IN Orthodox tradition the icon becomes especially revered or even miraculous after certain supernatural events. But there is one image, the creation of which was preceded by a miraculous event. The icon itself represents not only a traditional face Mother of God and the Infant Christ, but reveals a whole iconographic composition.

"Irrigated fleece"

Among the numerous literary heritage of Metropolitan Dmitry of Rostov, according to Academician D. S. Likhachev, the last significant writer of Orthodox Eastern and Southern Europe, there is a description of the miracles that occurred from the icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The book is called “Irrigated Fleece” and tells about the extraordinary events that took place in the Elias Monastery in the city of Chernigov. Saint Dmitry talks about numerous miraculous healings that occurred while reading prayers before the icon of the Mother of God, which he himself witnessed.

Consistently describing 24 miracles, the author attaches to each of them two soul-helping words with instructive examples from the lives of saints. In the last chapter he describes an incident that happened to one sinner. The source of this information, the location of the events and the name of the person are unknown. The book was published in 1683 and is dedicated to the glorification of the locally revered icon of the Mother of God (though information about which one has also not been preserved).

Narration of the miracle as presented by Dmitry, Metropolitan of Rostov

The saint describes it this way. One person had the habit of praying every day before the image of the Mother of God with the words of the gospel of the Archangel Gabriel: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” After such a pious exercise, he went to do some nasty deed. One day, while praying, he saw blood flowing from the wounds on the Baby’s body. The vision plunged the unfortunate man into horror. In a frenzy, he turned to the Mother of God with the question: “Who committed this crime?”

The Mother of God replied that sinning people are like the ancient Jews who sentenced Christ to a painful death: “You and sinners like you crucify My Son.” The man began to beg for mercy and forgiveness, to which he was given the answer: “You call Me the Mother of Mercy, and at the same time you bring Me sorrow with your deeds.” The epiphany came to man that sinful actions have truly universal consequences. He began to beg the Mother of God for intercession before the Savior.

Only after the third petition did the Infant Christ agree to accept the petition of the Mother of God. Divine institution commands that the Son honor the Mother. And the One who established the Law must Himself fulfill it. For the sake of the prayer of the Mother of God, this man was absolved of his sins. The vision disappeared. The blood-splattered icon was also cleansed. The unexpected joy of forgiveness of sins transformed inner world person. Inspired by supernatural intervention and intercession, the sinner began a new life from that moment on.

Unique iconographic version

A sudden inner insight and the subsequent repentance and correction of a sinful person were the reason why the icon “ Unexpected Joy" The meaning of the new image was so close to believers that by the end of the 18th century, almost every church had a list of this icon. It is unknown who was the author of the pictorial image of the miracle. The Mother of God herself is called Joy, which is why the word in the title is written with a capital letter.

The icon “Unexpected Joy” is a unique phenomenon in the church fine arts. The image is a dynamically developing plot. The image shows an icon of the Virgin Mary in an icon case. As a rule, one of the three most common types is used - “Hodegetria,” which translated from Greek means “showing the path to the salvation of the soul.” It is depicted as an icon within an icon, and the action takes place in the temple.

In the lower part of the floor case with the image of the Virgin Mary, icon painters place the initial phrases of the story of the miracle, taken from the book “Irrigated Fleece,” or the words of the Archangel’s Gospel, or an excerpt of the prayer before the icon “Unexpected Joy.” Sometimes the story of a sinner's salvation summary placed at the bottom of the composition.

An integral part of the plot is the figure of a man kneeling in front of the holy image. His repentant appearance is addressed to the Virgin and Child. On the icon, in the form of a narrow stripe, are written the words of the man’s speech to the Mother of God and Her response. The Infant Christ is depicted with open bleeding wounds and ulcers on his body, which appeared later on Him during His crucifixion

The unique feature of the icon is precisely that the image to which the man calls is turned directly to the sinner. This is how the “Unexpected Joy” icon differs from the canonical image of Hodegetria, in which the Mother of God bends over the Infant God. Like artistic technique allowed us to display the essence of the miracle - the appeal of the Mother of God and the Son of God to a praying person.

The miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” in the Church of the Prophet Elijah

On the outskirts of the capital in Ostrozhye, more than three hundred years ago, on the site of a dilapidated wooden temple in honor of the goodness of Elijah, a new stone one was erected. Today this parish church is known as the Church of Elijah the Ordinary. Many pilgrims flock here because perhaps the most revered icon in Russia, “Unexpected Joy,” is located here. History has not preserved information about who and when the miraculous image was painted.

