Orthodox believers especially venerate her, calling her protector, intercessor, and helper. Almost every day in churches, according to the calendar of Orthodox dates, one or another icon is remembered with a prayer request Mother of God. Twice a year, on May 14 and December 22, the miraculous image “Unexpected Joy” is celebrated. Please note that both words in the title are capitalized, because Joy refers to the Most Pure Virgin herself. What does unexpected joy mean? - the one they didn’t expect, didn’t expect. Such an unexpected heartfelt feeling once touched a sinner.
How was the image “Unexpected Joy” revealed?
The exact date and place of appearance of the icon is unknown; it became widespread less than three centuries ago.
It is surprising that an icon is usually called miraculous after it has performed numerous miraculous healings and phenomena. Only the image “Unexpected Joy” precedes a wonderful event. Saint Dmitry of Rostov mentions it for the first time in his work “Irrigated Fleece”. This book was written by the Saint to glorify the locally revered Holy Mother of God icon of the Elias Monastery in the city of Chernigov.
IN last chapter The following story was described: one unrighteous man lived wickedly, but always treated the Most Holy Theotokos with special reverence. One day he was about to commit lawlessness once again, and as usual, he said the words of prayer, addressing him with an angelic greeting: Rejoice, full of grace. Suddenly the icon seemed to become alive; instead of joy, sorrow was reflected on its face. She held in her arms the Infant of God, whose shirt was torn and bleeding wounds opened on his arms, legs and under his ribs. The wicked man was amazed at what he saw. He bent down and knelt down, asking who could do this to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The answer he received floored him. The Mother of God replied that this was the work of his hands and other sinful people who crucified her Son again and again. The sinner prayed for a long time, without receiving forgiveness twice. The Mother of God together with him asked the Divine Child for help. For the third time, after the heartfelt repentance of the wicked man and the desire of the Mother of God to pray with him at the feet of the Son, the Lord said that the law commands that the Son honor the mother, let it be as she says. The forgiven one kissed the icon, falling unconscious. Having come into himself, he felt unprecedented joy in his heart, hope for forgiveness for his actions. The man was reborn spiritually and began to lead a righteous life.
This event formed the basis for painting the icon “Unexpected Joy”. It received an incredible response in the hearts of believers; by the end of the 18th century, a list of the miraculous image was in almost every Orthodox church. It can still be found today in many churches; it is especially revered in Moscow in the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Initially, this icon was kept in one of the Kremlin churches, in the mid-20th century it was transported to Sokolniki, and since 1959 it has been in the Elias Church of Elijah; it is known that Patriarch Pimen often prayed in front of it.
What type of Mother of God icons does it belong to?
On the icon “Unexpected Joy” the Mother of God is depicted with the Infant Christ in her arms, this is a type that, translated, means a Guide, she, pointing with one hand at her Son, asserting which way a Christian should go. The unique image differs from most canonical images. This is not just an icon, but an iconographic composition (an icon within an icon).
The action takes place in the temple. In the lower left corner there is a man who knelt in prayer before the image of the Mother of God. Sometimes the letters from his mouth are depicted as ribbons to show his earnest prayer. The head of the Queen of Heaven is slightly tilted, her gaze is indirect, directed at the person praying. She points to the Son with one hand, and holds Him with the other as if on a throne. The Divine Infant has wounds from which blood flows, one hand is raised, it blesses all believers. A number of theologians classify “Unexpected Joy” as a type of akathist icon.
Below the image are words from the book of the Saint of Rostov: A certain lawless man. Think about it, after all, each of us daily commits lawlessness, sins: discussing, despondent, shouting, swearing, being proud, performing seemingly harmless actions, thereby becoming an accomplice in this distant history, again and again crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ, the way out is in repentance, hope for forgiveness and prayer help.
What should she pray for?
Often a person finds himself in critical situation when you have to rely only on God's help. Then they pray to the Mother of God, asking her to cling to the heart of her Son and ask for spiritual joy, help in business, strengthening in faith, for the return of the lost and the preservation of children.
Parents prayerfully ask the Mother of God for their children, so that they are healthy and walk in the right direction. life's path, about their confirmation in faith, about spiritual and physical insight. The image of the Mother of God helps spouses to establish peace and mutual understanding, eliminate divisions, and reconcile those at war. This icon is approached with a request to protect from enemies and spiteful critics. Through prayers from the image of “Unexpected Joy” many healings and miracles occur, but most often people receive healing from deafness. This means not only a physical illness, but also a spiritual one: the inability to hear the words of Holy Scripture, loved ones. Cases have been established when women prayed for imminent marriage, about the return of their husbands from the battlefield, from travel, they received help, prayer was effective against serious adversity, unjust accusations.
