Artoklasia

“The Breaking of the Loaves”

The Blessing of the Five Loaves is a short service of thanksgiving that is said during Vespers or at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on feast days. The service reminds of Christ feeding the five thousand in the wilderness with five loaves. The faithful offer the five loaves, along with a bottle of communion wine and a bottle of olive oil for the altar lamp, as a way to pray for the health and salvation of their family and friends, whom the priest commemorates by name during the service. Afterwards the bread is cut and distributed to all the congregation.

Please contact the Church Office if you would like to schedule an Artoklasia. You may bake your own loaves or, if you prefer, you may purchase them through the Church Office.