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About the “unexpected joy” of prayer. Icon of Unexpected Joy – image of the Mother of God Iconography of the image “Unexpected Joy”

Today, in the Orthodox world and beyond, there are many great and miraculous icons known that have mystical powers. Even modern scientists cannot explain all these supernatural abilities. Many icons dedicated to the Mother of God, which are located in churches and temples, attract many pilgrims. They come to them to pray and ask for help, to cope with any difficulties in life. So on December 22, the Orthodox world celebrates a holiday in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy.” This icon is a symbol of the need to ask for repentance for those people who have lost their way and are trying to correct themselves.

History of the icon.

The reason for painting the icon was a story written by a Russian minister in the Orthodox Church, Saint Dmitry, who was the Metropolitan of Rostov. He lived in the 18th century AD and wrote a legend about the mercies of the Great Mother of God. Among all his works there was a story that was of great importance for the painting of the icon “Unexpected Joy”.

The icon tells the story of the healing of a man who spent his entire life in mortal sins. Whatever sinner this man was, he spent every morning singing about the Great Mother of God. The unknown fact remains that no one knows who this man really was. He could be a merchant who achieved success through dishonest transactions, or he could be a robber and rob travelers who got lost on the road. Not a single fact remains about this man's life.

And now the day of another evil thought has come. The man came to the icon, knelt down and began to ask the Mother of God to help him in his deeds. After the prayer, the sinner looked up at the icon and saw something that changed his life forever. The Mother of God came to life, and the wounds of the baby sitting in her arms began to bleed. The sinner was frightened and began to pray to Mother Theotokos to explain to him what such terrible signs meant. The answer was simple, she explained to him that people crucify the earthly Savior every day, because they spend every day in sins and evil thoughts. Thus, all the torment of Christ is transferred to her, thereby making her grieve. After listening to the explanations of the Mother of God, the man realized that through his sinful actions his soul was becoming more terrible every day.

The sinner lost heart and began to ask for mercy from the Mother of God, but his gaze drew attention to the fact that the little Savior was turning away from him. The sinner was enveloped in fear and asked the Mother of God to pray for him in front of her son, he agreed. Twice the Mother asked Christ for forgiveness for the man’s sins, but he never forgave him. Forgiveness came only when the Mother of God wanted to fall on her knees with the sinner and beg for forgiveness. Christ had mercy and granted forgiveness and atonement for all sins. As a sign of his mercy, the Savior allowed the sinner to cover the bleeding wounds with his hand. If you believe Dmitry Rostovsky, then the name of the icon “Unexpected Joy” came from this great event, because Jesus forgave the sins of a man who really needed it. After this Great event, the sinner took the right path and radically changed his life, becoming one of the pious people.

Symbolism of the icon.

If you look at the icon, you can understand that the composition that is depicted on it is written in a very complex way, because it shows all the events related to those incidents. It turns out that the icon simply depicts images of the Mother of God and other saints. They tried to depict the entire story of the plot from beginning to end, which became the reason for painting this icon. Today, the icon in front of which the sinner fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness has not survived. But the whole story calls on people to turn to the Lord, because only thanks to him can one receive salvation, get rid of torment, sins and death of the entire human race. On the right side, the image of Christ in the icon is depicted in torn clothes, on his body there are many wounds, which are a symbol of the fact that he endures all the torment caused by people when they commit sinful acts. On the left side of the icon, a sinner is depicted kneeling before the Savior and begging for forgiveness. This work of art even contains the words that the sinner said, asking the Lord to atone for all his sins.

What is asked in prayers in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon.

An icon can protect a person from misfortunes; people come to it when there is no one to ask for help. It helps solve all everyday problems that a person cannot cope with on his own. All those who have children come to this icon and pray for them, asking the Mother of God to help the children not to stray from the path of God.

Often people come to the icon who have already lost their way, but have realized their mistakes and want to ask the Mother of God to guide them on the true path. Those praying in front of this icon can hope that they will receive everything they need, which they could not get without prayer before.

The icon is also capable of healing people from illnesses. There have been cases when a person lost deafness after praying for help. During military operations, Russian women came to the Mother of God and asked to help their relatives return from the front.