There are several prayer rules that are read depending on life circumstances. When time permits, it is better to read full text prayers or even an akathist. There is a lot of evidence that reading the akathist helps infertile women: despite the diagnosis, they get the opportunity to experience the joy of motherhood.
Prayer for pregnancy to the Mother of God in front of 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 honorable icon every day, You did not despise, 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.
If there is a lack of time, you can limit yourself to a short call to the help of the Mother of God the Virgin Mary. The clergy emphasize that the main thing is that the prayer comes from a pure heart. It is important to first say the words of prayer, after which formulate a petition in your own words.
Prayer (short):
To the Mother of God and the Queen, chosen from all generations, who sometimes appeared to a lawless man to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer a song of thanksgiving to Thee, the Mother of God: But You, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to Thee: Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Troparion:
Today, return to the people who glorify the zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, and who flow to Her most pure image, we cry out to the Lord: 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 God ours, to save our souls.
What does the name of the icon say?
Unexpected joy is an image that reminds us that forgiveness of sins is possible with heartfelt repentance and prayer. A joyful feeling does not immediately fill a person; he read the prayer and immediately became happy, no. After heartfelt labor and repentance (remember that Jesus Christ did not immediately forgive the sinner), when it would seem there is no more strength, forgiveness comes, and at the same time, unexpectedly, the heart becomes light and joyful. The icon teaches you to remain true to your word. A person, after repentance and received forgiveness, does not go further to lawlessness, but begins to lead a righteous life.
It is no coincidence that according to legend, the first to go to heaven with Christ was a robber who sincerely repented. No matter what circumstances happen in life, the Most Holy Theotokos becomes the first intercessor of every person. And you need to be able to notice joy in every moment. It is that there is a family, children, a favorite job, that you can hear birds singing and admire nature, it is that there is hope for healing, help, eternal life, there is a heavenly Intercessor ready to help everyone to her to the person who applied.
Rejoice, you who grant unexpected joy to the faithful!
Icon of the Mother of God "UNEXPECTED JOY"
Antique miraculous icon The Virgin Mary “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 in almost every Orthodox church, although the distribution of the holy icon in Moscow began in the middle of the 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 history 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. .jpg)
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 should also be 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. 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 an icon Holy Mother of God and stretches 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 - this 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.
Miracle-working icons of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” arein the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in Maryina Roshcha (Sheremetyevskaya st., 33)and inTemple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane (metro station "Kropotkinskaya", 2nd Obydensky lane, 6).
Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane
The most famous revered icons of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” are located in the Church of the Transfiguration on the Sands (metro station Smolenskaya, Spasopeskovsky lane, 4a) and in the Church of the Resurrection of the Word in Danilovskaya Sloboda (metro station Tulskaya, Danilovsky Val, 2 2) .
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”b" - May 14 And December 22.
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.
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; to 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 - 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 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.
Once upon a time, I dreamed of having a child for a very long time, but nothing worked out for me. As time went. My loved one constantly pushed me for treatment. I went to hospitals, gave a lot of money for treatment and nothing worked out for me. Once I met a friend my age and was taken aback by the news that she had given birth to a daughter. Although this married couple I also had problems with the baby and she told me: “Find the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy.” She is somewhere in Moscow and pray to her. This icon, as you see, helped us.” Time passed, but I still didn’t dare to search (probably everything in life is predetermined and everything happens in right time. One day, while walking around Tsaritsyno, we went into a church nearby and then I remembered about the icon of Unexpected Joy, asked one woman about the whereabouts of the icon and how simple everything turned out to be. It turns out that not far from the Temple of the Savior there is a temple of Elijah the Prophet and it is there that you can pray to this miraculous icon. Seeing this icon, I was amazed at how much warmth and faith in the best came from it. Your soul is cleansed, you begin to believe in what you have long lost hope of. I asked and it was given to me. A month later I became pregnant. It was a miracle that happened to me. The miracle I dreamed of so much. My miracle recently turned 2 years and 4 months old and I don’t forget to thank God and the Mother of God for making me feel the joy of motherhood. If you have some secret desire or have lost faith, be sure, if you are in Moscow, to visit the Temple of Elijah the Prophet and venerate this icon.
