Natural elements on icons of the Mother of God
In the Akathist to the Protection of the Mother of God, Orthodox Christians address the Mother of God with the words “sanctification of all earthly and heavenly elements.” In Orthodoxy there are special iconographic images of the Mother of God that signify natural elements. For example, the element of fire is depicted in the “Burning Bush” icon. Water - “Life-Giving Source”. The element of fertility is reflected in the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves.” This symbolism should not be confused with the pagan deification of the elements.
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Spreader of the Loaves”
The “other” world is revealed in this world through symbols. Therefore, symbolic vision is a property of a person who is destined to exist in these two worlds. The Divine was revealed to one degree or another to people of all pre-Christian cultures. It is not surprising that the Church uses some of the “pagan” images that do not have their roots in paganism itself. These roots are in the depths of human consciousness, where even the most ardent atheists have a dormant thirst for knowledge of God. At the same time, the Church purifies and clarifies these symbols. It shows the truth behind them in the light of Revelation.
In this row you can put the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves,” which appeared in Russia at the end of the 19th century. On it, the Mother of God is depicted seated on clouds with outstretched arms for a blessing. Below Her one can see a grain field with sheaves and flowers.
“Although the life of the Mother of God is, as it were, covered with holy silence, the Lord of our Orthodox Church made it known that with Her love She embraces the whole world, and in the Holy Spirit sees all peoples on earth, and like Her Son, has pity and mercy on everyone” (Reverend Silouan Afonsky, 1866-1938).
Prayer before dinner
For the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord. Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen (bow).
The poor will eat and be satisfied, and they will praise the Lord and seek Him; their hearts will live forever and ever.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (bow).
And now and ever and forever and ever, amen (bow).
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless (bow).
For the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints, Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen (bow).
Then three bows with the publican’s prayer: “God, be merciful.” And then everything is as indicated in the prayers before dinner.
Icon “Spreader of the Loaves”: history of appearance
The idea of painting such an unusual image belonged to Elder Ambrose Optinsky (1812-1891). The icon was nicknamed “The Spreader of the Loaves.” What does such an unusual name mean? Let us turn to the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language by Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl (1801-1872). The word "argue" has meaning
“to help, promote, benefit, or improve, fertilize; strengthen, increase; bring happiness, good luck, go for future use.”
With this interpretation of the word, we can say that believers place their hope in receiving help from the Mother of God. And not only in the salvation of the soul, but also in earthly labors, for example, in agriculture.
There are two versions about the authorship of the image “Different of Loaves”.
According to some sources, the icon was painted in 1889 by the abbess of the Bolkhov Mother of God of All Saints Convent (Oryol region) Ilaria.
According to another Tradition, the image of the Mother of God was painted in 1890 by the Optina Pustyn monk Daniel (1837-1907). It is reliably known that the icon was especially revered by the Monk Ambrose of Optina. He bequeathed to his spiritual children, the nuns of the Shamorda monastery (Kaluga region), to pray before her. The Monk Ambrose gave many copies of the miraculous icon to the laity who turned to him for advice.
With his blessing, on October 15 (October 28, new style) in the Shamordino monastery, it was approved to perform a festive vigil in front of the icon “The Spreader of the Loaves.” Before the usual akathist to the Theotokos there was a reading of the refrain written by the elder:
“Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.”
Now in many churches you can find this image of the Mother of God. The prototype is supposedly located in the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Mikniškės (Latvia). There is a legend that Ambrose of Optina appeared to Hieromonk Pontius Rupyshev (1877-1939) in 1917. The monk gave instructions to take the icon to the Baltic states.
Prayer before eating
Gracious Father, in the name of Jesus I come before You, in Your presence, surrounded by this life, to ask You to hear my gratitude for this food. Father, please open my eyes so that I can see the greatness of Your love in all things. Moreover, I thank You for the Lord Jesus, for the Hope of the Kingdom, for this bread that man can eat and live forever. Great God, may the Kingdom draw near, please accept my humble words of gratitude in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Icon “Spreader of the Loaves”: what needs are addressed
In Orthodoxy, love for the Mother of God is reflected in the painting of numerous images of Her. As Saint Paisius Svyatogorets said (1924-1994):
“The Mother of God transfers all our requests to Christ, but She herself, through Her care and tenderness, fills our souls with love for Christ.”