There are many mystical and Great icons known in the world; not every person can believe in their power. Even those skeptics who can no longer expect help from anyone come to church to pray. Faith tries to guide a person on the righteous path; whether to follow it or not, the person decides for himself.

The Icon of Unexpected Joy is a miraculous icon depicting the Mother of God. She is especially revered in the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more in the article!

Icon of Unexpected Joy: history of origin

We cannot live without sorrows, but we also experience joys. And if in sorrow, abandoning the most urgent matters, we rush to the temple - to beg, to beg, so that this bitter cup may pass from us, we do not hold in joy and thoughts to rush in the same way - to give thanks.

In Moscow, very close to the Kropotkinskaya metro station, there is the Temple of Elijah the Prophet. Many Muscovites also call it Ordinary. Temple of Elijah the Ordinary. Why? Yes, now the word “ordinary” in relation to the temple surprises us; we have long and firmly invested in it our meaning, which is far from spiritual meaning. And our ancestors knew well what an ordinary temple was. This is a temple built in one day. Yes, yes, the whole world gathered while it was still dark, quickly divided up who was where, and - they built. Brick by brick, pebble by plank. And by evening - Lord, bless us in Your new home!

The temple of Elijah the prophet is also ordinary. And the lane on which the temple stands is also called Ordinary. In 1592, a wooden temple was erected on this site one day. And then, a hundred years later, a stone one. The Lord saved the Church of Elijah the Ordinary from Bolshevik devastation; it did not close. They marked it as “petty hooliganism”: they threw down the bells in 1933. That was all there was to it. The temple became a haven for shrines from those churches that fell under the hot hand, bad head and empty heart of the builders of a new life. This is exactly how the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” ended up in the temple of Elijah the Everyday. At first it was located in the Kremlin in the small church of Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen, then, after its destruction, it moved to Sokolniki, to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, and since 1944 - here, in Obydenny Lane.

The icon “Unexpected Joy” is very popular. They bring flowers to her, even those who are passing through Moscow come to worship her. Unexpected Joy... Everything seems to be clear, and there seems to be some kind of misunderstanding. And the history of this icon is as follows. There lived one sinner who multiplied his days with obscene deeds, but despite this, he always prayed before the icon of the Mother of God. Once again I got ready to commit sin and once again approached the icon. “Rejoice, O Blessed One...” was all that Archangel Gabriel had time to say. And he fell silent, shocked by what he saw. Suddenly, the Infant of God, whom the Virgin Mary was holding, began to have ulcers, real ones, on his arms, legs and side, and began to bleed. The sinner, unconscious from horror, fell on his face and shouted:

-Who did this!

And I heard the terrible words of the Mother of God:

-You. You sinners crucify My son, you insult Me with lawless deeds, and then you dare to call Me Merciful.

The sinner began to shed bitter tears.

“Have mercy on me,” he asked the Mother of God, “forgive me, beg the Son for me.”

The Mother of God immediately said a prayer: “Forgive all the things he has done.” Only the Eternal Son remained silent, and the sinner rushed about in horror before the icon:

-Have mercy on me, beg me!

Finally, he heard words of forgiveness. And I heard it when I was completely desperate, remembering the gravity of my sins. But God's mercy is limitless. The forgiven sinner rushed to the icon and began to kiss the bloody wounds of the Savior crucified by our sins. And he didn’t expect, and he didn’t hope anymore... And now she, unexpected joy, visited his almost trembling heart. From then on, they say, he began to live piously.

This story served as the reason for painting the icon “Unexpected Joy”. It depicts a man kneeling. He stretches out his hands to the icon in which the Mother of God holds Her Son on her lap. Below, under the face, the first words of the story telling about this are usually placed: “A certain lawless man...”

A certain lawless man... Isn’t it about us? It seems that all of us, having strained our memory and not strained it, can remember how not once or twice, but many times we sinned in big and small ways, while constantly justifying ourselves, finding the most convincing arguments that there is no other way... Of course, in the depths of our souls , the most secret ones, we always correctly understand what is what. But what we understand ourselves, is it really necessary to announce to others? We do not know what sin the person committed when he approached the icon for a blessing. For us this is not so important; our own sins are more burning and unforgivable. But we are not always embarrassed by this, it seems that we know better what is useful for us, what is necessary for us, and we ask not to admonish for good, but to give, give... I remember how one Moscow shepherd said in a sermon:

– We don’t ask, we demand. Lord, my will be done. Mine, not Yours, because I know better what I need.