So what kind of icon is this? Where does she have such strength? What is the history of the creation of this icon?
In 1683, Saint Dmitry of Rostov, the wonderworker, created a wonderful work - one of the most amazing books in Russian patristic literature, “The Irrigated Fleece.” He wrote it in honor of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, inspired by the miraculous healings that occurred under the icon of the Mother of God in the Chernigov St. Elias Monastery in the 17th century. There, before each miracle of healing, tears appeared on the image of the Mother of God. Saint Demetrius compared this event with the Old Testament story about how the Divine dew sprinkled the fleece through the prayer of Gideon1. Among the 24 miracles, one is described that inspired the icon painters of the 18th century to paint an icon dedicated to the miracle of the Mother of God, of which the Intercessor showed many to the world, and each of them can be called an unexpected joy. But the icon with the name “Unexpected Joy” has its own miraculous story.
Dmitry Rostovsky begins the story of this miracle with the words: “A certain lawless man..” sinful man, who led a very vicious lifestyle, was nevertheless heartily attached to the Queen of Heaven and experienced trembling, reverent love before Her. And although he could not deny himself sin - apparently, he was too weak-willed, he prayed daily before Her icon and said in prayer the words of the Archangel Gabriel, which he said to the Virgin Mary in his appearance before Her: “Rejoice, full of grace!”, when he brought Her the news about Her future Motherhood.
It so happened that, getting ready for a sinful task, he stood in front of the icon to pray before leaving. Then he felt a strange heart and body trembling, the image on the icon seemed to move, breathe, and the sinner saw with horror how terrible wounds opened on the arms and legs and on the right side of the Baby sitting on Her lap, from which blood flowed in streams.
The man fell in front of the icon with a cry of horror, asking the Mother of God who did this. To which he was given a sorrowful answer from the Mother of God that sinners, just like him, day after day crucify and crucify Her Son with their sins, and they hypocritically call Her merciful, insulting Her maternal love with their iniquities.
Hearing this, the sinner, in whom, apparently, a particle of faith and purity remained, prayed to the Queen of Heaven, calling Her Lady, so that the measure of his sins would not exceed Her goodness and mercy. He began to pray to the Mother of God that She would intercede for him before the Son.
For the first time, the Lady turned to Her Son, but He refused Her to atone for the sinful deeds of the intercessor.
Second prayer appeal to the Mother of God by St. Dmitry of Rostov is described at length and very instructively. In the icon of the Mother of God, depicted inside the icon “Unexpected Joy”, the one in front of which a sinner is depicted kneeling before Her image, we see Hodegetria, with the Child sitting on Her knees. As the saint writes, the Intercessor seated the Son separately and wanted to fall on her face before Him, but the Son exclaimed, stopping Her: “What do you want to do?” The Mother of God replied that she would lie at the feet of Her Son until He forgives the repentant sinner. To this, the Lord told Her that the Law commands the Son to honor the Mother, but the truth demands that the One who issued the Law Himself honors it and fulfills It. He said that He is the Son of His Mother, and therefore must honor Her by listening to her prayers to Him. Therefore, let it be as Mother wants. The sinner will be forgiven, but let him first kiss His wounds.
Shocked by what he saw, the sinner stood up, joyfully kissed the wounds of the Child, they immediately closed, and the vision stopped. Here he experienced both awe at the greatness of what he saw and great joy, from which he burst into tears of cleansing tears. Again he fell to the icon, praying to the Most Pure One and Her son to preserve the gift of seeing their sins and begging for pardon. From that hour, the soul of this man turned away from sin, and he began to lead a virtuous and godly life. It should be noted that the saint does not indicate what kind of sin accompanied the life of this person, leaving the reader to see his own sins and vices in himself and to pray with faith and strength for healing from them.
By type, the icon “Unexpected Joy” refers to Hodegetria - a guide to Christ; all ancient images are executed in the Byzantine style. A sinner is kneeling in front of the icon, holding out his hands to it. Sometimes from his lips, in the form of ribbons, icon painters depicted the text of prayers addressed to Her. Under the image of the icon of the Mother of God inside the general icon are the initial words from the description of this miracle in the “Irrigated Fleece” - “A certain lawless man...”
