Unexpected joy is a miracle that we no longer hoped for or counted on - unexpected, sudden and unpredictable. Believers turn to the Mother of God in prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon when it seems that the flame of hope has already died out. They ask the Most Pure One for protection from sorrows and troubles, pray for deliverance from mental anxieties and physical illnesses.
Prayer before the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps mothers seek physical and spiritual health for their children. Lost but repentant souls can finally receive forgiveness and find peace. Those who have lost relatives and friends turn to the Mother of God to reunite with dear people. And those who suffer from physical illness are healed. The icon also helps those who are burdened by a heavy spiritual burden - irreconcilable resentment or deep sadness.
Around the 16th century, Dmitry Rostovsky wrote the book “Irrigated Fleece,” in which he described the story that gave impetus to the painting of this holy image. There lived one man who led a very difficult and far from righteous life. But he was very attached to the image of the Queen of Heaven. One day, when he was about to again go on a deed that was not pleasing to God, he fell to his knees and began to pray to the Mother of God for success in his deeds. At that moment, he saw that blood began to flow from the sores on the baby Jesus’ body. The baby’s arms, legs and side were bleeding, and suddenly he heard the voice of the Mother of God herself: “The Jews crucified my son, but you sinners are doing it again. You say that I am Merciful and at the same time insult me with your sins?!” The man realized his sins and from that moment led a righteous life.
The history of this image is still not thoroughly known. There is an assumption that this icon was transferred in a roundabout way to the Church of the Resurrection, which is located in Sokolniki. At that time it was the center of the renovationist heresy. She got there from the Church of Constantine and Helena from the Taininsky Garden of the Kremlin. During the Soviet years (1928), the temple was destroyed and all shrines and relics were confiscated. Later, the Renovationist movement was closed; it disintegrated after the “red” government refused to sponsor them. All surviving images and shrines were transferred to other churches and monasteries that were open at that moment.
After the transfer of the icon, the rector of “Ilya the Ordinary”, Father Alexander Tolgsky, turned to Patriarch Sergius with a request for permission to transfer the icon to its present place. The Patriarch blessed this matter and in 1944 the image of the Queen of Heaven was pompously transferred. This action happened on a Friday and now every Friday a solemn service is held in the church, during which the akathist “Unexpected Joy” is read.
The fame of this icon of the Mother of God spread to hundreds of cities. People came to the image and asked for help in having children, to guide their children on the right path, and prayed for help in business and forgiveness.
On the days of veneration of the image, December 22 and May 14, people ask for help and hope that their problems will be solved, mothers ask for their children, and ask for healing of ailments.
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 this is the history of this icon. 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 then 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 kind of 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 the light. 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?”
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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 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 given to us fills the soul with such light that our lips begin to speak from the abundance of the heart. 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 life, 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. The 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 “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, too, are imams who 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 to 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, Thou who adopted us all at the Cross of Thy 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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“Unexpected joy” is the name of the miraculous face, the icon of the intercessor, the helper. People who pray to this image know about its miraculous power.
She brings back lost hopes and gives joy to everyone who flows to her with sincere prayer. A believer receives an unexpected, unexpected gift.
Days to celebrate the image “Unexpected Joy”
The place and date of appearance of the icon are unknown. But for about three centuries it has been decorating Orthodox churches.
The image “Unexpected joy, according to church canons, has the purpose of Hodegetria, which means: Guide to Christ. She is, in fact, a double icon.
What does this holy face look like?
Photos of this face can be found on Orthodox Internet sites. It depicts a sinner stretching out his hands to the image of the Mother of God, who is holding Her Son, the Youth Christ. The body of the Divine Infant is covered with bleeding wounds
The face of the Mother of God is directed at the sinner, from whose lips prayer flies. He is wearing a green robe, like the Old Testament righteous who did not know Divine grace.
A praying sinner awaits forgiveness and a grace-filled change in life.
A red curtain is thrown back, which symbolizes the entrance to heaven, the royal gates. Red is the color of resurrection.
The meaning of this image is that every sincerely repentant sinner will earn the joy of forgiveness and, cleansed of sins, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The story behind the appearance of this image is amazing.
The plot of the image “Unexpected Joy” was inspired by icon painters at the turn of 1683 by the saint, church writer and educator Dmitry of Rostov, who wrote a large number of books about the lives of saints, about faith and repentance, about the Miracles of God and many gospel stories. This amazing book in patristic culture is called "Irrigated fleece".