Apparently, sin, especially unconscious sin, which for us is almost a virtue, is capable of wounding the Body of Christ to the point of bleeding. After all, that “certain lawless man” also approached the icon to be blessed for sin. One offended woman recently complained to me about... God:

-If only you knew how I prayed! I bowed down on my knees and kept asking: Lord, do not allow my son to marry, this is not the kind of wife he needs, they will not live, I feel it in my gut. But he doesn’t want to listen. How I prayed! It’s already the eve of the wedding, they’re buying vodka for the table, and I’m still praying. So what's the point? Signed...

“My will be done...” A classic case when life is undoubtedly perceived by us as normal, correct, healthy. There is no doubt that I know better what kind of woman my son needs, what profession my daughter needs, what brand of car my son-in-law needs. And we ask: strengthen, Lord, my irrefutable arguments, tell them all that I am right. But the Lord is in no hurry. Waiting. Waiting for us to finally doubt our far-fetched, harmful righteousness, when our heart suddenly begins to see clearly. Then it will give a person unexpected joy. They didn’t expect it, they didn’t know it, but they were gifted!

“Unexpected joy” is an icon calling us to work. Spiritual and prayerful work. The results of that work will not appear immediately. We have to wash them and wash them. It’s not for nothing that prayer work is called a feat. “Work and pray,” the ancient ascetics taught. Always work and always pray. Do we at least once, and if not, then “what’s the point?”

But the icon is called “unexpected Joy”. And if it’s unexpected, it means it’s unexpected, unexpected, like out of the blue, like a golden ruble on the road, like a gift. Yes, unexpected, unexpected joys greatly decorate our lives. Sometimes it happens that even an unexpected call from a good person can rescue us from a state of protracted, exhausting depression.

“I really want to see you,” a good person will say, “I really need to meet you.”

And - miracles! Our tediousness (everything is wrong, everything is not the same) will instantly be trampled by a healthy desire to pull back the curtains, go to the mirror... An unexpected joy walked with a light step through the heavy soul, such a small, such an unexpected joy...

How important it is to cultivate a commitment to such joy. She is in thanksgiving. Don't forget to say “thank you.” After all, when receiving a gift, even the most ill-mannered among us will at least quietly mutter “thank you.” And unexpected joy is a spiritual gift. Thanksgiving for him is in prayer. “I don’t know a single prayer, I don’t know how to pray at all, I go up to the icon and think: what should I do next? Well, I crossed myself, and then what? “The editors often receive letters like this, and there is nothing surprising about it. We know English because we completed foreign language courses, we know how to drive a car because we passed our driver's license exams, we know how to knit because our mother taught us, and we bake pies according to our grandmother's recipe. But no one taught us to pray. We are self-taught at best, ignorant at worst. But first of all, it’s never too late to learn. Secondly, does the Lord need our lengthy speeches? “Glory to Thee, Lord!” - the shortest prayer in the world. We've already learned it. Pronounced with a repentant heart, it will reach its “destination” faster than a complete prayer rule rattled off without feeling from a prayer book. But there is also a special prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” - an akathist.

What does the akathist teach before “Unexpected Joy”?

Akathist is a Greek word and it is translated as a hymn that is sung while standing. Standing in front of an icon. Every holiday, every saint of the Russian Orthodox Church, every icon has its own akathist. This is a special poetic creativity. Let us reveal the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos “for the sake of Her miraculous image of Unexpected Joy.” Here are just a few akathist lines: “Rejoice, Thou Who has given birth to Joy to the whole world. Rejoice, for the flame of our passions is extinguished. Rejoice, blessings of the temporary Intercessor. Rejoice, Thou who grantest unexpected joy to the faithful.” The Akathist can be read at home. There are moments when the unexpected joy bestowed upon us fills the soul with such light that our lips begin to speak out of the abundance of our hearts. This is where it’s time to stand in front of the image and read the akathist.