Initially, the icon was kept in the church of St. Tsars Constantine and Helena, near the southern wall of the Kremlin in the lower garden. IN late XIX century, the famous Moscow preacher and spiritual writer Archpriest Valentin Amfitheatrov served here. Father Valentin regularly read akathists in front of the icon. Prayer services attracted a large number of believing townspeople. After the destruction of the Church of Constantine and Helena in 1928, the image was transported to Sokolniki to the Church of the Resurrection, which had a chapel “Unexpected Joy”. Only at the end of the war did the icon take its current place of honor in the St. Elias Church.

The holy image is decorated with a silver frame and many lamps. The decorations left by grateful believers testify to the numerous miracles performed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. The significance of this shrine is truly all-Russian. There is an inscription on the frame stating that in 1959, with the blessing His Holiness Patriarch Alexius I had a chasuble installed on the icon. Patriarch Pimen, who humbly considered himself a parishioner of this temple, loved to pray in front of this image. The church itself in Soviet time never closed, and services did not stop there. Many shrines from destroyed and closed churches and monasteries in Moscow were preserved here.

One of the treasures of the great spiritual heritage of our pious ancestors is the “Unexpected Joy” icon. A photo of this miraculous image, reverently revered by many Orthodox believers, is presented below.

Temple in Maryina Roshcha

To the north of the Garden Ring, on Sheremetyevskaya Street, there is a temple of the “Unexpected Joy” icon built in the first decade of the last century. The magnificent church was erected with donations from parishioners of the Maryina Roshcha settlement. A plot of land for such a charitable cause was provided by Count A.D. Sheremetyev himself. IN new church was transported written in the middle XIX century miraculous image “Unexpected Joy”. The icon, which also contains a particle of the relics of the martyr Tryphon, is highly revered among Moscow believers and pilgrims. Parishioners record miracles occurring in the church from this icon. One of the most striking happened in 2003, when an elderly Jew wanted to be baptized.

Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”

In the Orthodox liturgical tradition there is special shape chants called akathist. For the first time such a work was created in the 7th century in Byzantium. Akathist translated from Greek means “non-seated singing” (that is, one in which you cannot sit down, and you need to listen very carefully). In Hellenic liturgical practice, only the original chant is called an akathist.

In the Russian Church this form became widespread at the end of the 19th century. By 1901, the censors of the Synodal Commission had approved about one hundred and sixty similar works for publication and subsequent use. By this time, the akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy” was also written. Like most creations of its era, the hymn of praise in a solemn form retells the events described by Dmitry Rostovsky.

In church use, akathists are read at the end of Vespers, instead of kathismas at Matins, and most often at a prayer service after the Liturgy or at the request of parishioners. Reading the akathist, both at public worship and individually, helps to strengthen prayer appeal, gather thoughts and clearly form an internal spiritual structure.

Why do Christians pray to different icons?

The Christian faith testifies that the Most Holy Theotokos is the greatest Saint. Prayers for the people of the Most Pure Virgin, or rather, intercessions for them before God, are the most effective. Believers, in their appeals to the Mother of God, ask Her not only to help or hear, but also to save. But only Christ God can save. There is no contradiction or distortion of dogma in this. When Christians call on the Mother of God to save, they believe in Her extraordinary spiritual power.

In this regard, icons become especially important for prayer practice. Icon, translated from Greek, means an image, not the very essence of an object, but its appearance. By paying honor to them, believers thereby express prayerful reverence for the person whose face is present on the shrine.

Each icon of the Mother of God is associated with one or more supernatural events. Believers in the life stories of saints and the Mother of God find examples of miraculous deliverance from disasters, illnesses, and resolution of problems. Church prayers and images only help to correctly formulate and express your spiritual needs. Likewise, the prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon has its own characteristics. But we'll talk about this a little lower.

An icon is a kind of window into another dimension. Holy images can be compared to a spiritual crutch for fragile and wavering souls. This support helps to detach from everyday vanity and create a prayerful mood.

Who does the miraculous icon help?

Many people mistakenly believe that miraculous icons are a kind of accumulators of grace that can be used if the need arises. That is, if you get to a particularly revered image, then mandatory a miracle will happen and everything you wish will come true. Believers testify that the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps to find lost hope.

Grace does not come from a board covered with paints; help does not come from an image, but through an image. You can venerate an icon for years, light dozens of candles, travel hundreds of kilometers, and still not have faith in the effectiveness of the power of God’s grace. Or you can worship the shrine once, without expecting any miracle, and receive not what you want, but what you need.

The other extreme is excessive arrogance or impudence. Some believe that if you diligently fulfill all the external instructions of the church charter, then a gift will automatically be sent down from above. The Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is not a kind of amulet that is guaranteed to provide well-being or invisible protection. This is a symbol of grace-filled help, capable of providing this very help.

