The miraculous icon is an unexpected joy. Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected joy”

Our sins and iniquities grew... The holy wonder-working icons of the Queen of Heaven were hidden, and until there is a sign from the holy wonder-working icon Mother of God, I don’t believe that we are forgiven. But I believe that there will be such a time and we will live to see it.
Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov)

There are not many churches in Moscow whose fate one can only envy. They were spared fires, they were not captured by renovationists, they were not closed, they were not rebuilt beyond recognition and they were not demolished. Like lonely candles, they stood amid the rampant atheism, gathering within their walls wonderful priests and wonderful laity, helping them to survive and maintain their faith...

One of these temples is the church in the name of the prophet Elijah Obydensky in a quiet Moscow lane, Vtoroy Obydensky, not far from the revived Cathedral of Christ the Savior. All around are the lovely noble mansions of old Moscow, which have absorbed the comfort of the former patriarchal life of the city, when all the parishioners knew each other, went to visit each other, and socialized at a hospitable table. But the center of spiritual life was the temple.

Known exact date completion of the current stone temple- June 14, 1702. Previously, in its place stood a wooden one, erected in one day. Hence the name "Ordinary". Such temples were erected in Rus', either asking the Lord for something very important, or as a vow, in gratitude. The location was well chosen. The Kremlin is nearby, and the timber needed for construction was brought along the river. Neither the date nor the circumstances of this are known; but by 1589 the wooden Elias Church already existed. Even then, she was loved by both kings and patriarchs, and ordinary Muscovites: “On the 11th day of June, the sovereign [Alexey Mikhailovich] went behind the crosses [in the procession] to the prophet Ilya to the Ordinary, which is behind the Chertol Gate, and in 7191 on May 14 day…" Processions of the Cross People visited Ilya the Ordinary not only on holidays, they often prayed for rain or a bucket.

In 1612, the zemstvo militia of Prince Pozharsky stood near this temple. And by the very beginning of the 18th century, the current stone building appeared. On the north external wall the inscription has been preserved: “In the summer of the incarnation of God the Word of 1702, indictment 1, June 14 in memory of St. Prophet Elisha, this temple of the holy and glorious prophet Elijah the Ordinary was created under the power of ... Tsar Peter Alekseevich with the blessing of the Holy Governing Synod, member of the Most Reverend Stephen, Metropolitan of Ryazan and Murom, Duma clerk Gabriel Fedorovich, his brother commissar Vasily Fedorovich Derevnin"; Inside, on the wall of the refectory there are two tombstones with the names of the brothers.

The old Moscow intelligentsia, the descendants of ancient noble families, those who survived and survived without betraying either their faith or their Fatherland, have been flocking here to “Ilya the Ordinary” for decades.

And the most remarkable thing is that “Ilya the Ordinary” became a refuge for many icons from closed and destroyed Moscow churches.

This is how the miraculous “Unexpected Joy” came here. Its origin is not known for certain. Most likely, this particular icon was in the Church of Constantine and Helena in the Taininsky Garden of the Kremlin, destroyed in 1928. From there, along with many other shrines of the Mother See, in a roundabout way it came to the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki, then one of the centers of the Renovationist heresy. When the godless government stopped supporting the renovationists, their movement disintegrated and the icons from Sokolniki began to return to the surviving Orthodox churches Moscow.

The then rector of “Ilya the Ordinary,” Father Alexander Tolgsky, asked Patriarch Sergius for a blessing, and in 1944 the icon was solemnly moved to its current location. This happened on Friday, and since then the solemn cathedral akathist “Unexpected Joy” has been served here on Fridays.

Hundreds of people prayed to this miraculous image, turning to the Most Pure One with faith and in the hope of receiving the unexpected joy of forgiveness and gracious consolation, help in their affairs and especially praying for their children.