If we take a closer look at our lives, we can easily find in it many reasons for unexpected joy. Your son passed physics with a B, but it seemed to you that even a C was a blessing, an unexpected joy. It rained for a week, and today the sun is in the entire sky - an unexpected joy. You picked up a tiny puppy, who soon became your friend, your husband was unexpectedly given two (you and him) free trips to a sanatorium, but you never know... Life is woven from small joys, half of which are unexpected, so many reasons for thanksgiving. Another thing is that we don’t have the skill. We know how to ask, beg, cry in front of an icon, if we have an urge, we’ll learn right away, but to give thanks... Let’s learn to give thanks. And teach children. After all, children need this science so much in life. An ungrateful person who forgets to thank his neighbor for his mercy will all the more forget about the highest gratitude. A relapse of his poor memory will be his inability to experience heartfelt joy. And the inability to experience heartfelt joy will become the cause of a joyless life, reduced to the framework of earthly existence. What a chain reaction, what a strong connection.

The Icon of Unexpected Joy is a miraculous icon depicting the Mother of God. She is especially revered in the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more in the article!

Icon of Unexpected Joy: history of origin

-Who did this!

And I heard the terrible words of the Mother of God:

-You. You sinners crucify My son, you insult Me with lawless deeds, and then you dare to call Me Merciful.

The sinner began to shed bitter tears.

“Have mercy on me,” he asked the Mother of God, “forgive me, beg the Son for me.”

The Mother of God immediately said a prayer: “Forgive all the things he has done.” Only the Eternal Son remained silent, and the sinner rushed about in horror before the icon:

-Have mercy on me, beg me!

– We don’t ask, we demand. Lord, my will be done. Mine, not Yours, because I know better what I need.

“I really want to see you,” a good person will say, “I really need to meet you.”

What does the akathist teach before “Unexpected Joy”?

The icon “Unexpected Joy” teaches us a grateful life. Before the face of the Most Holy Theotokos, each of us is pitiful, sinful and restless. And there is no need to be ashamed of this as a great shame. You have to admit this and accidentally rejoice that you have accepted, that now you have wide open space and unlimited possibilities. Remember in the Akathist? “Rejoice, O Thou who grantest unexpected joy to the faithful.” And not to those who, during a long marathon from sin to sin, suddenly make a zigzag towards the icon and, just in case, freeze in front of it for a minute pause. Faithful are those who have shown their faithfulness in deed, in word, in hatred of sin, and in prayer. Help us, “Unexpected Joy,” to get closer to the faithful. Give us strength and understanding.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her icon called “Unexpected Joy”

Kontakion 1

To the Mother of God and the Queen, chosen from all generations, 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, and let us call you: Rejoice, you who grant unexpected joy to the faithful.

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 Thy great compassion, with tenderness cry out to Ty: Rejoice, thou who acceptest 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 such a sinner’s praise, and all who see Her Motherly mercy, in Heaven and on earth cry out to God : Allelua.

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, left by the doctors in Your all-powerful accepting 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: Allelua.

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 You: 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 have made 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 pray for me to Your Son and my Creator, so that I may continually call to Him: Allelua.

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 You according to our heritage, from the depths of our tender heart we sing to You: 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 take us away 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 towards You, singing: Allelua.

Ikos 5

Having seen the Guardian Angels of Christians, as if the Mother of God is assisting them in their instruction, intercession and salvation, they tried to cry out to the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison Seraphim: 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, deliverer 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, you never cease to intercede. 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 those who exist, many times every day with faith in prayer before Your image they bow their knees and, having forgotten those things, cry out to God: Allelua.

Ikos 6

Arose to us, like a bright dawn, your miraculous icon, Mother of God, 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, O 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 power in the prayer of our Intercessor for the forgiveness of our sins, will glorify Her mercy and ineffable compassion, calling: Allelua.

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 board, 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: Allelua.

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, who are a Participant of the Providence of Your Son for the Christian race. For this sake, we dutifully please You: 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 maternal 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: Allelua.

Ikos 9

The Vetians have many things to say, but they do not talk vainly about the enlightenment of 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 well, but we also hear from faithful people about many miracles from the Face of the Mother of God, and we ourselves, who are in need of temporary and eternal life, accept the worship of Him, with joy we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, for miracles are wrought from Thy sacred 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-proof 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: Alleluah.