It is based on impressions of divine miracles that miraculously took place thanks to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the 17th century in the monastery called St. Elias.
Twenty-four cases of unusual miraculous healing are described in the book. One story served as the plot for the painting of the icon “Unexpected Joy” in the 18th century..
The story is about a lawless, sinful man who often came to the image of the Queen of Heaven to pray before committing his crimes, but one day he saw the wounded bleeding body of the Holy Child. He fell to his knees in horror.
To his question who did this, the Mother of God replied that it was done by sinners who pray for forgiveness and again continue to commit terrible iniquities. The sinful man begged, begging not to punish him, and promised not to do evil deeds. Then he pressed his lips to the Baby’s wounds and they stopped bleeding. He believed, from which he received an unexpected gift - the joy of Divine forgiveness and became a righteous man.
This event became the basis for writing the image. The story told by Saint Dmitry of Rostov found a response in the souls and hearts of believers. At the end of the 18th century, the miraculous face was in almost every church.
You can venerate the “Unexpected Joy” icon today in numerous churches in Russia. In Moscow there is Temple of Elijah the Prophet, it is located in Obydensky Lane, there is a miraculous ancient icon from the Kremlin Cathedral, which in the second half of the 20th century was transported to Sokolniki, and since 1944 it has taken pride of place in the Ilyinsky Church.
Founded in 1592 in Moscow, it became a repository of shrines from churches destroyed by the Bolsheviks. The Lord saved the church of Elijah the Prophet from ruin.
In 2015, a church in honor of the image of the Queen of Heaven “Unexpected Joy” was opened in the city of St. Petersburg, at the memorial cemetery where eight hundred and seventy-four defenders of the hero city of Leningrad found their peace.
Seven wonderful facets of the icon
In the 18th century, icon painters, inspired by the plot, painted the first icons. Church parishioners began to celebrate the miraculous features of the face. The “Unexpected Joy” icon helps in what way, they knew well, because by turning to her, sick people were healed and protected from misfortunes who turned to the image in prayer.
The miracles of spiritual renewal are borne by this holy face:
A weak person receives an unexpected gift - strength and confidence to overcome obstacles.
Granted to strong people humility and patience.
The spiritual significance of this icon is great
The meaning and essence of the image consists in trusting in the will coming from the Lord. Repentance for bad deeds and unworthy thoughts and getting rid of them, gratitude for the joy of every day - the essence of the icon.
Patience and humility before the will of God is the secret meaning of the face. From the face of “Unexpected Joy” comes spiritual and physical rebirth, faith in a prayerful appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos, which will be rewarded with a bright, joyful event. “Unexpected joy” calls for prayerful feats and spiritual work. She gives joy at that moment when there is only hope for a miracle. And it is given to the praying person as an unexpected blessed gift.
How to pray to the image “Unexpected Joy”
The Mother of God, who constantly remains in prayer for the human race, does not leave people without forgiveness for serious sins and gives an unexpected path of love and faith.
With their grief and misfortune, which the human soul cannot bear, people flock to the icon. Prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps in getting rid of illnesses; people bring requests for forgiveness to the holy image of the Mother of God. She helps in family, earthly and spiritual matters. But not only with grief, but with joy and gratitude one must turn to the face.
You need to address prayer words to the Lord correctly:
- The appeal to the icon “Unexpected Joy” must be read with all your soul and requests must be given with all your heart. At this moment, the sounds of prayer should go up, loud and clear.
- You need to ask to be relieved of the mental grief that prevents you from living and breathing. When there is almost no faith left, “Unexpected Joy” will restore hope.
- The shortest prayer - Glory to you, Lord! - spoken by a repentant heart will be heard faster than an insensitive rule rattled out of a prayer book.
- Before turning to the image, you need to ask the priest for a blessing.
- It is allowed to say a prayer in your own words, which must come from the heart.
- It is important to tell the congregation about troubles and sorrows, without thinking about matters of another kind during the hour of prayer.
It is necessary to remember that people are sent more than just joy. Suffering is also necessary for spiritual development. Therefore, hope in God’s help is an inexhaustible source of spiritual work, an unexpected gift.
Even clergy, making requests in prayers, impose a fast, read the psalter and Akathist.
Lay people should humbly accept the lessons of fate and limit themselves from excessive fun. Sincerity and pure thoughts give soul-saving joy.
There are prayers and canons, Akathist to the face of “Unexpected Joy”, useful for spiritual reading.
