The Icon of the Mother of God, the “Multiplier of Wheat”

 

The Icon of the Mother of God, the “Multiplier of Wheat”, written with the blessing of Elder Ambrose of Optina in 1890 and belonged to the elder. Lithographed icon. End of the 19th century.

On this icon, the Mother of God is depicted sitting upon the clouds, and Her hands are extended in blessing. Beneath her is a compressed field, and on it amidst the grass and flowers stand and lay sheaves of rye. Elder Ambrose himself decreed the day of celebration, October 28/15, and called the icon “Multiplier of Wheat”, indicating by this, that the Most Holy Theotokos “is a Helper for people in their labors for the acquiring of their daily bread.

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