What should you pray for in front of the icon?

What petitions should be addressed to the Mother of God in front of this icon is stated in the canonical prayer. The liturgical text says that the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, or rather, a prayerful appeal through it to the Most Pure Virgin, will help get rid of many diseases, primarily those associated with hearing. This refers not so much to a person’s physiological ability as to the ability to hear one’s neighbor, and most importantly, to be spiritually receptive to the moral calls of the Lord and His saints.

Over more than two hundred years of history of veneration of the shrine, a tradition has developed of praying in front of this image during a long separation of spouses and loss of contact with relatives. The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” is especially effective in extremely difficult life adversities, in salvation from unfair accusations, in hopeless circumstances.

Relatives and friends who are on the road and in difficult conditions need spiritual help and protection from dangers and various vicissitudes of fate. And also a speedy and safe return. Sometimes we ourselves cannot imagine what troubles await us. It is in overcoming such obstacles that prayer in front of the icon helps. Unexpected joy - one that we no longer expected, did not hope for, did not expect - but it illuminated us.

The birth of a child is a sudden joy for many. There are many testimonies when, after prayers in front of the icon “Unexpected Joy,” children were born to desperate and hopeless spouses.

Days of celebration

People turn to the Mother of God with prayers when despair and sorrow have overwhelmed the soul, when there is no hope for other help. Healing and peace of mind are bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What should you pray for before her? What to ask the Most Holy Theotokos?

They pray for health and healing in front of the image. They ask for intercession in everyday matters. Desperate spouses pray for the birth of a child or pregnancy. The proud, mired in lawless deeds, ask for forgiveness. They ask about missing relatives, and pray to the Mother of God for family reunification. They ask for protection from evil people and slander. The poor receive help, and the perjurers receive public reproof.

Sudden, joyful deliverance from troubles is granted to people. That's why miraculous icon“Unexpected joy” is so revered by the people.

History of writing the icon

In 1683, Saint Dmitry of Rostov wrote the most amazing book in patristic literature. It was created under the impression of the miraculous healings that took place in the St. Elias Monastery in the city of Chernigov. And they were performed in front of the icon of the Mother of God in the 17th century. Before each new healing, tears appeared on the face of the icon.

The temple stood for a whole century. It was not destroyed during Soviet times either. Only in 1933 were all the bells dropped. This temple became a repository for icons and relics of those churches that were not spared by the Soviet regime. Those that were destroyed or converted into secular institutions. This is how the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” appeared in the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The image and the entire composition of the icon exactly correspond to the work of Dmitry Rostovsky.

Days of celebration of the miraculous icon

The celebration of the icon takes place twice a year. This occurs on May 14 and December 22. In all your sorrows, you can ask for help and protection before the image. The icon “Unexpected Joy” is famous for its holy intercession before God. What should we pray for before her?

You can ask for protection from troubles and misfortunes, intercession for travelers on the road. Pray for health or cure from illness. In hardships, you can ask an image for salvation from slander.

With the appearance of the first icons created in the 18th century, the fame of their miraculous power. The most different healings sick and infirm. Prayers in front of the icon helped desperate spouses in giving birth to a long-awaited child. Those who had strayed from the righteous path asked for a return to spiritual wisdom.

The most important healing is the healing of the human soul, which is bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What does she help with? Finding peace and self-confidence. Those suffering in prayer before the icon receive a deep spiritual change. They gain hope and the ability to sincerely thank for help.

In which churches can you find the “Unexpected Joy” icon?

One of the shrines of Moscow is the “Unexpected Joy” icon. It is located in the Temple of Elijah the Prophet. Several copies were made from this image, which are also considered miraculous. Every day people come to the temple wanting to receive forgiveness and God's grace. They try to express their worries and doubts in words and prayers.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon gives peace and hope. What does it help with? Before the image, through prayers, admonition and humility, intercession and assistance are given. In front of the icon you can ask for help in earthly, spiritual, and family matters.

The miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” can be found in several

1. In the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane.
2. In the Church of the Transfiguration on Sands.
3. In the Church of the Icon “Unexpected Joy” in Maryina Roshcha.
4. In the Church of the Martyrs Adrian and Natalia in Babushkino.
5. In the Church of the Ascension of the Lord on the Pea Field.

How to pray to the “Unexpected Joy” icon?

There are no exact rules on how to pray to this or that image. You should ask for a blessing from the priest before turning to the face. For every event, requests exist special prayers, canons. You can read the Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”.

