The Akathist to the Breadgiver is a prayer read before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, who is revered as the protector of bread and food. It helps to protect the family and home from hunger and poverty, and also asks for grace and mercy for all who turn to her.
Troparion, Tone 3
Most Holy Theotokos, Mother of the King of Heaven and earth, you graciously regard those who love your Son, our God, and those who toil in His name for eternal salvation, and you provide them with all things abundantly for their enjoyment, O Provider of bread to those who hunger, freeing them from all necessities and afflictions, and establishing for your servants eternal deliverance from suffering and eternal life.
Kondakion, Tone 2
O Provider of bread to us, you have appeared in the last times, O Most Holy Theotokos, Mother of God, guardian of the living field, free from weeds and heresies, and of the bread-bearing fields, providing aid to those who toil and to the evangelical workers, crowning them with an imperishable wreath; therefore, we thank you with Ambrose and we cry out to you: Rejoice, O Blessed One, the Lord is with you; grant us, unworthy as we are, the dew of your grace and reveal your mercy.
Kondakion 1
Chosen from all the tribes as the Mother of God and the Ruler of Heaven and earth, freeing us from all necessities, we offer you grateful hymns. You, O Most Merciful Lady, Mother of God, accept our fervent prayer, preserve us from famine and destruction, grant our land fertility, O Nourisher and Provider of our fields and bread, that, rejoicing, we may always cry out to you:
Rejoice, O Blessed One, the Lord is with you; grant us, unworthy as we are, the dew of your grace and reveal your mercy.
Ikon 1
The Creator chose you, O Ruler, for the blessed salvation of humanity and gave you to us as a Helper, freeing us from famine and all afflictions, establishing our life in all peace and satisfaction. Therefore, we cry out to you with humility:
Rejoice, O blessed deliverance from all necessities.
Rejoice, O Ruler, helper and intercessor for your possession.
Rejoice, O Savior of Christ-loving people from affliction.
Rejoice, O Nourisher of the hungry.
Rejoice, O Helper of the poor.
Rejoice, O Provider of clothing for the naked.
Rejoice, O One who has given us the Fruit of Life.
Rejoice, O Mother who has given birth to our Savior.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, the Lord is with you; grant us, unworthy as we are, the dew of your grace and reveal your mercy.
Kondakion 2
Seeing your Son, O Mother of God, your great mercy towards humanity, He says to you: “Ask, My Mother, for I will not turn you away, but I will fulfill all your requests.” We, who praise this wondrous providence for the human race, cry out to God:
All-hail
Oikos 2
Heavenly wisdom was granted unto the pious elder Ambrose, to instruct him to erect within the monastery founded by him, an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, and to style it “The Multier of Breads”; for Thou, O Most Holy Virgin, dostst save Thy people from hunger, grantest fruitfulness to the earth, sendest the early and late rains upon our fields and pastures, and protectest Thy people from deadly harm and destruction. Wherefore we cry unto Thee thus:
Rejoice, Virgin, praise of Christians.
Rejoice, for all parents rejoice in Thee.
Rejoice, for Thou bless multiply our breads.
Rejoice, for Thou deliverest us from famine.
Rejoice, nourishing us with the Bread of Life.
Rejoice, having fed the Nourisher of the Universe with milk.
Rejoice, attainment of the Immortal Fruit.
Rejoice, having begotten the Sower of our life.
Rejoice, O Gracious, the Lord is with Thee; grant also unto us, unworthy, the dew of Thy grace, and manifest Thy mercy.
Kontakion 3
Strengthen us by power above, O Gracious Lady, in days of famine and destruction, that we may not perish miserably without repentance in despondency and despair, but establish and instruct us in patience and well-pleasing God, that we may understand in tribulations and sorrows His holy, good, and perfect will, ceasing to praise God and crying out to Him:
Alleluia
Oikos 3
Having great love for the people redeemedems by the Honorable Blood of Thy Son and God, O Most Pure Theotokos, Thou didst receive from Him authority to ordain and cover the Christian race; for Thou artst a swift Helper to those in distress, a protection against hail and pestilence for villages and fields and the whole world. To Thee, our Merciful and God-loving Mother, who orderest and direct our earthly life unto salvation, we say with humility:
Rejoice, O Good Mother of the Good Son.
Rejoice, ceaselessly praying for the salvation and mercy of us sinners.
Rejoice, Intercessrix to God for the whole world of Christians.
Rejoice, All-Giver of all-good things.