The first known mentions of the icon itself date back to the 1830s, but the event that gave rise to its writing occurred at least a century earlier and is described in the book “The Irrigated Fleece,” compiled by St. Demetrius of Rostov. A certain dashing man led sinful life, but was nevertheless reverently attached to the Most Pure One, daily praying unfailingly to Her icon. One day, getting ready to “go out for a sinful deed,” he prayed and suddenly saw how the Baby’s ulcers on his arms, legs and sides began to bleed, and the voice of the Most Pure One said: “You and other sinners are again crucifying My Son with your sins, like the Jews. You call Me Merciful, but why do you insult Me with your lawless deeds?” The shocked sinner begged the Most Pure One for intercession, kissed the Savior’s sores as a sign of forgiveness, and from that time returned to an honest and pious life.

According to this legend, on the icon “Unexpected Joy” it is written “a certain lawless man”, praying on his knees before the image of “Hodegetria”, under which the first words of the story itself or a special prayer are usually inscribed.

On the miraculous robe from the temple in the name of Elijah the Ordinary there is an inscription: “With the blessing His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and All Rus' Alexy on the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, the chasuble was restored in the summer of 1959 under the rector of the Church of the Holy Prophet of God Elijah the Ordinary, Archpriest A.V. Tolgsky.”

The deceased especially loved this icon and therefore considered himself a parishioner of the Church of Elijah the Ordinary, often coming here for evening services. They say that one day he saw this image in a subtle dream, and when he found himself for the first time in the temple of Elijah the Prophet, he immediately recognized exactly this list of “Unexpected Joy.”

Let's talk here about other shrines of this temple. A beautiful image of the Kazan Mother of God written by Simon Ushakov. The icon of the Assumption, which came here from the closed Church of the Assumption on Mogiltsy. When the nearby Zachatievsky was closed in 1924 convent, then his last abbess brought here the icons of the “Three-Handed Lady” and the Mother of God “Merciful” (exactly seventy years later this monastery was restored, and its icons were returned to their original place, to the monastery). Icon of the Sovereign Mother of God, painted by the artist Nikolai Chernyshev, who was arrested and died for his faith in December 1924.

Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov), one of the first hagiographers St. Seraphim Sarovsky, at one time images of the Savior and the venerable were painted, and the icon of the Savior was confiscated during the arrest of the bishop in 1937 and, unknown how, ended up in the temple after the execution of St. Seraphim.

The temple gathered within its walls amazing people. Father Alexander Egorov recently completed his earthly journey: how many people did this truly Russian shepherd care for, how much wise advice he gave, how much love and consolation the parishioners saw from him... Peace be upon his ashes...

Another locally revered image, “Unexpected Joy,” has long been in the Moscow church in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in Maryina Roshcha.

There were also venerable lists in demolished churches Burning Bush near Smolensky Boulevard, the Annunciation at the Zhitny Dvor in the Kremlin, as well as in the church in the name of Fyodor Stratilates that has survived to this day at the Myasnitsky Gate; outside the capital - also in the village of Selgi, Simbirsk province.

Let us trust in the mercy of the Mother of God, give thanks for those unexpected joys that She sends us and believe that She will not leave us on the difficult and thorny path, whose name is life.

Troparion, tone 4

Today, faithful people, we spiritually triumph, glorifying the zealous Intercessor of the Christian race and flowing to Her most pure image, we cry out: O Most Merciful Lady Theotokos, grant us unexpected joy, burdened with many sins and sorrows, and deliver us from all evil, praying to Thy Son, Christ our God, save our souls.