Description of the icon “Unexpected Joy”
Rules for reading the akathist
Akathist is a hymn, laudatory and joyful words of gratitude.
It represents special poetic creativity, a powerful prayer appeal.
- It includes several prayers that need to be read while standing.
- Akathists do not serve during Lent.
- You can read it on Sundays in front of the icon.
- Sometimes it is said for several days in a row.
- Before reading it, you need the obligatory blessing of the priest. He will give recommendations on the number of days and reading times.
- There is a special, unexpected moment when the joy given to us fills the soul with a wonderful light, so much so that the lips want to speak from the excess of heartfelt feelings. At this moment, you need to stand in front of the face and read the laudatory akathist.
The image of “Unexpected Joy” teaches each of us to thank life for its manifestations. Before the face of the Mother of God, everyone is restless, sinful and pitiful. Recognize it, accidentally rejoice at this spiritual gift, and say words of gratitude in prayer.
Our life is woven from small joys, most of which happen accidentally; the ability to notice them and tirelessly thank them for them is important.
People turn to the Mother of God with prayers when despair and sorrow have overwhelmed the soul, when there is no hope for other help. Healing and peace of mind are bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What to pray for before her? What to ask the Most Holy Theotokos?
They pray for health and healing in front of the image. They ask for intercession in everyday matters. Desperate spouses pray for the birth of a child or pregnancy. The proud, mired in lawless deeds, ask for forgiveness. They ask about missing relatives, and pray to the Mother of God for family reunification. They ask for protection from evil people and slander. The poor receive help, and the perjurers receive public reproof.
Sudden, joyful deliverance from troubles is granted to people. That is why the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” is so revered by the people.
History of writing the icon
In 1683, Saint Dmitry of Rostov wrote the most amazing book in patristic literature. It was created under the impression of the miraculous healings that took place in the St. Elias Monastery in the city of Chernigov. And they were performed in front of the icon of the Mother of God in the 17th century. Before each new healing, tears appeared on the face of the icon.
The temple stood for a whole century. It was not destroyed during Soviet times either. Only in 1933 were all the bells dropped. This temple became a repository of icons and relics of those churches that were not spared by the Soviet regime. Those that were destroyed or converted into secular institutions. This is how the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” appeared in the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The image and the entire composition of the icon exactly correspond to the work of Dmitry Rostovsky.
Days of celebration of the miraculous icon
The celebration of the icon takes place twice a year. This occurs on May 14 and December 22. In all your sorrows, you can ask for help and protection before the image. The icon “Unexpected Joy” is famous for its holy intercession before God. What to pray for before her?
You can ask for protection from troubles and misfortunes, intercession for travelers on the road. Pray for health or cure from illness. In hardships, you can ask an image for salvation from slander.
With the appearance of the first icons created in the 18th century, the fame of their miraculous power spread. A wide variety of healings of the sick and infirm took place. Prayers in front of the icon helped desperate spouses in giving birth to a long-awaited child. Those who had strayed from the righteous path asked for a return to spiritual wisdom.
The most important healing is the healing of the human soul, which is bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What does she help with? Finding peace and self-confidence. Those suffering in prayer before the icon receive a deep spiritual change. They gain hope and the ability to sincerely thank for help.
In which churches can you find the “Unexpected Joy” icon?
One of the shrines of Moscow is the “Unexpected Joy” icon. It is located in the Temple of Elijah the Prophet. Several copies were made from this image, which are also considered miraculous. Every day people come to the temple wanting to receive forgiveness and God's grace. They try to express their worries and doubts in words and prayers.
The “Unexpected Joy” icon gives peace and hope. What does it help with? Before the image, through prayers, admonition and humility, intercession and assistance are given. In front of the icon you can ask for help in earthly, spiritual, and family matters.
The miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” can be found in several
- In the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane.
- In the Church of the Transfiguration on Sands.
- In the Church of the Icon “Unexpected Joy” in Maryina Roshcha.
- In the Church of the Martyrs Adrian and Natalia in Babushkino.
- In the Church of the Ascension of the Lord on the Pea Field.
How to pray to the “Unexpected Joy” icon?
There are no exact rules on how to pray to this or that image. You should ask for a blessing from the priest before turning to the face. For each event or request, there are special prayers and canons. You can read the Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”.
The clergy claim that if the text of the prayer is difficult to remember, then it is permissible to pronounce one’s own words. The main thing is that they come from a pure heart. It is important to tell the image about your troubles and sorrows, and not to be distracted by other matters during prayer.