Ikos 10

Thou art a wall to the virgins, O Virgin Mother of God, and to all who flow to Thee, for the Creator of heaven and earth, who dwelleth in Thy womb and was 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: Allelua.

Ikos 11

I give a light-giving candle, we dry in the darkness of sin and the vale of weeping, we see the Holy Virgin; 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 the one who saves us: Allilua.

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; We believe and trust that You have asked from Your Son and God good things that are temporal and eternal to all who cry 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 the present singing, turn all our sorrows into joy and deliver us from all misfortunes, and remove the future torments of those who cry out for You: Allelua.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

O Most Holy Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, the Patron of this city and holy temple, 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, 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 lost 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 worship before Thy celibate image, unexpected joy for each need; a sinner mired in the depths of evil 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; for those who live in joy and abundance - unceasing thanksgiving to God 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 all who honor Your all-honorable Name and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, observe them in goodness until their death; 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, to those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from Heaven, save and save from temptations, seductions and destruction, from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float for those who swim, travel for those who travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothing to the naked, intercession to the offended and unjustly persecuted; invisibly justify the slander, slander and blasphemy of those who suffer; slanderers and slanderers are clothed before everyone; To those who are bitterly at odds, grant unforeseen reconciliation and to all of us - love, peace, piety, and health with long life for each other. preserve marriages in love and like-mindedness; spouses who exist in enmity and division, pacify, unite to each other and give quick permission to those who bear children, raise babies, be chaste in young people, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work; Protect your blood brothers from domestic strife and enmity with peace and love; Be the Mother of motherless orphans, turn away from all vice and defilement and teach everything that is good and pleasing to God, and bring those seduced into sin and impurity, having revealed the defilement 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 death of our lives, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ; having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, create with the Angels and all the saints the lives; those who have fallen into sudden death, beseech the merciful existence of Thy Son and for all the departed who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer Book and Intercessor: that all in Heaven and on earth may lead Thee as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the race Christian and, leading, glorify Thee and Thy Son with Thee, with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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“Learning to pray from the Lord,” that is, to pray as the people of the Bible and our fathers in the faith prayed, means not only the assimilation of certain texts, but also all the methods, forms, gestures with the help of which prayer finds its proper expression. Whoever wants to be in communion with the Father can come to Him only along the “path” of the Son, which was paved, and they themselves became a living part of it, all those fathers in faith who “walked correctly before us.” Deep personal experience of prayer and serious knowledge of the works of the holy fathers make it a valuable help to everyone who has embarked on this path.

Today, December 22, is the day of celebration of the icon of the Mother of God"Unexpected Joy" . It received its name in memory of the healing of one sinner through the holy icon through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God.

After the Dormition, She appeared to Christians thousands of times and performed many miracles. She saved Moscow from Tamerlane’s troops, Veliky Novgorod from her own Russians. The Mother of God healed St. Seraphim of Sarov from dropsy, and saved the peasant Fedot Obukhov from death in the cold. And the nameless drunkard, crawling on all fours - from a destructive passion for wine!

All the appearances of the Mother of God, all the legends about Her miraculous icons are a continuation of Her life.

History of the shrine

Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" created in the 18th century according to the plot voiced in the work of St. Dmitry of Rostov “Irrigated Fleece”. According to legend, one person, spending his life in sins, however, had the habit of bowing before the icon of the Mother of God and bringing her the Archangel’s greeting: “Rejoice, O Blessed One! The Lord is with You." The Mother of God did not reject his prayers. She began to pray to God for mercy on the sinner. And the Lord granted him repentance.

Getting ready to go to sin again, that man, as usual, stood up for prayer in front of the image of the Mother of God and suddenly saw that the image of the Mother of God on the icon had come to life, and the Divine Infant had ulcers open and bleeding on his arms and legs, and blood was also flowing from His rib, as once upon Golgotha. To the question of the horrified young man: “Oh, Lady, who did this?” The Mother of God answered: “You and other lawless people, with your sins, again crucify My Son, like the Jews. You call Me merciful. Why do you insult Me with your lawless deeds?” Only then did the abyss of his fall reveal itself to the young man, who was shocked to the depths of his soul, and for a long time he prayed in tears to the Mother of God and the Savior for mercy.

