
ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIVE-LOAF OFFERING (PETOLEBIE)
The Petolebie is a brief service of thanksgiving, through which we express our gratitude to God for all the blessings in our lives.
The oil, wine, wheat, and loaves used during the service represent the most basic elements essential for life.
This blessing reminds us of the miracle performed by our Lord Jesus Christ—the multiplication of the five loaves and two fish—through which He fed five thousand people in the wilderness near the Jordan.
The blessing is typically performed during festal evening services and other special occasions.
After the service, the loaves are shared among the faithful present. This blessed bread is believed to offer protection from all forms of evil when received with faith.
Traditionally, this service is performed on Friday evenings during the Akathist service in the first five weeks of Great Lent.