Famous for its help in obtaining generous harvests, the “Bread Spreader” icon became widespread in Russia. What do Christian believers now pray for in front of this image? Orthodox Christians offer prayers to the Mother of God for help in getting rid of drought and famine. They ask to bless their earthly work and give them a good harvest. But the icon of the “Spreader of the Loaves” and the prayer before it are not amulets and amulets against misfortune. Help for believers is provided by the Lord himself through the intercession of His Mother.
“The Virgin Mother is the only border between created and uncreated (Divine) nature; and all who know God will recognize Her as the place of the inconceivable; and all who praise God will sing Her after God. She is the cause of those who came before Her (blessings and gifts to the human race) and the Representative of the present and the Intercessor of the eternal. The foundation of the prophets, the beginning of the apostles, the establishment of the martyrs, the foundation of the teachers. The glory of those who are on earth, the joy of those who are in heaven, the adornment of all creation. She is the beginning, and the source, and the root, prepared for us in heaven, of hope, which may we all receive through Her prayers for us, to the glory of Him who was born before the ages from the Father, and in the last times incarnate from Her - Jesus Christ, our Lord “To whom belongs all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages” (St. Gregory Palamas, 1296-1359).
How does turning to the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves” help?
The icon was painted literally a few years before the drought and famine of 1890–92 that occurred in Russia. It is believed that the Mother of God miraculously showed help and intercession to believers in the coming adversity. They still pray in front of the image:
- about the successful completion of the harvest;
- about granting favorable weather conditions during the harvest;
- about deliverance from hunger, crop failure, need;
- about success in any business and enterprise.
Prayer before the “Spreader of Bread” helps you find a job, cope with a difficult financial situation, and not need your daily bread. But you should not limit your requests only to everyday well-being. Without sincere faith and trust in the will of God, no undertaking will be successful.
Prayer of the Mother of God before the icon “Spreader of the Loaves”
Oh, Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, Merciful to the 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 all people, the Nourisher! 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.
Prayer before reading the Word
Perfect Father, through Your dear perfect Son, I have come before You, before the Holy of Holies, before heaven, to pray with earnestness for the return of Christ. Let me know You as You know me. Father, I dream of only one thing, to sit in Your temple, overshadowed by the beauty of Your character and Your ways. I thank You for giving this to me now as I sit before You, Lord. I am seeking the gift of a young man named Samuel who said, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” So, Father, please speak to me through Your Word, make it personal to me, open my eyes so that it becomes more to me than black letters printed on white paper. Show me the wonders of Your Word, show me the wonders of glory, God of Israel, give me the strength to receive the spirit of all this and bring it all into my life, Father, so that not only mentally I will rejoice in it. Father, please hear my prayer, my sincere request that I may be more deeply imbued with Your Spirit and know its perfection in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Introductory
Almighty Yahweh, God of Israel, I come before Your throne through the mediation of the Lord Jesus. In my mind I bow before Your glory, which in my understanding is reflected in the face of the Lord Jesus. Lean towards me and hear me, O God. Father, please open my eyes so that I can accept the greatness of Christ, see Your glory reflected in Him. Let me know You better, Father. Let this meeting be another step leading me to the knowledge of the mercy of Your beloved Son, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Open my eyes so that I can imagine more clearly and realistically the pain of His entire life and, moreover, His death, so that I can see the meaning of all this for my life. Father, let me be clear about this, let the spirit of all this permeate this difficult life. Please be with all dear children, as we are all united spiritually around the death of the lamb, the symbol of Your beloved Son, in the darkness of Egypt, the world of emptiness. Wherever they are, be with them, with each of them, spiritually and physically, connecting us with the Father through our common experience and understanding of the love of Christ. Open my eyes to Your Word as I read it now, Lord. Especially let me see the spirit of Christ there, realize my desperate need for the Father, yes, Lord, let me realize the desperation