The Day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy": the story of the miraculous image

Every year on May 14, Orthodox people venerate the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" — one of the most famous images, which they turn to in moments of sorrow, despair and spiritual need. On this day, believers strive to read special prayers, asking the Mother of God for intercession and inner change. For more information about the history of the icon, how it helps, where it is located, and what prayers are read in front of it, see the Izvestia article.

The story of the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy"

The icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" depicts a man who prays on his knees before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos. The basis for the creation of the image was the appearance of the Mother of God and the infant Jesus Christ to a man, which was described by St. Dimitry of Rostov in his work "The Watered Fleece" in 1683.

According to legend, the young man prayed every day in front of the icon of the Virgin, saying the archangel greeting.: "Hail, Full of grace, the Lord is with You." Despite this, he continued to lead a vicious lifestyle. Intending to commit another sin, the man came to pray again, but saw the revived image of the Mother of God on the icon. The Divine Baby had bleeding sores on his arms and legs, and blood was also flowing from his rib. Frightened, the young man asked the Mother of God about the wounds of the young Christ, and in response he heard that sinners, by their actions, force the Son of God to relive the crucifixion over and over again.

Then the man asked the Virgin Mary to have mercy on him and to pray for this to her son. The Mother of God agreed and continued to read prayers for the sinner, but the Savior himself rejected her tears for the young man three times. Then Jesus said: "I am Your Son, You are My Mother, and I must honor You by listening to Your prayers. Let it be as you wish: now his sins are forgiven for Your sake. As a sign of forgiveness, let him kiss My sores." The young man kissed the wounds of Christ, and the vision itself disappeared.

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After that, the sinner stopped leading a vicious lifestyle and tearfully thanked the Mother of God for the rest of his days, whose prayers helped him to receive forgiveness. This event became an "accidental joy" for him, which is reflected in the name of the icon.

The place of origin of the archetype is not known for certain, but its spread in Moscow began in the middle of the 19th century, at the same time there was a holiday commemorating the appearance of the Virgin and her help to those who ask. On this day, prayer services are held in many churches in front of the "Unexpected Joy" icon. Currently, she is considered one of the most revered among believers, and lists of the image can be seen in almost every Orthodox church.

How the icon of the Mother of God "Accidental Joy" helps

The icon of the Mother of God helps to find hope for those who find themselves in despair. Even if it seems to a person that he cannot be helped, "Accidental Joy" reminds him that it is possible to receive forgiveness, no matter how serious the offenses may be. In front of the icon, Orthodox Christians most often pray for the spiritual healing of the soul and for liberation from various addictions — alcohol, drug or ludomania. Those who cannot get rid of their weaknesses and are looking for strength to fight them turn to the Most Holy Theotokos. A special place is occupied by the prayers of mothers for their children who have strayed from the right path. It is believed that a mother's petition in front of this image has a special power.

Believers also recite prayers for recovery from serious illnesses, for peace of mind, relief from despondency, reconciliation of warring parties and softening of hardened hearts. Infertile couples without children and expectant mothers who ask for a safe birth turn to the icon. Orthodox Christians also recite prayers for protection from enemies, both overt and hidden, and for the return of missing loved ones and even lost possessions.

However, it is important to remember that prayer in front of the "Unexpected Joy" icon is not capable of magically fulfilling all desires. It is not enough to repeat the words in the hope of a guaranteed result. The Church insists that help from above comes to those who sincerely ask for spiritual well-being. The Mother of God calls on believers to show humility and repentance.

Where is the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy"?

There are several particularly revered lists of this icon in the capital's churches. The most famous of them is located in the church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Accidental Joy" in Maryina Grove. It was built at the end of the 19th century and still preserves the miraculous icon, which believers continuously visit.

"Accidental Joy" is also located in the temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydenskiy Lane. The icon was moved there in 1944 from the Kremlin after the destruction of the Church of Constantine and Elena. In addition, the image can be found in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square. Other lists are also found in the Church of the Resurrection of the Living on the Assumption of the Virgin, the Church of the Martyrs Adrian and Natalia, the Church of the Ascension of the Lord on the Gorokhov Field, the Church of the Resurrection of the Living in Danilovskaya Sloboda, as well as in the Church of the Resurrection of the Living at the Vagankovsky cemetery.

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The image of "Unexpected Joy" has become widespread throughout Russia, so its lists can be seen in other cities of the country. For example, in St. Petersburg, the icon is located in the Kazan Cathedral. In order to find out which local church the "Unexpected Joy" is located in, it is necessary to contact the clergyman of the nearest church or read the information on the website of the local diocese. If it is not possible to see the icon in person, then you can read prayers at home. The Most Holy Theotokos will hear an address from any place, if it comes from the heart.

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

"O Most Holy Virgin, All-good Son of Mother, All-good, of the city and of this holy temple, the Patroness of all who exist in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses, faithful Intercessor and Intercessor!Holy Virgin! The All-merciful Mother of the All-merciful Son! The patroness of this city, the saint of this temple! A prayer book and intercessor for all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses!

Accept this hymn of prayer from us, Your unworthy servants, which is offered to You, and just as a sinner of old prayed for many things every day before Your venerable icon, you did not despise, but gave him the unexpected joy of repentance and bowed Your Son to Him with many and fervent intercession for the forgiveness of this sinner and lost, so Now do not despise the supplication of us, Your unworthy servants, and beseech your Son and our God, that He may grant us all, who worship with faith and tenderness before Your holy image, joy unintentionally at our need: to the sinner, mired in the depths of evil and passions, all—powerful admonition, repentance and salvation; to those who are in tribulation. and sorrow is consolation; to those who find themselves in trouble and bitterness, there is a perfect excess of these; to the faint—hearted and unreliable, hope and patience; to those who live in joy and abundance, unceasing gratitude to God the Benefactor; to those in distress, mercy; to those who are in sickness and long—term life and abandoned by doctors, unforgettable healing and strengthening; to those who depend on illness, mind is the return of mind and renewal; to those who depart into eternal and endless life — the memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, a cheerful spirit and a firm hope in the mercy of the Judge.

Accept a prayer song from us, addressed to You by Your unworthy servants!

As You did not despise the sinner who prayed many times every day in front of Your honest icon in ancient times, but You unexpectedly gave him the joy of repentance, inclined Your Son, praying a lot and fervently for this man, so that He would forgive him, lost and sinful, and now do not treat him with contempt. to our prayer, Your unworthy servants, and to Your Son and our God, implore that to all of us, who worship with faith and tenderness before Your healing image, He may grant unexpected joy — to each one what he needs: to sinners mired in the depths of evil and passions — admonition that will work on them, repentance and salvation; to those who are in sorrows and sorrows, consolation; to those who are in troubles and difficult circumstances, complete deliverance from them; to the faint—hearted and hopeless, hope and patience; to those who live in joy and abundance, constant thanks to the Benefactor of God; to those in distress, mercy; to those who are in sickness and for those who have been rejected by doctors, unexpected healing and strengthening; for those who have lost their mind from illness, return and renewal of mind; for those who depart into eternal and never—ending life, mortal memory, tenderness and contrition for sins, a cheerful spirit and firm hope for the mercy of the Judge."

Earlier, Izvestia told how the icon of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows" helps.