The clergy claim that if the text of the prayer is difficult to remember, then it is permissible to pronounce one’s own words. The main thing is that they come from a pure heart. It is important to tell the image about your troubles and sorrows, and not to be distracted by other matters during prayer.

Conversion must take place with humility and love. Then the icon “Unexpected Joy” will give you consolation and hope. Its meaning is great in the hearts of believers. The icon brings admonition to sinners whose anger, hatred, and thirst for profit outweigh all spiritual values. The weak are given strength and confidence in overcoming obstacles. Strong - humility, patience, protection from harmful endeavors.

What does an icon give?

The loss of morality and spirituality manifests itself on the physical level. Malice, envy, hatred, having settled in the human heart, bring with them diseases and illnesses. People in their blindness do not understand that spiritual cleansing is directly related to physical healing.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon gives inner joy and peace. How does it help believers? Find the true path, your purpose in life. Find unexpected joy that was not expected. IN different times women prayed for husbands who were missing in action during travel or war. And they returned home.

It is necessary to tell the image what the soul is sad about. And then the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” will help. Prayer for pregnancy before the image has more than once helped to acquire a long-awaited child. Our Lady consoled parents whose children had followed a sinful path.

The icon brings a happy occasion, even if there is no hope for joy. Even misfortune can turn into success - that’s where the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps. will help you get pregnant or find a child who needs parental warmth and affection. It also happens: in despair, the couple takes the baby from the shelter, and after some time it turns out that pregnancy has occurred. The important thing here is not to abandon your first child, but to love, educate and raise him as your own.

Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”

Each icon has its own Akathist. This Greek word means a hymn that is sung while standing. Akathist - laudatory, joyful words that convey the full power of gratitude. It consists of several prayers, they must be read while standing. You should know that the akathist is not served during Lent.

It can be read every Sunday in front of the icon. In some cases, the Akathist is pronounced for several days in a row. Before reading, be sure to contact the priest with a request to bless him. The priest will tell you how many days and at what time the Akathist should be read.

The words of prayer are said directly in front of the icon. Akathist is one of the strongest prayer appeals. This is a request for help in business and sorrow, where the icon “Unexpected Joy” serves as the image of the Mother of God. How does she help those suffering? With troubles and grief that are beyond our power human soul, come to the icon. People turn to the image of the Mother of God with requests for health, mercy, and forgiveness. The “Unexpected Joy” icon will protect you from many misfortunes.

Prayer for health

Prayers for health sometimes provide healing from the most incurable diseases. There are facts according to which the icon “Unexpected Joy” gave relief from deafness. Prayer for the birth of a child will bring a long-awaited child. The icon of a young mother will provide a successful resolution of the burden.

The image saves you from mental illnesses - it will support you in despondency and melancholy, anxiety and despair. Will help in a painless death in case of a serious illness. He will send you courage and protect you from death without repentance.

Strengthening in faith, hope for mercy of the podastikon “Unexpected joy”. Prayer for the gift of children will help bring home an orphan in need of love and care, or bring news of a long-awaited pregnancy.

Prayer for family

Prayer for the family provides family reunification, protection from hostility, violence, and conflicts. Peace and harmony in the family is bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What to pray for? About what worries you the most. About what occupies all thoughts.

Help is provided to needy families through prayer. Comfort for grieving mothers and widows. For concerned parents, instructing their children on the righteous path. Through prayer for the missing, happy news is given.

The return of relatives from a war zone or from dangerous journeys can be given by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. will bring hope for love, happiness in marriage. The Most Holy Theotokos will protect from evil and bad people, will save the family. It will help prevent divorce and bring some sense to relatives.

Prayer for children

Through prayers to the Mother of God in front of her icon, solutions are given in difficult situations. admonition is given to children and parents in difficult relationship. The icon “Unexpected Joy” brings reconciliation in quarrels and forgiveness of grievances. Prayer to get pregnant will give hope or happy news of conception.

The Most Holy Theotokos will protect children from harmful thoughts, enemies, dangerous situations. Will give parents mutual understanding with their children. It will help guide you on the path of beneficial teaching and gaining knowledge. It will build mutual respect between parents and children. Provides support and protection to children who are away from their parents (in training, military service, treatment, travel).

The “Unexpected Joy” icon can provide assistance to poor parents for their child’s development. Prayer for pregnancy will bring news of its occurrence. Will give life to the fetus and healthy development. Only faith and humility will help you find out about the long-awaited pregnancy. If it does not occur immediately after prayer, this means that the time has not yet come, the parents are not ready for the birth of a child.

Hope daritikon “Unexpected joy”. Prayer for children, reviews of it say that patience and faith in the will of the Lord will help you get through difficult moments. They will set you up for a successful outcome of the case and help you in the fight against despair and disbelief. There are known facts when childless couples gave birth to a child after praying in front of the icon.