of my situation, my need for forgiveness and mercy through the Lord. Oh, Yahweh, please let the Lord come and not delay, so that I myself can see Him, see the King in all His glory. May He come while I live. Help me to trust in the Father, may I keep the covenant that we made at baptism. The same covenant that we made. Father, I am very grateful to You for miraculously allowing me to draw closer to You. I thank you in humble human words and thoughts for the fact that You have done so much for me, allowed me to come to You, created in me one of Your people. O Yahweh, God of my covenant, gracious to me and all His people, please accept what I am about to do and let it be a confirmation of my covenant with You. Bring me and all those who are bound to You by covenant closer to the Father. Help, Father, to come to an understanding of Your Name, to see Your mercy in Christ, to help me throughout the week to communicate with men and women in Your name. Help me to communicate spiritually with my brothers and sisters so that they respond with all their hearts to Your great love. Great Father, once again I turn to You with a request that You allow me to better, more deeply understand the greatness of Your love in the Lord. Let me truly know the love of Christ, deepen my human knowledge, let me see the length, breadth, depth and, above all, the height of the love of Christ. Father, give me the mind, the mind of Your Spirit, help me spend more time next week on Your word, think more about it every day, get up earlier in the morning so I have time to think about it more, let the beginning of my day be spiritual. Great God, You know my heart, my dreams, my way of thinking, you know that I am only dust of the earth, and nothing more. O God, what is man, that You think of him, and the son of man, that You have visited him? Who am I, Father, that You have come so close to me? Let me understand more deeply my weakness, Lord, and Your greatness, let me understand more deeply Your righteousness, let me see its wonders, as I see great mountains. May I sincerely and fully love Your righteousness, may I love the righteousness of Christ, may I see the beauty of Your beloved Son, may I share Your Love for Him, Father. Therefore, Lord, help me as I read and meditate on the Lord Jesus, help me to concentrate, concentrate, help me, Lord, to become stronger and stronger by Your grace, so that it will inspire me endlessly day after day, hour after hour in this lonely life, Lord. Hear my prayer, Father, be near me, Lord, I come before you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for bread
Almighty Father, I come to You through Your beloved Son for His sake, Father, please hear me, understand and accept gratitude for the gift of the Lord Jesus, which this bread symbolizes. I see more clearly than before that You loved me so much that You gave Your only beloved Son for me. When I call on my faith, Father, I try to imagine that, thanks to the Lord, this bread comes from heaven, from You. Father, I believe in him and that bread is a symbol. Father, I open my heart to Him and to You, come and live in me, come and eat with me, live in my heart. Father, in this tense moment, be with me, let Your life live in me. Lord, let me bring this tension into my daily life, the knowledge that if I eat from the body of Christ in my daily life, then I will have eternal life. Lord, if this bread becomes a part of me, then perhaps the spirit of Christ will become a part of me, may the way I live, my thoughts, my speech, even the tone of my voice, show that I am truly helped by the grace and gift of righteousness that You have given me in Christ. Father, help me, make me appreciate this more deeply, let this become the main thing for me, Yahweh, God of Truth, I feel Your love, I ask according to the desire of my heart: send Him quickly. Please, Father, hear me in heaven, in Your dwelling place in the Holy Name, Amen.
Prayer for wine
Father, God of mercy and mercy, for the sake of the Lord Jesus, my high priest, who is at Your right hand, I come to You asking Your mercy in one thing: to understand and accept my gratitude for the blood of Christ. Father, I thank You that bread and wine help me experience all this again. Cleanse me, Almighty God, with His blood. Give me the strength of mind, the strength of spirit, that I may experience joy and peace through the true faith that I pour out before Your perfect sight, clothed in the righteousness of Your matchless Son. Bring near, God Yahweh, the great day of final triumph when I will drink from this cup again with the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem, the city of the Great King. Bring him closer, Lord, hasten and in these remaining days may the wonderful connection with the blood of the Lord Jesus increase. Oh God, can I live the same life that He lived. Help me rise to the heights that He showed us by His example, great God, let me grow in faith, mercy and mercy that I saw here. Accept my gratitude for this, beloved Father, in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen.
