Artos

 

In our Holy Church during Bright Week, the week following Pascha/Easter, you will notice that the Holy Doors in the Iconostasis are open and there is a table in front to the right of the opening on which there is a round loaf of bread. If you look closely you will note that on this bread is either the icon of the Resurrection of Our Lord or another symbol of Christ's victory over death, the Cross surmounted by a crown of thorns. This bread is called the Artos. "Artos" is a Greek word meaning bread made with yeast. It is blessed at the end of the Resurrection Matins and the faithful kiss it at the end of the Pascal Divine Liturgy. According to the oldest tradition, the Apostles, after the Ascension of Our Lord, placed bread on the Holy Table-Altar each time during the Divine Services, for the Divine Master. This they did for their Master, confessing or believing in His invisible presence among them. At the end of the services they took the bread and lifted it up with the words: "Glory be to You, O Christ, Our God, Glory be to You. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." The Apostles, after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, went to preach the Gospel throughout the world and, according to tradition, left a loaf of bread on the Altar in remembrance of His Glorious Resurrection.

 

It is interesting that at the blessing, the priest chants: ..."May we who offer it (this bread), and those who shall kiss it and shall take of it, may be partakers of Thy heavenly benediction; and by Thy might root out from us all sickness and infirmity, granting health to all. For Thou are the source of blessing, and the bestower of health..." The significance of the Artos is that it serves to remind all Christians of the events connected with the Resurrection of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. While still living on earth, the Lord called Himself the Bread of Life, saying: "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).
The Artos is put before us as a symbol of Jesus Christ the Bread of life Who nourishes us with the food of His divine mercies. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Shewbread mentioned in Exodus 25:30; Numbers 4:7; 1 Samuel 21:6; Nehemiah 10:33; Matthew 12:4; and Hebrews 9:2. However, it was unleavened and was to be eaten by the Old Testament priests only while the Artos is leavened, alive with yeast symbolizing life and is to be eaten by all believers who are alive in the Lord. It is a pious custom amongst our faithful to keep a piece of the Artos in their Icon Corner throughout the year and with faith to eat a piece of it when they are sick or under stress. Sometimes, a sip of Holy Water blessed on the Feast of Theophany is taken with it.