Conversion must take place with humility and love. Then the icon “Unexpected Joy” will give you comfort and hope. Its meaning is great in the hearts of believers. The icon brings admonition to sinners whose anger, hatred, and thirst for profit outweigh all spiritual values. The weak are given strength and confidence in overcoming obstacles. Strong - humility, patience, protection from harmful endeavors.
What does the icon give?
The loss of morality and spirituality manifests itself on the physical level. Malice, envy, hatred, having settled in the human heart, bring with them diseases and illnesses. People in their blindness do not understand that spiritual cleansing is directly related to physical healing.
The “Unexpected Joy” icon gives inner joy and peace. How does it help believers? Find the true path, your purpose in life. Find unexpected joy that was not expected. At different times, women prayed for husbands who went missing during travel or war. And they returned home.
It is necessary to tell the image what the soul is sad about. And then the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” will help. Prayer for pregnancy before the image has more than once helped to acquire a long-awaited child. Our Lady consoled parents whose children had followed a sinful path.
The icon brings a happy occasion, even if there is no hope for joy. Even misfortune can turn into success - that’s where the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps. will help you get pregnant or find a child who needs parental warmth and affection. It also happens: in despair, the couple takes the baby from the shelter, and after some time it turns out that pregnancy has occurred. The important thing here is not to abandon your first child, but to love, educate and raise him as your own.
Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”
Each icon has its own Akathist. This Greek word means a hymn that is sung while standing. Akathist - laudatory, joyful words that convey the full power of gratitude. It consists of several prayers, they must be read while standing. You should know that the akathist is not served during Lent.
It can be read every Sunday in front of the icon. In some cases, the Akathist is pronounced for several days in a row. Before reading, be sure to contact the priest with a request to bless him. The priest will tell you how many days and at what time the Akathist should be read.
The words of prayer are said directly in front of the icon. Akathist is one of the strongest prayer appeals. This is a request for help in business and sorrow, where the icon “Unexpected Joy” serves as the image of the Mother of God. How does she help those suffering? With troubles and grief that are beyond the power of the human soul, they come to the icon. People turn to the image of the Mother of God with requests for health, mercy, and forgiveness. The “Unexpected Joy” icon will protect you from many misfortunes.
Prayer for health
Prayers for health sometimes provide healing from the most incurable diseases. There are facts according to which the icon “Unexpected Joy” gave relief from deafness. Prayer for the birth of a child will bring a long-awaited child. The icon of a young mother will provide a successful resolution of the burden.
The image saves you from mental illnesses - it will support you in despondency and melancholy, anxiety and despair. Will help in a painless death in case of a serious illness. He will send you courage and protect you from death without repentance.
Strengthening in faith, hope for mercy of the podastikon “Unexpected joy”. Prayer for the gift of children will help bring home an orphan in need of love and care, or bring news of a long-awaited pregnancy.
Prayer for family
Prayer for the family provides family reunification, protection from hostility, violence, and conflicts. Peace and harmony in the family is bestowed by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. What to pray for? About what worries you the most. About what occupies all thoughts.
Help is provided to needy families through prayer. Comfort for grieving mothers and widows. For concerned parents, instructing their children on the righteous path. Through prayer for the missing, happy news is given.
The return of relatives from a war zone or from dangerous journeys can be given by the “Unexpected Joy” icon. will bring hope for love, happiness in marriage. The Most Holy Theotokos will protect you from evil and unkind people and save your family. It will help prevent divorce and bring some sense to relatives.
Prayer for children
Through prayers to the Mother of God in front of her icon, solutions are given in difficult situations. Enlightenment is given to children and parents in difficult relationships. The icon “Unexpected Joy” brings reconciliation in quarrels and forgiveness of grievances. Prayer to get pregnant will give hope or happy news of conception.
The Most Holy Theotokos will protect children from harmful thoughts, enemies, and dangerous situations. Will give parents mutual understanding with their children. It will help guide you on the path of beneficial teaching and gaining knowledge. It will build mutual respect between parents and children. Provides support and protection to children who are away from their parents (in training, military service, treatment, travel).
The “Unexpected Joy” icon can provide assistance to poor parents for their child’s development. Prayer for pregnancy will bring news of its occurrence. Will give life to the fetus and healthy development. Only faith and humility will help you find out about the long-awaited pregnancy. If it does not occur immediately after prayer, this means that the time has not yet come, the parents are not ready for the birth of a child.