Rejoice, Nourisher of the captive and those confined in prisons.
Rejoice, health of my body and salvation of my soul.
Rejoice, for Thou makest the paradise of food flourish.
Rejoice, for Thou preparest a refuge for souls.
Rejoice, O Gracious, the Lord is with Thee; grant also unto us, unworthy, the dew of Thy grace, and manifest Thy mercy.
Кондак 4
When a tempest of contrary winds suddenly finds us, with thunder and lightning, hail and abundant water pouring down upon the earth, then, O All-merciful Lady, hasten to our aid, helpless as we are, protect and deliver us from the inundation caused by our sins, for which we are deserving. May the fields and vineyards remain unharmed by these, and may the stormy waters not overwhelm us. For we, sinners, have Thee as our Patroness, unashamed, and upon Thee we place our hope, and, glorifying the power of Thy prayers, we call upon Thee, O Christ, the Saviour of the world, in Thy mercy:
Аллилуия
Икос 4
Heeding and beholding Thy compassion, O Lady, towards the afflicted and perishing people, we, sinners, flee to Thee and pray: O Most Holy Virgin, hear us, sinners, and in the days when the sun dries up the earth, and the heat of drought becomes intense, and the earth’s vegetation begins to wither, then, O Lady, send down upon those who are in need and who are praying for mercy the dew of Thy grace, and gladden the face of the earth, for the sake of Thy people, the poor, the infants, the cattle, and all others who are expecting to receive food in due time. And may Thy merciful intercession be revealed to those who are crying out to Thee in this manner:
Радуйся, Молитвеннице неусыпающая ко Христу Богу, на милость к нам Его преклоняющая.
Радуйся, кару Божию за беззакония наша от глав наших отводящая.
Радуйся, матерним покровом Твоим от всяких несчастий нас охраняющая.
Радуйся, поля и нивы наша от запаления солнечнаго спасающая.
Радуйся, Всемилостивая Услышательнице гласов наших молебных в скорби и обстоянии.
Радуйся, жилища наша от огня спасающая.
Радуйся, Державная Скоропомощнице наша во дни тяжких испытаний.
Радуйся, от всех бед быстрое избавление.
Радуйся, Благодатная, Господь с Тобою, подаждь и нам, недостойным, росу благодати Твоея и яви милосердие Твое.
Кондак 5
O Star of God, Thy icon shines forth to us, O Mother of God, to those who are praying for bread, and it is unmeasurable in its radiance, for it preserves our fields and vineyards under the shelter of Thy mercy and causes them to bear fruit. May the faithful, who cry out to Christ, the God, be strengthened in their struggle:
Аллилуия
Ikos 5
Beholding Your Son standing by Your side at the Cross, with His beloved disciple, He says to You: “Behold, your son!” and to the disciple: “Behold, your mother!” – thus, He makes You the Mother of all who believe in Him. We, Your children, who take refuge under Your protection, dare to say to You, as our Mother:
Rejoice, Judge of the righteous prayer.
Rejoice, forgiveness of our sins.
Rejoice, our known hope.
Rejoice, our unashamed reliance.
Rejoice, release from our sorrows.
Rejoice, consolation of our griefs.
Rejoice, transforming fire of passions.
Rejoice, joy of all generations.
Rejoice, Blessed One, the Lord with You, grant us, unworthy ones, the dew of Your grace and reveal Your mercy to us.
Kondak 6
The Church of Christ proclaims Your wonders, O Theotokos, for from east to west, Your name is hymned, and there is no city or country where Your deed of the power of God has not been accomplished, for the salvation and deliverance, enlightenment and healing of the Christ-bearers, especially through Your holy icons, You were accustomed to work miracles, pouring forth streams of mercy and compassion upon the afflicted and needy humanity. Therefore, we hymn You, saying:
Alleluia
Ikos 6
You have shone forth as the dawn from the True Sun, O Virgin Theotokos, enlightening the souls of all who are tormented by spiritual hunger, for the Lord says: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” But our eyes have been darkened, and our hearts have become hardened, and we do not see with our own eyes nor understand with our hearts the judgments of God. Tormented by spiritual hunger, we turn to You, O Immaculate Virgin, and ask You, through the Word of Life, to satisfy our spiritual hunger, saying:
Rejoice, one who raises us from spiritual poverty.
Rejoice, nourishing us with the Word of Life.
Rejoice, holy table, bearing the Bread of Life.
Rejoice, food, receiving the manna.
