. Lev of Katansky and St. John of Rylsky Church of the Archangel Michael Church of All Saints Chapel at the burial site of the murdered Optina brethren: Hieromonk Vasily, monks Trophim and Ferapont Built in 2008 249723, Russia, Kaluga region, Kozelsk 48442 5-01-10 - office of the governor 5-01 -12 - housekeeper service 5-01-13 - accounting 2-24-32 - secretary of the governor 5-01-15 - watch/switchboard 5-01-17 - publishing department 5-01-39 - excursion service 8-920-870 -12-97 5-01-14 — supply service 5-01-66 — pilgrim’s house www.optina.ru
Kontakion 9 All people are amazed at the greatness of Your miracles, Most Holy Virgin, which You pour out from Your holy icons, as if You have granted to everyone according to everyone’s request, You have built our houses, You have sent blessings to the farmer and you have given people every kind of contentment. We also cry out to Your Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 9 The multi-prophecied Vitias cannot sing of Your miracles, O Lady of God, as you extend a helping hand to the whole end of the earth and send down fruitfulness to the faithful of the earth, the blessing of the air and every abundance of fruits and earthly blessings. We, in our humility, confess Your great intercession for us sinners and unceasing help in our needs, crying out to You: Rejoice, worthily praised by the Archangel and Angel; Rejoice, magnified by all the Heavenly Powers. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub; Rejoice, Most Glorious Seraphim without comparison. Rejoice, Lady of Heaven and earth; Rejoice, Mother of the Eternal King. Rejoice, faithful Servant of the Lord; Rejoice, blessed one in Heaven and on earth. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 10 Thou art a saving refuge in sorrows and misfortunes, O Mother of God, so ask Thy Son and our God for mercy to us sinners, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 10 Thou art a wall to those who praise Thy miracles, O Virgin Mother of God, and to all who come with faith and worship Thee and Thy icon, the “Different of the Breads,” called and saying: Rejoice, inexhaustible source of mercies and generosity; Rejoice, manifestation of Divine love; Rejoice, glorious miracles have been performed; Rejoice, you who labor and are burdened with sweet peace. Rejoice, thou who hast provided the patient sufferers with gifts of grace; Rejoice, consoling those who care for the temples of God with spiritual joy. Rejoice, our undoubted Hope; Rejoice, quiet and kind Haven. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 11 Do not despise our singing, O Most Holy Virgin, and do not shut the treasure of Your love from us; Extend Your generous hand of help to us, so that glorifying Your mercies and miracles, we sing to the Triune God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11 With the bright rays of Your miracles you enlighten the whole Christian world and intercede for the Orthodox people, redeemed by the blood of Your Son, also falling to Your holy image, on which we see You, Mother of God, in the air above our fields and fields, blessing the collected sheaves of bread, we pray to You, All-Merciful Lady, the human race, condemned to bear bread by the sweat of the brow, to give birth in sickness and to feed its children in sorrow, mercifully spare and intercede. Grant us health and prosperity, so that, nourished by You, we will grow from strength to strength and we will all be filled with joy and consolation from the generous right hand of Your love, calling to You: Rejoice, O infants of the Mammal; Rejoice, you who praise God through the lips of children. Rejoice, Dew of Nebotochnaya in the heat of labor; Rejoice, you who provide prosperity to those in need. Rejoice, you who prepare abundance for those who ask; Rejoice, you who anticipate many requests. Rejoice, consolation of the sad; Rejoice, joy for those who mourn. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 12, Mother of God, send down upon us gracious help, and when the sower goes out to sow, let the seeds not fall along the way or in the midst of thorns, or on the stones, but on good soil. Make them rise, so that the earth may produce fruit a hundredfold, and we all cry out to God with joyful hearts and grateful lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 12 Singing Your miracles and mercies, O Lady Theotokos, we all praise You, for You are truly our Helper, Intercessor, Nourisher and Steward, organizing our life for salvation. We also cry out to Ti: Rejoice, you who give us imperishable wealth; Rejoice, undying cruelty to those who hunger for truth. Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those thirsty for life; Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise. Rejoice, saving refuge for the faithful; Rejoice, Thou who covert the world with broad clouds. Rejoice, unreliable hope; Rejoice, salvation for the desperate. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 13 Oh, All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word! Having accepted our present offering, deliver the people who come running to You from all need, hunger of soul and body, deadly diseases and all evil and eternal torment, and with the faces of the angels we unceasingly sing to God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Troparion, tone 3 Most Pure Virgin Mary, Mother of the King of heaven and earth, look with compassion upon those who love Your Son, Christ our God, and those who labor in His eternal name for the sake of salvation, and give them everything abundantly for their enjoyment. The Controversy gave them bread, relieving them of all needs and oppression, and arranging for them, Thy existing servants, deliverance from eternal torment and eternal life.
Photos in the album “Bread Spreader” by Andrey Kondrashov
on Yandex.Photos