Hodegetria “Unexpected Joy” once again testifies that everyone who sincerely wants to be forgiven will be forgiven. Moreover, in the narrative of St. Dmitry of Rostov it is said 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. The saint shows us that every person is a sinner - such is our dual nature, but if sin suddenly, unfortunately, due to human weakness, happens, then, seeing it in person, we get the opportunity to repent and, perhaps, complete repentance, which will become another the stage of salvation in the spirit.
And other! The sinner was enlightened in spirit when he saw that the Mother of God was ready to fall on her knees before the Son for every sinner who cried out to Her for mercy. However, this is not the only shock in this amazing story. The height of the relationship between Mother and Son is a stunning example of the true - already heavenly! – the relationship between Mother and Son, which gives us an understanding of why the Lady is our first Intercessor and Intercessor to the Lord. This is how you should treat your Mother, how to honor Her. The Lord Himself, the Almighty King, cannot fail to fulfill Her prayer, because the petition comes from the Mother, whose request He cannot resist only because She is His Mother.
Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” helps to find peace of mind and inner spiritual strength. As Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva wrote in “Poems about Moscow”:
To Unexpected Joy in the Garden
I will bring in a foreign guest.
The domes of red will shine,
The sleepless bells will ring,
And at you from the crimson clouds
The Virgin Mary will drop her veil,
And you will rise, filled with wondrous powers...
“You won’t regret that you loved me.”
Prayer in front of this icon helps us get everything that we have wanted for so long, that we no longer expected to receive, each according to our own desire: for a priest it can be the repentance of a sinner in the flock and the salvation of his soul, for someone asking for the forgiveness of sins it can be forgiveness. It helps parents in cases where it is necessary to bring some sense to children who have lost their way or gone down a vicious path. At the request of people, someone finds lost loved ones, someone reconciles with someone with whom reconciliation seems impossible, and much, much more happens, even a seeming failure can turn into a happy accident.
It is believed that prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps in healing from diseases, especially those associated with deafness. Here, physical deafness is probably subconsciously associated among believers with spiritual deafness, with the loss of moral guidelines, which obviously manifests itself at the bodily level.
Also, prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected joy” helps to find just such a joy, the most amazing, because it is unexpected, sudden. It is known that during the Great Patriotic War many women in the rear prayed in front of this icon (there is information about this) for the missing men of their family, and others even for the fallen, after the funeral. And unexpected joy happened - the information about the death turned out to be erroneous, the fighter returned home. Many believers know: ask Her icon “Unexpected Joy” for everything that your soul grieves about, and She, the Intercessor, helps everyone who comes with faith and prayer, even in what seems almost impossible, returning lost hopes.
Prayer in front of the icon and knowledge of the events that are associated with the birth of the image inspire a person to moral rebirth, and prayer for loved ones helps those in despair find unexpected joy and gives hope for a sudden joyful deliverance from troubles and sorrows, if they are present in their life.
The icon “Unexpected Joy” gives precisely joy, and when a person despairs of expecting changes for the better, when he no longer has any hope in his soul, and he does not wait, he only hopes for a miracle. And a miracle descends on him from this icon, and the prayer is given joy that he did not expect.
From what and how can an icon protect?
The main thing is that “Unexpected Joy” is able to hear and accept a prayer asking for help from someone’s deafness, however, it is absolutely true that this deafness is a physical disability. Spiritual, or mental, deafness is much more common, and it is this that is much worse than the disease. The prayer that is addressed to the Mother of God, and in front of the icon of “Unexpected Joy,” can protect against a number of misfortunes.
In order for prayer to reach the ears of the Lord, you also need to pray correctly. If you read just an empty prayer, you need to surrender with all your soul to the request and reject everything at that moment, so that the sound of the prayer goes up, ringing and clear.
If there are many sorrows in life, spouses are separated or relatives are lost somewhere, if they are haunted by deprivation and slander, all these situations can be destroyed by prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon. You just need to ask her and she will give you protection. And then the dangers will be avoided, those who have gone far, or those who have left, will be guaranteed a safe return to their native lands.
How can an icon help effectively?
Marina Tsvetaeva once wrote her “Poems about Moscow”, where she talked about the gift of this wonderful icon peace of mind, about finding spiritual strength within yourself. If you pray earnestly in front of this icon and, according to the canons, you can get everything, and more often than not, something long-awaited that a person has already despaired of waiting for.