Prayer for earthly affairs

People come to the icon with prayers about earthly affairs. They are given protection from secret and open enemies, intercession for the offended, persecuted, suffering from untruth and gossip.

The poor and needy are given shelter and food through prayer. Oppressors and money-grubbers receive public reproof for their unrighteous deeds.

The icon brings unexpected joy in ordinary everyday situations. This is success in learning, praise from teachers and parents, the joy of health, daily well-being, when no one in the family gets sick. This is carelessness when there are no serious difficulties and problems. This is the joy of first love and the peace of spouses who have lived together for many years. This is the happiness of parents and children who rejoice in small victories and support each other. Rejoicing at success at work, in creativity, when your favorite thing is going on.

Such simple daily joys fill the heart with happiness. True believers give thanks for every moment peace of mind. When praying, it is necessary to remember that in caring for our souls, not only joys are sent to people, but also suffering. Because hope for God's help is an inexhaustible source for spiritual work.

Why don’t requests in front of an icon come true?

It happens that a person prays in front of an icon for years, but his wish does not come true. What is this connected with, why does this happen?

This may be due to the fact that a person is not ready to meet his dream in reality and will not be able to withstand its consequences. Or it’s just that the time hasn’t come yet. “The ways of the Lord are mysterious,” the clergy say in such cases.

You can’t just ask and immediately get what you want. There must be a work of the soul, a path to fulfilling a dream. Even clergy, if they ask for something in prayers, they always impose a special fast on themselves, read the Akathist, the psalter. Likewise, the laity should limit themselves to excessive joy, excessive fun. Do not allow angry words and pride. Accept the most difficult lessons of fate with humility. Only sincerity and purity of thoughts will help to bestow what will be useful and saving for the soul.

It is not always possible for a person to understand why some wishes come true and others do not, why some people pray for years and do not get what they want, while others went to church a couple of times and received an answer to their request. Surprise of sulitikon “Unexpected joy”. The meaning and prayer of this image - gaining faith, hope for an unexpected event. Patience, humility of a person before the will of the Lord - this is secret meaning icons.

Meaning of the icon

Life consists of small joys that a person does not always notice, forgets to thank for them, and in pursuit of an impossible dream does not pay attention to family and friends. That is why such desires are not fulfilled, because they turn into obsessive thought, which does not allow you to enjoy every new day.

The icon “Unexpected Joy” brings deliverance from pride. The meaning (in what it helps), the essence of the image is trust in the will of God, rejection of sinful thoughts and unworthy deeds. Gratitude for every day lived in warmth and tranquility. Repentance for lawless deeds and bad thoughts, for anger, malice, envy, which so often live in the human heart.

It is not difficult to approach the icon and pray. Much more difficult is daily spiritual work. When you should remain silent, not be rude, and pacify your own pride and envy. Accustom yourself to patience, calmness, and a friendly attitude towards strangers and relatives.

Weakness and sinfulness are human nature. If you humbly acknowledge this fact and ask for God’s help, then the most fallen of people will receive the opportunity for forgiveness.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon is the essence of spiritual rebirth. With the help of prayers and tireless internal work on oneself, a person takes the path of goodness and love. This is the belief that an appeal to the Mother of God will be heard and rewarded with a bright event.

All who prayed with faith, love and humility before the icon received their unexpected joy, forgiveness and gracious consolation.

The Orthodox icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” has an amazing history and the ability to help all stumbled and confused people. She instructs on the true path and forgives sins. Find out what to ask for from the image of the Virgin Mary.

History of the icon of the Mother of God

The icon appeared in the 18th century and reflects a repentant sinner, before the face Holy Mother of God with his son in his arms. Recognized from the stories of Dmitry of Rostov, who prayed every day before the holy image, and then committed the evil he had planned. One day, the sinner had a vision that the ulcers and wounds on the body of the baby Jesus were bleeding, as if he were on the cross for crucifixion. The man, in horror, turned to the Mother of God for an answer, to which he heard her speech, in which she spoke about the suffering of her son, which he endures for all human sins.

Dmitry Rostovsky persistently begged the Mother of God for forgiveness and asked Jesus Christ to pray for him. Having agreed, she turned to her son, and was refused twice. The third time she said that she would lie with the sinner in the lap of Christ until he forgives his sins. And only then did the Savior agree to help the man, pointing to his wounds and ordering him to venerate the bleeding wounds from the crucifixion. After the Divine vision, Dmitry of Rostov got rid of all unclean thoughts and took the true path, strengthening his faith in God.