Rejoice, good earth, cultivating the divine grain.
Rejoice, field, producing a rich harvest of mercy.
Rejoice, stone, quenching the thirst of those seeking life.
Rejoice, one who gives us your bounty.
Rejoice, Blessed One, the Lord with You, grant us, unworthy ones, the dew of Your grace and reveal Your mercy to us.
Кондак 7
Although the harvest of salvation has appeared to Thee, O Mistress, as a sweet village, to those nourished by Thee we have eternal and incorruptible food. We, earthly creatures, beseech Thee, O Immaculate Maiden: show Thy power in the harvest of our fields and vineyards, when the time of their ripening comes, and may every blade of grass abound for our consolation, as we sing to God:
Аллилуия
Икос 7
Thou hast been wonderfully glorified, O God-bearer, in the protection of the Orthodox people. For those who rise up against God do not know how strong is the prayer of the Mother of God. We, who are well aware of Thy all-powerful intercession, help, and blessing, thus call to Thee with humility:
Радуйся, чистых руками и сердцем земледельцев благословенными плодами венчающая.
Радуйся, бедствующим среди напастей и трудов внезапное вспоможение.
Радуйся, безматерних сирот незримая Воспитательнице.
Радуйся, Помощнице всех безпомощных.
Радуйся, Кормительнице вдов и сирот.
Радуйся, подающая силу, пищу и отраду болящим и разслабленным.
Радуйся, одеждо нагих дерзновения.
Радуйся, многих согрешений прощение.
Радуйся, Благодатная, Господь с Тобою, подаждь и нам, недостойным, росу благодати Твоея и яви милосердие Твое.
Кондак 8
Just as Thou didst formerly assist in the Incarnation of the Saviour of the world, so now, as the radiant sun, Thou dost rise over the ripening harvest, preceding the coming of the Lord with the reapers. Therefore, we cry out to Thee with fear:
Аллилуия
Икос 8
We place all our hope in Thee, O Mother of God, and we hasten to Thy holy icon, the Intercessor, in our sorrows, and, hoping to receive from Thee consolation and help in our poverty and need, we cry out to Thee:
Радуйся, милости превеликия сокровище.
Радуйся, пище и утешение к Тебе прибегающих.
Радуйся, хлебе неснедаемый алчущих.
Радуйся, быстрое нищих услышание.
Радуйся, скорбящих от глада и нужды приятное попечение.
Радуйся, к Свету Неприступному нас извлачающая.
Радуйся, ключу Царствия Христова.
Радуйся, Надеждо благ вечных.
Радуйся, Благодатная, Господь с Тобою, подаждь и нам, недостойным, росу благодати Твоея и яви милосердие Твое.
Condak 9
Behold, all people marvel at the greatness of Your wonders, O Most Holy Theotokos, for You pour forth from Your sacred icons blessings upon all who ask, establishing our homes, sending forth blessings to farmers, and granting all men every kind of satisfaction. Therefore, we cry to Your Son:
Alluia
Icos 9
The multitude of Your wonders, O Mother of God, cannot be sung, for You stretch out Your hand of help to all the ends of the earth, and send forth to the faithful the fruit of the earth, the blessing of the air, and every kind of abundance of fruits and earthly blessings. We, in our humility, confess Your great intercession on our behalf, and Your constant help in our necessities, and cry to You:
Raduisya, worthy of praise from the Archangels and Angels.
Raduisya, glorified by all the Heavenly Powers.
Raduisya, most chaste Cherubim.
Raduisya, most glorious Seraphim.
Raduisya, Lady of Heaven and earth.
Raduisya, Mother of the Eternal King.
Raduisya, faithful Handmaiden of the Lord.
Raduisya, blessed on earth and in heaven.
Raduisya, Blessed One, the Lord is with You, grant us, unworthy ones, the dew of Your grace, and reveal Your mercy.
Condak 10
You are a saving refuge in troubles and afflictions, O Theotokos, therefore, ask Your Son and our God to grant us mercy, O sinners, singing:
Alluia
Icos 10
You are a wall of praise for those who sing Your wonders, O Theotokos, and to all who come to You with faith and veneration, and who call upon Your icon, “The Provider of Bread,” and say:
Raduisya, unfathomable fountain of mercies and kindness.
Raduisya, manifestation of divine love.
Raduisya, accomplishment of wondrous deeds.
Raduisya, sweet rest for the toiling and burdened.
Raduisya, gracious distributor of spiritual gifts to the suffering.