Parents can finally set their lost ones on the right path and help them turn off the vicious road. And even what the person praying is striving for, and what he is not, suddenly turns out to be exactly what he is not. That is, the failure was imaginary, and the failure to fulfill that desire or aspiration turned out to be a truly happy occasion.
If the prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon was said that someone had died on the thorny roads of war, then the information about the death might not be true, and the person would return home.
The main thing is that you need to ask for something that causes great sorrow in your soul, that prevents you from breathing and living normally. And when faith is already fading, “Unexpected Joy” will restore hope.
“Our sins and iniquities grew... The holy wonder-working icons of the Queen of Heaven have disappeared, and until there is a sign from the holy wonder-working icon of the Mother of God, I will not believe that we are forgiven. But I believe that such a time will come and we will live to see it.”
GREATNESS:
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.
HISTORY OF THE IMAGE
The first mention of the icon itself dates back to the 1830s, but the event that gave rise to its writing occurred at least a century earlier and is described in the book “Irrigated Fleece,” compiled by St. Dmitry of Rostov.
A certain dashing man led a sinful life, but nevertheless reverently revered the Most Pure One, praying daily before Her image. One day, getting ready to “go out for a criminal deed,” he prayed and suddenly saw how the wounds on the Infant God’s arms, legs and side began to bleed; and he heard the voice of the Most Pure One: “You and other sinners are again crucifying My Son with your sins, like the Jews. You call Me Merciful, but why do you insult Me with your lawless deeds?” The shocked sinner begged the Most Pure One for intercession, and from that time on he returned to an honest and pious life.
According to the legend about the repentant sinner, on the icon “Unexpected Joy” it is written “a certain lawless man”, praying on his knees in front of the image of “Hodegetria”, under which are usually inscribed the first words of the story itself or a special prayer.
“UNEXPECTED JOY” IN OUR TEMPLE
The history of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” before it came to our church is not known for certain. Most likely, this particular icon was in the Church of Constantine and Helena in the Taininsky Garden of the Moscow Kremlin, destroyed in 1928. From there, along with other numerous shrines of Moscow, it ended up in the Resurrection Church in Sokolniki. Over time, when the authorities stopped supporting the renovationists, their movement disintegrated, and many icons from Sokolniki began to return to the surviving Moscow churches.
The then rector of “Ilya the Ordinary,” Archpriest Alexander Tolgsky, received the blessing of Patriarch Sergius, and in 1944 the icon was solemnly transferred to our church. This event occurred on Friday, and since then on Fridays it has been served in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon of the Mother of God.
On the robe of the miraculous icon is the inscription: “With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus', the robe was restored on the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in the summer of 1959 under the rector of the Church of the Prophet Elijah the Ordinary, Archpriest A.V. Tolgsky.”
The late Patriarch Pimen especially loved this icon and, considering himself a parishioner of the Church of Elijah the Ordinary, often attended evening services.
WHAT DO YOU PRAY FOR BEFORE THE IMAGE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “UNEXPECTED JOY”
Many hundreds of people over the centuries have prayed to this miraculous image, turning to the Most Pure Virgin with faith and in the hope of receiving the unexpected joy of forgiveness and gracious consolation, help in business. They ask her for the conversion of the lost, for confirmation in the faith, especially praying for their children.
The image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” reminds Orthodox Christians of repentance and the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. “God will not destroy a broken and humble heart” (Ps. 50:19), sings the prophet David. “There is no sin, no matter how great it is, that conquers God’s love for mankind, if at the appropriate time we repent and ask for forgiveness,” says St. John Chrysostom.
TROPARION, tone 4
Today, faithful people, / we 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, // beseeching Thy Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.
KONDAK, tone 6
There are no imams of other help, / no imams of other hope, / except for You, the Lady. / Help us, / we rely on You, / and we boast in You, / For we are Your servants, // Let us not be ashamed.
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in Honor of Her Icon “UNEXPECTED JOY”
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations of the Mother of God and the Queen, who sometimes appeared to the lawless man, in order to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer thanksgiving singing to Thee, the Mother of God; But You, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to You:
Ikos 1
The angels and righteous souls were amazed when you appeared before your Son and God and interceded with many prayers for man, who is always in sin; But we, with the eyes of faith seeing Your great compassion, with tenderness we cry out to You:
Rejoice, you who accept the prayers of all Christians; Rejoice, and you who do not reject the prayers of the most desperate sinners.