The icon illustrates everything that happened. In the left corner there is a picture of a sinner, sometimes ribbons with prayers come from his mouth, and in the right corner there is a Virgin Mary with a baby whose wounds are bleeding and clothes are torn.

What to ask for the “Unexpected Joy” icon

The image of the Mother of God protects from all troubles and misfortunes. People turn to the icon when it seems that there is no one to expect help from. She helps in difficult life situations and when solving complex issues.

People who have strayed from the right path and are unable to come to terms with their own conscience turn to the image in prayer.

Parents pray to the “Unexpected Joy” icon for their children, so that they choose the right destiny and do not give up on God.

The image patronizes people who made mistakes in life and committed terrible sins in the past, but sincerely repented and turned to God.

They ask the holy icon, in accordance with the name, for unexpected joy, for example, the birth of children or a meeting with the chosen one. And also about miraculous healing and resolution of difficult life situations.

Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy”

“Oh, Most Holy Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, the Patroness of this city, faithful to the Representative and Intercessor of all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses! Accept this prayer song from us, unworthy of Your servants, offered to You: and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Your venerable icon, You did not despise Him, but You granted the unexpected joy of repentance, and through Your zealous intercession with Your Son for the forgiveness of the sinner Thou hast bowed thus, and now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, but pray to Thy Son and our God, and to all of us, with faith and tenderness before Thy celibate image, who, according to each need, grant unexpected joy: may all in heaven and on the lands lead You as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the Christian race, and this leading, they glorify You and Your Son with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen"

Remember, the icon will only help those whose thoughts are pure and whose prayers are sincere. She can show you Right way, if you are ready for this yourself and help a believer who needs Orthodox miracle. We wish you good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

Celebration: December 9 ( old style) - December 22 ( a new style), May 1 (old style) - May 14 (new style)

The ancient miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” - one of the shrines of Moscow is located in the Church of the Prophet Elijah the Ordinary. The time and place of origin of the prototype are unknown.

Currently, the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” enjoys great veneration among believers; copies of the image are found in almost every Orthodox church, although the spread of the holy icon in Moscow began in the mid-19th century.

The Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is named in memory of the healing of a certain sinner through the holy icon through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God.

The story of this icon is told by St. Demetrius of Rostov in his work “Irrigated Fleece.” According to legend, one robber, spending his life in sins, however, had the habit of praying for a long time before the image of the Mother of God, asking for help in his affairs.
Each time he began his prayer with the Archangel’s greeting: “Rejoice, O Blessed One!” One day, as he was about to go on a sinful deed, during prayer he was attacked by a sudden strong fear, and he saw that the Mother of God and the Child appeared before him alive. Christ's wounds opened on his arms, legs and side, and blood began to flow from them, as during the Crucifixion. The robber was horrified and exclaimed: “Oh, Lady! Who did this? The Mother of God answered him: “You and other sinners; With your sins you again crucify My Son, like the ancient Jews.” The amazed robber began to pray to the Mother of God to have mercy on him.
Then, before his eyes, She began to ask Christ to forgive his sins, but He refused. Then the Most Holy Theotokos came down from her throne and wanted to fall at the feet of the Child. “What do you want to do, O My Mother!” - exclaimed the Son. “I will remain at Your feet along with this sinner,” She answered, “until You forgive his sins.” Christ said: “The law commands every son to honor his mother; and justice requires that the legislator be also the executor of the law. I am Your Son and You are My Mother. I must honor You by doing what You ask Me to do. Be it according to Your desire. Now his sins are forgiven for Your sake. And as a sign of forgiveness, let him kiss My wounds.” Then the shocked sinner stood up and touched with his lips the wounds of Christ open on the icon. With this, the vision ended, and it was not in vain for the man: from that time on, he corrected himself and began to live pleasing to God.
Shocked to the depths of his soul, with a contrite heart, the man prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos to be his Intercessor before God and Intercessor for the forgiveness of his sins. That man realized the depth of his fall and, with the help of God, left his sinful life. Until the end of his days, with tears and gratitude, he prayed to the Mother of God, through whose intercession he received the unexpected joy of repentance and forgiveness of sins from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This image, very revered in Orthodox Moscow, can be found in almost every church in the city.

By type, the icon “Unexpected Joy” refers to Hodegetria - a guide to Christ. It depicts a sinner kneeling in front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and stretching out his hands to her with a plea for mercy. Sometimes from his lips, in the form of ribbons, icon painters depicted the text of prayers addressed to Her. It turns out an icon within an icon: the Mother of God holds Her Son on her left hand, and the Infant Christ raised His small hands up. The face of the Mother of God is turned to the sinner. Under the image there is an inscription outlining the story of the sinner’s salvation...