Hope daritikon “Unexpected joy”. Prayer for children, reviews of it say that patience and faith in the will of the Lord will help you get through difficult moments. They will set you up for a successful outcome of the case and help you in the fight against despair and disbelief. There are known facts when childless couples gave birth to a child after praying in front of the icon.
Prayer for earthly matters
People come to the icon with prayers about earthly affairs. They are given protection from secret and open enemies, intercession for the offended, persecuted, suffering from untruth and gossip.
The poor and needy are given shelter and food through prayer. Oppressors and money-grubbers receive public reproof for their unrighteous deeds.
The icon brings unexpected joy in ordinary everyday situations. This is success in learning, praise from teachers and parents, the joy of health, daily well-being, when no one in the family gets sick. This is carelessness when there are no serious difficulties and problems. This is the joy of first love and the peace of spouses who have lived together for many years. This is the happiness of parents and children who rejoice in small victories and support each other. Rejoicing at success at work, in creativity, when your favorite thing is going on.
Such simple daily joys fill the heart with happiness. True believers give thanks for every moment of peace of mind. When praying, it is necessary to remember that in caring for our souls, not only joys are sent to people, but also suffering. Because hope for God's help is an inexhaustible source for spiritual work.
Why don’t requests in front of an icon come true?
It happens that a person prays in front of an icon for years, but his wish does not come true. What is this connected with, why does this happen?
This may be due to the fact that a person is not ready to meet his dream in reality and will not be able to withstand its consequences. Or it’s just that the time hasn’t come yet. “The ways of the Lord are mysterious,” the clergy say in such cases.
You can’t just ask and immediately get what you want. There must be a work of the soul, a path to fulfilling a dream. Even clergy, if they ask for something in prayers, they always impose a special fast on themselves, read the Akathist, the psalter. Likewise, the laity should limit themselves to excessive joy, excessive fun. Do not allow angry words and pride. Accept the most difficult lessons of fate with humility. Only sincerity and purity of thoughts will help to bestow what will be useful and saving for the soul.
It is not always possible for a person to understand why some wishes come true and others do not, why some people pray for years and do not get what they want, while others went to church a couple of times and received an answer to their request. Surprise of sulitikon “Unexpected joy”. The meaning and prayer of this image - gaining faith, hope for an unexpected event. Patience, human humility before the will of the Lord - this is the secret meaning of the icon.
Meaning of the icon
Life consists of small joys that a person does not always notice, forgets to thank for them, and in pursuit of an impossible dream does not pay attention to family and friends. That is why such desires are not fulfilled, because they turn into an obsessive thought that does not allow you to enjoy every new day.
The icon “Unexpected Joy” brings deliverance from pride. The meaning (in what it helps), the essence of the image is trust in the will of God, rejection of sinful thoughts and unworthy deeds. Gratitude for every day lived in warmth and tranquility. Repentance for lawless deeds and bad thoughts, for anger, malice, envy, which so often live in the human heart.
It is not difficult to approach the icon and pray. Much more difficult is daily spiritual work. When you should remain silent, not be rude, and pacify your own pride and envy. Accustom yourself to patience, calmness, and a friendly attitude towards strangers and relatives.
Weakness and sinfulness are human nature. If you humbly acknowledge this fact and ask for God’s help, then the most fallen of people will receive the opportunity for forgiveness.
The “Unexpected Joy” icon is the essence of spiritual rebirth. With the help of prayers and tireless internal work on oneself, a person takes the path of goodness and love. This is the belief that an appeal to the Mother of God will be heard and rewarded with a bright event.
All who prayed before the icon with faith, love and humility received their unexpected joy, forgiveness and gracious consolation.
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 of the Mother of God is remembered with a prayer request. 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.
The last chapter described the following story: 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 copy 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 a critical situation when he can only rely 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, follow the right path in life, for their confirmation in faith, for 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 a quick marriage, for the return of their husbands from the battlefield, from a trip, received help, prayer is effective against serious adversity, unjust accusations.
There are several prayer rules that are read depending on life circumstances. When time allows, it is better to read the full text of the prayer 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 venerable icon, You did not despise Him, but You granted the unexpected joy of repentance, and through Your zealous intercession with Your Son for the forgiveness of the sinner Thou hast bowed thus, and now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, but pray to Thy Son and our God, and to all of us, with faith and tenderness before Thy celibate image, who, according to each need, grant unexpected joy: may all in heaven and on The lands lead You as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the Christian race, and this leading, they glorify You and Your Son with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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!