Rejoice, you who intercede for your Son for them; Rejoice, you who give them the unexpected joy of salvation.
Rejoice, saving the whole world through Your intercession; Rejoice, quenching all our sorrows.
Rejoice, Mother of God of all, comforting embittered souls; Rejoice, you who arrange our life well.
Rejoice, having brought deliverance from sins to all people; Rejoice, you who have given birth to joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Most Holy One, even if he is lawless, but every day with faith and hope before Her venerable icon he casts himself down and brings the Archangel’s greeting to Her, and he hears the praise of such a sinner, and all who see Her Motherly mercy, in Heaven and on earth cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Human reason truly surpasses Your love for the Christian race, for even then You did not cease from Your intercession for the lawless man, when Your Son showed You the wounds of the nails, the sins of men committed by Him. Seeing You as the persistent Intercessor for us sinners, we cry out to You with tears:
Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, given to us by God; Rejoice, our Guide, who leads us to the Heavenly Fatherland.
Rejoice, guardianship and refuge of the faithful; Rejoice, help of all who call on Your holy name.
Rejoice, thou who hast snatched away all those despised and rejected from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, you who turn those to the right path.
Rejoice, you who drive away constant despondency and spiritual darkness; Rejoice, you who give new and better meaning to those who have been dependent on illness.
Rejoice, you who have been left by doctors in Your all-powerful hand.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 3
The power of grace abounded there, where sin abounded; May all the Angels in Heaven rejoice over the one sinner who has repented, singing before the Throne of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having Motherly mercy for the Christian race, give a helping hand to all who come to You with faith and hope, O Lady, so that with one heart and one mouth we all bring the praise of Tisitsa:
Rejoice, for through You God's favor descends upon us; Rejoice, for through You we also imams have increased boldness towards God.
Rejoice, for in all our troubles and circumstances you offer your Son earnest prayers for us; Rejoice, for you make our prayers pleasing to God.
Rejoice, for you drive away invisible enemies from us; Rejoice, for you deliver us from visible enemies.
Rejoice, for you soften the hearts of evil people; Rejoice, for you have taken us away from slander, harassment and reproach.
Rejoice, for through You all our good desires are fulfilled; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son and God.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm of sinful thoughts inside, a lawless person prayed before Thy honest icon and, seeing the Blood from the wounds of Thy Eternal Son flowing in streams, like on the Cross, fell from fear and cried out to Thee with sobs: “Have mercy on me, O Mother of mercy, My malice will overcome Your ineffable goodness and mercy, for You are the only hope and refuge for all sinners; bow down to mercy, O Good Mother, and beg Thy Son and my Creator for me, so that I may continually call to Him: Alleluia.”
Ikos 4
Hearing the inhabitants of heaven about the miraculous salvation of their dying earthly brother through Your prayers, they glorified You, the compassionate Queen of Heaven and earth; And we, sinners, having experienced such intercession of a sinner similar to us, even if our tongue is perplexed to praise Thee according to our heritage, from the depths of our tender heart we sing to Thee:
Rejoice, Helper of the salvation of sinners; Rejoice, Seeker of the lost.
Rejoice, Unexpected Joy of Sinners; Rejoice, rise of the fallen.
Rejoice, Representative to God, saving the world from troubles; Rejoice, for the voices of Your prayers tremble.
Rejoice, as the Angels rejoice at this; Rejoice, for the power of Your prayers fills us, earthly creatures, with joy.
Rejoice, for with these you remove us from the mire of sins; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the flame of our passions.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 5
You showed us the God-bearing star, the miraculous icon of Your Mother, O Lord, for, looking at the image of Her bodily eyes, we rise with our minds and hearts to the Primordial Image and through Her we flow to You, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the Guardian Angels of Christians, as the Mother of God assists them in their instruction, intercession and salvation, they tried to cry out to the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious Seraphim without comparison:
Rejoice, reigning forever with Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who always bring prayers to Him for the Christian race.
Rejoice, Teacher of Christian faith and piety; Rejoice, Eradicator of heresies and pernicious schisms.
Rejoice, preserving temptations that corrupt the soul and body; Rejoice, you who deliver us from dangerous circumstances and sudden death without repentance and Holy Communion.
Rejoice, you who give a shameless end to those who trust in You; Rejoice, even after death for the soul that has gone to the judgment of the Lord before Your Son, unceasingly interceding.