Hodegetria “Unexpected Joy” once again testifies that everyone who sincerely wants to be forgiven will be forgiven. Moreover, the story about the icon says that the repentant sinner prayed for the gift of a vision of his sins, and this does not mean that he was going to lead a vicious life again. Any person is a sinner - such is our dual nature, but if sin suddenly occurs due to human weakness, then, seeing it in person, we get the opportunity to repent and, possibly, complete repentance, which will become another step of salvation in the spirit.

This image has many lists distributed throughout Russia. He is glorified for his miracles, we are revered and loved everywhere, because Unexpected Joy is the Mother of God Herself, immeasurably loving, persistently in prayer before Her Divine Son for the entire human race, not leaving people without hope for forgiveness of the most serious sins, giving the unexpected joy of meeting and faith , love.

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

Many who with faith and love resort to the help of the Most Holy Theotokos receive through this icon the unexpected joy of forgiveness of sins and grace-filled consolation. This icon awakens in every believer a comforting faith in the help of the Queen of Heaven and, through Her, in the mercy of the Lord in all our affairs, as well as in prayer for children.

Days of celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” - May 14 And December 22.

Source: hram-troicy.prihod.ru

Prayer of the Mother of God before the icon of Her Unexpected Joy

O Most Holy Virgin, All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, Patroness of the city of Moscow, Faithful to the Representative and Intercessor of all who live in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses! Accept this prayer song from us, unworthy Thy servants, offered to You, and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Thy honorable icon every day, You did not despise, but You bestowed unexpected joy on him and You bowed down Your Son with many and zealous intercessions towards Him. for the forgiveness of this sinner and erring one, so even now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, and beg Thy Son and our God, and grant to all of us, who with faith and tenderness bow before Thy celibate image, unexpected joy for each need: to sinners , mired in the depths of evils and passions - all-effective admonition, repentance and salvation; for those who are in sorrow and sorrow - consolation; for those who find themselves in troubles and embitterment - a complete abundance of these; for the faint-hearted and unreliable - hope and patience; to those who live in joy and abundance - unceasing thanksgiving to the Benefactor; to those in need - mercy; those who are in illness and long illness and abandoned by doctors - unexpected healing and strengthening; for those who were waiting for the mind from illness - the return and renewal of the mind; those departing into eternal and endless life - memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, a cheerful spirit and firm hope in the mercy of the Judge. O Most Holy Lady! Have mercy on everyone who honors the all-honorable your name, and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession; abide in piety, purity and honest living until their last death in goodness; create evil good things; guide the erring one on the right path; Make progress in every good work that is pleasing to Your Son; Destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in bewilderment and difficult and dangerous circumstances, those who find invisible help and admonition were sent down from Heaven; save from temptations, seductions and destruction; from evil people protect and preserve from enemies visible and invisible; floating float; for those who travel, travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothes to the naked; for those offended and unjustly persecuted - intercession; invisibly justify the slander, slander and blasphemy of those who suffer; expose slanderers and slanderers before everyone; Grant unforeseen reconciliation to those who are bitterly at odds, and to all of us for each other love, peace and piety and health with long life. Preserve marriages in love and like-mindedness; spouses who exist in enmity and division, die, unite me to each other and establish an indestructible union of love for them; to mothers and children giving birth, grant permission quickly; raise the babies; For young people to be chaste, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching, instruct them in the fear of God, abstinence and hard work; Protect from domestic strife and enmity of half-bloods with peace and love. Be the Mother of motherless orphans, turn them away from every vice and filth and teach them everything that is good and pleasing to God, and bring those seduced into sin and impurity, having revealed the filth of sin, from the abyss of destruction. Be the Comforter and Helper of widows, be the rod of old age, deliver us all from sudden death without repentance, and grant us all the Christian end of our lives, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the terrible Judgment of Christ. Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, with the Angels and all the saints, make them live, begging for the mercy of Thy Son to be merciful to those who passed away by sudden death, and for all the departed who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer-maker and Intercessor May everyone in Heaven and on earth lead You as a steadfast and shameless Representative of the Christian race, and, leading, glorify You and Your Son, with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 4:
Today, faithful people spiritually triumph, glorifying the zealous Intercessor of the Christian race and flowing to Her Most Pure Image, we cry out: Oh, Merciful Lady Theotokos, grant us unexpected joy, burdened with many sins and sorrows, and deliver us from all evil, praying to Your Son, Christ Our God, save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 6:
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we hope in You and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

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Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of Her Icon “Unexpected Joy”

The Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” is an icon that helps lost souls find repentance, cope with their passions, bad thoughts and take the path of truth.