Raduisya, careful provider for the churches, filling them with spiritual joy.
Raduisya, our unshakeable hope.
Raduisya, peaceful and gentle haven.
Raduisya, Blessed One, the Lord is with You, grant us, unworthy ones, the dew of Your grace, and reveal Your mercy.
Condak 11
Do not despise our hymn, O Most Holy Virgin, and do not withhold from us the treasure of Your love. Stretch forth Your bountiful hand of assistance to us, that we, singing the mercies and wonders of Your Son, may hymn the Triune God:
Alluia
Icos 11
With the radiant beams of Your wonders, You enlighten the entire Christian world and intercede for the Orthodox people, redeemed by the Blood of Your Son. Therefore, approaching Your sacred icon, on which we behold You, O Theotokos, blessing the gathered harvests of our fields and pastures, we beseech You, O Most Merciful Lady:
Raduisya, Mladenets Mlekopitatselitsa.
Raduisya, Ustnami Detey Khvalu Bogovi Sovershaya.
Raduisya, Roso Nebototchaya v Znoi Trudov Sushchim.
Raduisya, Podavayushchaya Trebuyushchim Blagoustradstvo.
Raduisya, Ugotovlyayushchaya Proshayushchim Izobilie.
Raduisya, Mnogazhdy Prosheniya Predvarayushchaya.
Raduisya, Pechalnykh Utishchenie.
Raduisya, Skorbayushchim Veselie.
Raduisya, Blagodatnaya, Gospod s Toboiu, Podadi i nam, Nedostoynim, Rosu Blagodati Tvoei i Yavi Miloserdie Tvoe.
Condak 12
Grant us, O Mother of God, the blessed assistance, and when the sower goes out to sow, let the seed not fall by the way, or among thorns, or on a rock, but on good ground. Cause its growth, that the earth may bring forth fruit a hundredfold, and we all, with hearts full of joy, may give thanks to God:
Alluia
Icos 12
Singing Your wonders and mercies, O Lady Theotokos, we all praise You, for You are truly our Helper, Intercessor, Nourisher, and Builder of our lives, arranging them for salvation. Therefore, we cry out to You:
Raduisya, Bogatstvo Netlennoe nam Podavayushchaya.
Raduisya, Brashno Negiblyuschee Alchushchim Pravdy.
Raduisya, Pitie Neischerpayemoe Zhazhushchim Zhizn.
Raduisya, Yako Rai Pishchennyi Protsvetayeshi.
Raduisya, Vernym Spasitelnoe Pribyechishe.
Raduisya, Pokrove Mire Shiryshi Oblaka.
Raduisya, Nenadezhnykh Nadelya.
Raduisya, Otchayannykh Spasenie.
Raduisya, Blagodatnaya, Gospod s Toboiu, Podadi i nam, Nedostoynim, Rosu Blagodati Tvoei i Yavi Miloserdie Tvoe.
Kondak 13
O All-Pure Mother, who hast given birth to all the saints through the Most Holy Word! Accepting our present offering, deliver those who flee to Thee from all need, from the hunger of the soul and the body, from deadly diseases and from every evil and eternal suffering, that we may uninterruptedly sing to God with angelic voices:
Alleluia
(This kondak is read three times, followed by ikos 1 and kondak 1)
Molitva
O Most Holy Theotokos, Most Merciful Lady, Queen of Heaven and earth, Ruler of every household and Christian family, Benefactress of the toiling, inexhaustible treasure of those in need, sustainer of the poor and widows, and nourisher of all people, who hast given birth to the Nourisher of the universe and the Dispenser of our bread! Thou, O Lady, dost send forth Thy maternal blessing upon our city, upon our villages and fields, and upon every house, to those who have recourse to Thee. Therefore, with reverent trembling and a contrite heart, we humbly beseech Thee: be Thou also a wise House-builder for us, unworthy and sinful servants of Thine, establishing our life in good order; preserve every household and family in piety and orthodoxy, in unity, obedience, and contentment; nourish the poor and the needy, support the elderly, nourish the infants, and instruct all to cry out to the Lord with sincere zeal: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Preserve, O Most Pure Mother, Thy people from every need, disease, hunger, destruction, fire, and every evil circumstance and every disturbance. Obtain for our city (our village), for our homes and families, for every Christian soul, and for our entire country, peace and great mercy, that we may glorify Thee, our Most Merciful Nourisher and Sustainer, now and forever, and for all the ages. Amen.