Rejoice, by Your Mother's intercession you deliver this from eternal torment.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 6
The preacher of Your wondrous mercy, bestowed on a certain lawless man, appeared Saint Demetrius of Rostov, who, writing off the great and glorious, and fair works of God, revealed in You, committed to writing and this work of Your mercy for the teaching and consolation of all the faithful, and even these, in sins, troubles, sorrows and embitterments of their beings, many times every day with faith in prayer before Your image they bow their knees and, having left those, cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Your miraculous icon, O Mother of God, appears to us like a bright dawn, driving away the darkness of troubles and sorrows from all who cry out to You with love:
Rejoice, our Healer in bodily illnesses; Rejoice, Good Comforter in our spiritual sorrows.
Rejoice, you who transform our sorrow into joy; Rejoice, you who rejoice those who do not hope with undoubted hope.
Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher; Rejoice, robe of the naked.
Rejoice, Comforter of widows; Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans.
Rejoice, O unjustly persecuted and offended Intercessor; Rejoice, just avenger of those who persecute and offend.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 7
Although the Lawgiver, the Righteous Lord Himself is the Executor of the law and shows the abyss of His mercy, bow down to Your fervent prayer, Blessed Mother of the Virgin, for the lawless man, saying: “The law commands, that the son honor the mother. I am Your Son, You are My Mother: I must honor You, listening to Your prayer; Be it as you wish: now his sins are forgiven for Your sake.” We, seeing such the power of our Intercessor’s prayer for the forgiveness of our sins, will glorify Her mercy and ineffable compassion, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new wondrous and glorious sign appeared to all the faithful, as if not only Your Mother, but also Her most pure face, depicted on the tablet, You have granted the power of miracles, Lord; Marveling at this mystery, with tenderness of heart we cry out to Her like this:
Rejoice, revelation of the wisdom and goodness of God; Rejoice, affirmation of faith.
Rejoice, manifestation of grace; Rejoice, gift of useful knowledge.
Rejoice, overthrow of harmful teachings; Rejoice, it is not difficult to overcome lawless habits.
Rejoice, you who give the word of wisdom to those who ask; Rejoice, you foolish, intelligent worker.
Rejoice, children, inconvenience to students, giver of reason; Rejoice, good Guardian and Mentor of youth.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 8
A strange and terrible vision of a certain lawless man, showing him the goodness of the Lord, forgiving his sins through the intercession of the Mother of God; For this reason, therefore, correct your life, live in a manner pleasing to God. Sitsa and we, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, let us move away from earthly vanities and unnecessary cares of life, and raise our mind and heart to Heaven, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are all abiding in the highest, and you have not retreated from the lower ones, Most Merciful Queen of Heaven and earth; Even though, after Your Dormition, You ascended into Heaven with Your Most Pure Flesh, yet You did not leave the sinful earth, being a Participant of the Providence of Your Son for the Christian race. For this sake, we dutifully please Thee:
Rejoice, having enlightened the whole earth with the radiance of Your most pure soul; Rejoice, who made all Heaven rejoice with the purity of Your body.
Rejoice, Providence of Your Son for the generation of Christians, Holy Servant; Rejoice, zealous Representative for the whole world.
Rejoice, you who adopted us all at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, always showing motherly love for us.
Rejoice, O unenvious Giver of all gifts, spiritual and physical; Rejoice, blessings of the temporary Intercessor.
Rejoice, thou who openest the doors of the Kingdom of Christ to the faithful; Rejoice, and filling their hearts with pure joy in the land.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature was amazed at the work of Your mercy, Lord, for You have granted such a strong and warm Intercessor and Helper to the Christian race, I am present to us invisibly, but I hear You singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
They talk vainly, but not enlightened by God, as if worshiping a holy image is like worshiping an idol; They do not understand that the honor given to the holy image ascends to the Archetype. Not only do we know this good thing, but we also hear from faithful people about many miracles from the face of the Mother of God, and we ourselves need to worship him for the time and eternal life Acceptingly, with joy we cry to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, for miracles work from Your holy face; Rejoice, for this wisdom and grace have been hidden from the wise and prudent of this age.
Rejoice, for she was revealed as a child in faith; Rejoice, for you glorify those who glorify You.
Rejoice, for you put to shame those who reject You before everyone; Rejoice, for you have delivered those who come to You from drowning, fire and sword, from deadly plagues and from all evil.
Rejoice, for you mercifully heal all the illnesses of mankind, mental and physical; Rejoice, for through Your prayer you will soon satisfy the righteous wrath of God against us.