The Most Pure Virgin, being the main intercessor for the human race before God, prayed for his forgiveness until the Lord Jesus Christ said: “Now his sins are forgiven for Your sake.” The young man left his former sinful life, began to live honestly and piously, and until the end of his days he thanked with tears the Intercessor of the human race, through whose prayers he was given the unexpected joy of forgiveness and remission of sins. It was these sincere repentance, internal purification and newfound spiritual joy that became the reason for painting the image of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy". It depicts a man kneeling. He stretches out his hands to the icon in which the Mother of God holds Her Son on her lap. Below, under the face, the first words of the story telling about this are usually placed: “A certain lawless man...”

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.

One of the first known icons of “Unexpected Joy” was the one that at that time was in the Moscow church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Burning Bush” in Khamovniki. In 1835, this icon was transferred to the temple according to the oral will of parishioner Alexandra Kunitsyna. Since 1837, the icon began to be glorified by miracles. One such miracle was witnessed in detail.

In 1838, on the night from Monday to Tuesday of Holy Week, a certain officer’s widow, Anisya Stepanova, came to the house of one of the parishioners of the Church of the Burning Bush, Anna Timofeeva. This woman suffered from deafness for four months. She contacted doctors, but they could not help her. After spending the night with Anna Timofeeva, in the morning both women went to the temple to ask the priest to serve a prayer service. In the church, at the moment when the troparion “Christ is Risen from the Dead” began to be sung, and after that the troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos “Now a priest diligently approaches the Mother of God,” Anisya Stepanova suddenly regained her hearing, which after this miracle was completely restored.

It is worth noting that before the 1917 revolution, the “Unexpected Joy” icon from the Church of the Burning Bush in Khamovniki was one of the most revered among the people. After the revolution, the fate of this image is unknown.

The most revered icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” are in church in honor of this icon in Maryina Roshcha, V Church of St. Theodore Stratilates near Chistoprudny Boulevard. One of the most famous and revered lists is the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, located at the left choir in Temple in honor of the Prophet Elijah in Obydenny Lane.

This icon was originally placed in the Kremlin, in the small church of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen, which was located not far from the Kremlin Church of the Annunciation. Before the 1917 revolution, many believers constantly came to the image of the Mother of God located in this temple. then, after the destruction of the church.

She was then transferred to Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki. In troubled times, all the miraculous and most revered icons from the destroyed Moscow churches were brought there. IN Elijah Temple the icon was transferred in June 1994. Since then, numerous believers have resorted to the miraculous image of the Mother of God in the temple, which is popularly called the temple of “Unexpected Joy” for help and consolation.

“There is an icon of the Mother of God on a shelf in the kitchen. Hangs on the windshield in the bus cabin. Hidden in the People's Artist's passport. Clutched in the hand of a wounded soldier far away in the Caucasus. On a noisy and dirty avenue, in an endless wheat field, the Mother of God invisibly appears to those who call upon Her.”

Olga Nadporozhskaya “The Most Holy Theotokos”

Iconography of the image “Unexpected joy”

According to the type of iconography, the presented image of the Mother of God belongs to the “Hodegetria” type (translated from Greek as “Guide”). This type of icon conveys the idea of the Mother of God leading people to Christ. It is the prayer of the Most Pure Mother of God that is most powerful before the Lord, and therefore it is She who leads us to Him. The kneeling man addresses this image.

Under the image of the Mother of God, one of two texts is usually placed - either the beginning of the story of the miracle told by St. Demetrius of Rostov, or part of the prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy”. According to tradition, the icon also depicts (in the form of a ribbon) the words of a man addressed to the Mother of God, and Her response to him, as well as the words of the Infant God.

A characteristic feature of the icon that the man is addressing is that both the Mother of God and the Child are addressed directly to him. On the one hand, this distinguishes it from the classical image of the Virgin Mary “Hodegetria”, where the Mother of God bends over the Infant Christ. On the other hand, this reflects the miracle itself - the appeal of the Mother of God and the Son of God to a praying person.

Thus, the icon represents not only the image of the Mother of God and the Child Christ, but represents an entire iconographic composition.