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

Icon “Unexpected Joy” - history of origin

In the works of St. Demetrius of Rostov has an instructive story about a certain sinner who unexpectedly experienced the joy of repentance before the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”. The icon depicts a sinner on his knees, praying in front of the icon of the Mother of God and cleansing his soul through repentance.

This sinner had the habit of praying every day to the icon of “Unexpected Joy” of the Most Holy Theotokos, often repeating the greeting of Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” One day, as usual, before committing sin, he turned to the holy image of the Most Holy Theotokos “ Unexpected Joy” and he became afraid when he looked at the image of the Holy Virgin with her Divine Son in her arms. The Child had wounds on his arms and legs, and blood flowed from the wounds, just like on the cross. The sinner fell to his knees and cried: “Oh, Lady! Who did it?"

“You and others are sinners. Again and again you crucify My Son with your sins, just as the Jews did,” Our Lady answered quietly. “Have mercy on me,” the sinner exclaimed with tears. “You call Me the Mother of Mercy, but you insult Me and bring Me sorrow through your deeds.” “No, lady,” the sinner exclaimed in fear. - Let my anger not overcome Your indescribable kindness and mercy! You alone are the hope and safe refuge for all sinners! Have mercy on me, O merciful Mother! Call upon Your Son and my Creator on my behalf.”

Seeing that the sinner had repented and his soul had been purified by repentance, the most blessed Mother began to implore Her Son: “My benevolent Son! For the sake of My love, have mercy on this sinner.” But the Son answered her: “Do not be angry, My Mother, if I do not obey You.

Again and again the Mother of God begged Her Son, reminding Him how She raised Him on Her bosom, how She suffered on His cross. But the Lord would not bow to mercy. Then the Mother of God stood up, released Her Son and was ready to fall at His feet. “What do you want to do, Mother?!” - exclaimed the Son. “I will remain,” she answered, “lying at Your feet with this sinner until You forgive him his sins.” Then the Son said: “The law requires a son to honor his mother, and justice requires that the giver of the law should himself be obedient to the law. I am Your Son, You are My Mother; I am obliged to fulfill Your worship by fulfilling Your request. Let it be just as wise! His sins are now forgiven for your sake! And as a sign of forgiveness, let him press his lips to my wounds."

The sinner stood up, with trepidation and joy kissed the baby’s most holy wounds and came to his senses. When the vision ended, he felt fear and joy in his heart. His soul rejoiced, tears flowed down his face. He kissed the icon, with gratitude for having found repentance and forgiveness, and prayed that he would receive the gift to always see his sins and repent of them. His life changed completely and remained rich until the end of his days.

How does the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” help?

The Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, created in the 18th century, protects from many misfortunes and troubles that damage human life. It brings joy, and when people are desperately waiting for positive changes, when they no longer have hope in their souls, and they live, hoping only for a miracle. And a miracle is performed by this icon, and gives the joy of prayer.

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” for which they pray

The important thing is that "Unexpected Joy" is able to hear and accept prayer, begging for help from someone else's deafness, but this deafness does not have to be physical. Much more common is spiritual or mental deafness, and it is much worse than illness. Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” icon, a prayer to which can protect from large quantity misfortunes. The main thing is to pray correctly. If you simply read a prayer without feeling it, such a prayer is empty and will not bear fruit. You need to pray sincerely, with all your heart, and then it will be heard and your request will be fulfilled. If there are many sorrows in life, your family is being destroyed, you have been slandered, you only need to ask the Mother of God for protection and help. And everything will get better right away.

Parents pray for lost children to guide them on the right path, to help them get away from the vicious path.

The Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” also helps to return home to those who disappeared on the thorny roads of war, if information about his death has not been confirmed.

The most important thing is to ask for what the soul grieves, what makes it difficult to breathe and live normal life. And when faith fades away, the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” will restore hope.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” meaning, what it helps with

All human life consists of small joys that are not always visible to people and, in pursuit of an illusory dream, they forget to pay attention to their loved ones and express gratitude to them. This is how dreams become an obsession, which prevents people from enjoying life every day.

The Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, the value and essence of this image carries hope in the will of God and the renunciation of immoral actions and sinful thoughts, helps to come to repentance, cope with bad thoughts and criminal acts, anger, envy, which often suppress the human heart . You need to pray every day, then peace and tranquility will come to your soul.

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” day of celebration

The miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy,” which so vividly embodied people’s hopes for merciful intercession and help, has always been very valuable in Russia. And even today Orthodox people they approach the icon with warm and heartfelt prayer and receive consolation in sorrows and misfortunes.