What helps the icon “The Claimant of Bread”, recognized as miraculous

Miraculous Icon of the Bread Contester It wasn't an accident. It was commissioned by an old priest. But what caused the creation of a full-fledged icon from scratch? Can you do that? Why did the icon get such an intricate name? Let's work it out together.



Icon of the Bread Contester This icon was painted “by order” of the priest Ambrose Optina in 1890. The year was hungry and unharvesting, in every house. cry out for help. People asked God for help and some food. Elder Ambrose asked the artist to paint a picture of the Virgin and blessed this difficult task. So a completely new icon was created, without a centuries-old background.

According to the plan of Elder Ambrose, the Virgin was depicted over sheaves of wheat. It symbolizes their support and support. Moreover, the plot of the icon is displayed in its name. "Controversy" means improvement of the case and collaborating. The Most Holy Virgin on this icon not only blesses all workers, but also protects their crops.



By the way, the plot of the icon, as mentioned above, belonged to Elder Ambrose. But the artist took the image of the Mother of God from the icon “All Saints”. Ambrose Optinsky in 1889 asked to write a new icon, and a year later it was ready. Then the elder urged everyone to read prayers for a good harvest and divine aid before the new picture. In addition, the elder urged to celebrate the day of this icon on October 15.

According to legend, next year hunger receded In the city where there was a miraculous icon. The harvest was enough for people and for a rainy day. But in many other cities people continued to suffer without bread. Then the elder advised to make copies of the icon, send it to all churches and pray near it.



Ambrose Optinsky died in 1891 on October 15. Just on the day when he called for festive prayer and reverence of the “Contester of Bread”. Since then, the icon has been associated not only with harvestingBut with success in sowing, in trade, in the defense of fields. The old people asked the icon for the health and protection of their old age, and the young asked for good luck in all the upcoming affairs.



The Holy Mother of God, Most Merciful Lady, Queen of Earth and Heaven, we call upon you for help, help us and protect us. Give to the workers your blessing, Heavenly Mother, cover those in need with your care and warmth. Save them from hunger, crop failure, bad weather. Help them grow what they have given to the earth. Hear our prayers, Mother of God, we sincerely call on you and thank you.

“O wise Virgin, our life that fertilizes us, hear us. Support our families in piety, our children in health, and the elderly in mind. Our nurse, the Contester of our loaves, protect every field from black hail, from excessive rain, from sudden frost. We ask you, Mother of God, not to leave us hungry and thirsty. Drive away from us all evil, sickness, destructive fire and great water. We hope in you, Merciful Virgin, we praise you forever and ever.”



The Mighty Icon “The Contester of Bread” The image of the “bread contestant” in his time even tried. The priests did not like the fact that the icon was created according to the plan of Elder Ambrose. However, it became so popular that many believers wanted to have such a home. The icon began to be redrawn as possible, as well as to make lithographs.

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Attempt to ban the icon acquired completely polarity. The image became even more interested, dedicated poems, wrote in newspapers and magazines about such an unusual phenomenon. Since 1995, the day of veneration of the miraculous icon began to be mentioned in Orthodox calendars. Where is the first true icon of the “Contester of Bread” is now unknown. But thousands of people worship the Virgin, which is depicted above sheaves of wheat, and protects believers from hunger.