Prayer before the icon and knowledge of the events that are associated with the appearance 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 sudden joyful deliverance from troubles and sorrow if they have settled in their lives.

U Saint Philaret (Drozdov) There is an amazing prayer:

“Lord, I don’t know what to ask of You. You alone know what I need. You love me more than I know how to love myself... I do not dare to ask for either a cross or consolation, I only stand before You, my heart is open; You see needs that I don't know. See and create according to Your mercy; strike and heal, overthrow and raise me!” The author of these lines already understood that it is difficult to ask the Lord for a specific miracle. That the Lord Himself knows better what we need. “Teach me to pray. Pray within me yourself..."

There is no sin that the Lord would not forgive a person who is capable of sincerely repenting and embarking on the path of correction.

Prayers for the holiday

Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Her “Unexpected Joy”

voice 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, // praying to Your Son, Christ our God,/ to save our souls.

Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her Icon “Unexpected Joy”

voice 6

There are no imams of other help, / no imams of other hope, / except for You, Lady. / Help us, / we rely on You, / and we boast in You, / For we are Your servants, / / Let us not be ashamed.

On December 22, the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” takes place. Its creation is associated with the parable of a criminal sinner who every day fervently prayed before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, repeating the Archangel greeting: “Rejoice, full of grace!”, and then went off to commit sinful acts. But one day, kneeling in front of the icon, he suddenly saw that the icon had come to life. Bleeding wounds opened on the hands and feet of the Divine Child, whom the Mother of God was holding.

The terrible vision frightened and shook the lost man to the depths of his soul; tears flowed from his eyes. With deep compassion, he asked Our Lady: “ Who dared to do this?" To which She answered him that it is he and other sinners who crucify Her Son with their sins every time.

The criminal realized his guilt and began to ask for forgiveness from the Savior, but was refused twice. Then the Mother of God stood up for him and told Jesus that she would lie with the sinner at His feet until he received forgiveness. Christ forgave the sinner, but demanded that he kiss the wounds on His body. The criminal did just that. After that, he came to his senses, repented and realized his guilt. Since then he has not sinned.

Icon “Unexpected Joy”: meaning, what it helps with

The “Unexpected Joy” icon is a picturesque revelation of the plot described above. It depicts a man standing in front of an icon of the Mother of God, who is holding the Child of God in her arms. The highly moral meaning of the icon is that prayer and sinfulness cannot be combined, and the path to salvation is always the same - through repentance and awareness of sin.

The celebration of the “Unexpected Joy” icon occurs twice a year: December 22 and May 14. These days, Divine liturgies are held in churches in honor of the icon. The days of memory of the icon are filled with great meaning. They remind us of the need to live righteously and not sin. If you have made mistakes in the past, then it is not too late to stop and take the right path, repent of your sins and beg for forgiveness. The Lord will certainly hear your prayers and heed your requests. Any person deserves forgiveness, it is important to realize and repent in time.

On this day, you should think about the bad deeds that you once committed, about those things for which you are now ashamed. You can write down on paper everything that you consider to be your personal sin, and then think about how you can correct the current situation. If you offended someone, then ask for forgiveness; if you stole, then return twice as much. Remember that with good deeds you can correct the evil you once committed.

Also, do not forget that human life consists of small joys that we sometimes simply do not notice, chasing a ghostly dream. Often we forget to pay due attention to our loved ones and say words of gratitude to them. Many cherished dreams do not come true for the reason that they become an obsession for us, preventing us from enjoying every new day and seeing something bright and good in it.

The meaning of the “Unexpected Joy” icon carries hope in the will of the Lord, as well as renunciation of sinful thoughts and immoral deeds. We must be grateful for every day we live, which we spend next to our loved ones, learn to enjoy the little things and see happiness in seemingly ordinary things. There is no need to idealize the world and waste precious time searching for illusory happiness, because it lives inside us, and we only need to open our hearts and let it in.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon helps:

gain spiritual strength and peace of mind;
achieve your goals;
obtain the forgiveness of a person whom you have greatly offended;
in the treatment of various ailments, especially deafness;
find missing people;
pregnant women carry and give birth to a healthy child;
for parents whose children have gone downhill, to bring them to their senses and set them on the right path;
resolve disputes and resolve conflicts.