Rejoice, for You are a quiet refuge from storms for those floating on the sea of life; Rejoice, for at the end of our everyday voyage you will reliably lead us to the storm-free country of the Kingdom of Christ.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 10
Although you saved a certain lawless man from the error of his life’s path, You showed him a wondrous vision from Your most honorable icon, O Most Blessed One, yes, seeing the miracle, he will repent and, raised from the depths of sin by Your merciful providence, cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall to the virgins, the Virgin Mother of God, and to all who flow to Thee, for the Creator of Heaven and earth, who dwells in Thy womb and is born of Thee, reveal Thee, the Ever-Virgin, the guardian of virginity, purity and chastity and the vessel of all virtue, and teach Thee to proclaim to all:
Rejoice, pillar and fence of virginity; Rejoice, invisible Guardian of purity and chastity.
Rejoice, kind Teacher of the virgins; Rejoice, good bride, Decorator and Supporter.
Rejoice, all-desired accomplishment of good marriages; Rejoice, speedy resolution for mothers giving birth.
Rejoice, upbringing of infants and grace-filled protection; Rejoice, you who gladden childless parents with the fruits of faith and the Spirit.
Rejoice, consolation to mourning mothers; Rejoice, secret joy of pure virgins and widows.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 11
Bringing all-congratulating singing to You, the unworthy, we ask You, Virgin Mother of God: do not despise the voice of Your servants, for we run to You in adversity and sorrow and before You in our troubles we shed tears, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
I give light to those who exist in the darkness of sin and the vale of weeping; we see the Holy Virgin; For the spiritual fire of His prayers, kindling instructions and consolation, leads everyone to the Unevening Light, the appeal of those who honor You with these:
Rejoice, Ray from the Sun of Truth, Christ our God; Rejoice, enlightening bad conscience.
Rejoice, foreseen secret and inconvenience, leading all the good and telling it as it should; Rejoice, you who disgrace false seers and vain fortune-telling.
Rejoice, in the hour of perplexity you put a good thought in your heart; Rejoice, abiding ever in fasting, prayer and contemplation of God.
Rejoice, you who encourage and admonish the faithful shepherds of the Church; Rejoice, everlasting consolation for God-fearing monks and nuns.
Rejoice, unashamed Intercessor of sinners who repent before God; Rejoice, warm Intercessor of all Christians.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 12
Ask us for Divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, drive away every enemy and adversary from us, pacify our lives, so that we may not perish violently, without repentance, but accept us into eternal shelter, Mother of God, so that we may rejoice in God, through You. to him who saves us: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your ineffable Motherly mercy towards lawless man, we all praise You, as a firm Intercessor for us sinners, and we worship You, who prays for us; For we believe and trust, as if You have asked Your Son and God for good, temporal and eternal, for all, crying out to You with love:
Rejoice, all slander and temptations that come from the world, the flesh and the devil are trampled underfoot; Rejoice, unforeseen reconciliation of bitterly warring people.
Rejoice, unknown correction of unrepentant sinners; Rejoice, speedy Comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sadness.
Rejoice, you who provide us with the grace of humility and patience; Rejoice, nationwide denunciation of perjury and unrighteous acquisitions.
Rejoice, thou who protectest the blood of the same blood from domestic strife and enmity through peace and love; Rejoice, thou who invisibly turns us away from disastrous undertakings and senseless wishes.
Rejoice, in our good intentions you have been a companion to the Helper; Rejoice, at the hour of death for all of us, Helper.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother, Who contained the Inconceivable God in her womb and gave birth to Joy to the whole world! Accept this present singing, turn all our sorrows into joy and deliver us from all misfortunes and remove future torments from those who cry out for You: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos: “Angels and righteous souls...” and the 1st kontakion: “The chosen one from all generations...”.
PRAYER
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 of Your servants, offered to You, and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Your honorable icon, You did not despise him, but You gave him the unexpected joy of repentance and You bowed down Your Son to the many and zealous towards Him. intercession 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: for a sinner mired in the depths of evil and passion - all-effective admonition, repentance and salvation; to those who are in sorrow and sorrow - consolation; to those who find themselves in troubles and embitterment - a complete abundance of these; to 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; those who were waiting for return and renewal of the mind from illness; 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 all who honor Your honorable 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; protect and preserve from all evil people and 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 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.