THE BLESSING OF THE LOAVES During the All-Night Vigil, the blessing of five loaves, wheat, wine, and oil is performed in the center of the church. These elements—placed upon a table in special vessels alongside a candlestand bearing three lit candles—are sanctified through the priest's prayer. The presiding priest (in the video—Fr. Andrey) reads the prayer of blessing, tracing the sign of the cross over the offerings with one of the loaves, as Christ did when He took five loaves, blessed them, a