Prayer

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 Thy servants, offered to You, and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Thy honorable icon, You did not despise Him, but You gave him the unexpected joy of repentance and You bowed Your Son to His many and zealous ones. intercession for the forgiveness of this sinner and erring one, so even now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, and implore Thy Son and our God, and grant to all of us, who with faith and tenderness bow before Thy celibate image, unexpected joy for each need: 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 an illness - the return and renewal of the mind; those departing into eternal and endless life - memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, a cheerful spirit and firm hope in the mercy of the Judge. O Most Holy Lady! Have mercy on all who honor the all-honorable your name and show to everyone Your omnipotent protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, keep them in goodness until the end; 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, for those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from heaven, save from temptations, seductions and destruction, from all evil people and protect and preserve 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; expose slanderers and slanderers 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, die, unite me to each other and establish an indestructible union of love for them; Give quick permission to mothers giving birth, raise babies, be chaste to young ones, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching, teach 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 uncleanness, 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 a Christian death in 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 life; to those who died a sudden death, beseech the mercy of Thy Son, and for all those who have died who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer Book and Intercessor; Yes, everyone in heaven and on earth leads You as a firm and unashamed Representative of the Christian race, and, leading, glorify You and Your Son, with His Beginningless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the icon of the Mother of God on May 14, June 3 and December 22. Unexpected joy" The first part of the image is a man standing in front of the icon, whose gaze and hands are turned to the Mother of God. It is located in the lower left corner. The image of the Mother of God herself belongs to the “Hodegetria” type. At the bottom there is usually either the beginning of the story about the miracle of St. Demetrius of Rostov, or part of the prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon. The Infant of God is depicted on the icon with open wounds on his body.

The history of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

The legend tells of the appearance of the Mother of God with the Child of God to a man. It was described by the saint of Rostov in his work “Irrigated Fleece.” The man suffered from a problem that he could not overcome. After each violation of a promise, he asked for forgiveness from the icon of the Mother of God. One fine day, before committing a sin, the man again turned to the icon and, leaving, he noticed that the Mother of God had turned her face to him, and wounds appeared on the body of the Infant of God, from which blood flowed. This event seriously affected the man, and he felt spiritual cleansing and forgot about his sin forever. This story became the basis for painting the famous icon.

The most famous image is located in the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which is located in Moscow. Several copies were made from this icon, which also showed their power and worked miracles. Every day people come to the image and turn to Higher powers with their problems.

How does the “Unexpected Joy” icon help?

During life, a person commits different actions and experiences feelings, for example, envy, anger, etc. All this negatively affects the internal state. By turning to the icon, a believer can find joy, peace, and find his true path and purpose. For example, in different historical periods during wars, women prayed to the image for the return of their husbands, and as a result, the desired became a reality.

To receive help, you need to read a prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, and then state everything that lies like a stone in your soul. Many women who want to get pregnant make this request and soon the wish comes true. The icon helps to heal from various diseases; for example, there is evidence that people were cured of deafness and blindness. The icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” will help strengthen faith and give hope in better times. If you read a prayer for the family before this image, you can improve relationships, get rid of hostility, conflicts and other problems. You can pray in front of the icon about various family problems, the main thing is to do it from pure heart. Lonely people can ask Higher powers help in finding your soulmate. Prayers about earthly affairs are read in front of the icon. For example, you can get protection from existing enemies, gossip and various troubles. The face will also help in solving material problems.

There are no specific rules for how to act in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon. The clergy say that the main thing is to do it from the heart. It is recommended to first contact the priest to receive his blessing. If the text of the prayer is difficult to remember, then you can read it from a page, but it is important to write everything yourself. It is also allowed to address the face in your own words, the main thing is to speak from the heart without any thoughts.

The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” sounds like this:

This is the most main prayer appeals to this icon, but there are also other texts that are used depending on the situation, that is, taking into account what exactly needs to be asked from the Higher Powers. You can also read the Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”.

The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” on May 14, June 3 and December 22. The first part of the image is a man standing in front of the icon, whose gaze and hands are turned to the Mother of God. It is located in the lower left corner. The image of the Mother of God herself belongs to the “Hodegetria” type. At the bottom there is usually either the beginning of the story about the miracle of St. Demetrius of Rostov, or part of the prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon. The Infant of God is depicted on the icon with open wounds on his body.

The history of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

The legend tells of the appearance of the Mother of God with the Child of God to a man. It was described by the saint of Rostov in his work “Irrigated Fleece.” The man suffered from a sin that he could not overcome. After each violation of a promise, he asked for forgiveness from the icon of the Mother of God. One fine day, before committing a sin, the man again turned to the icon and, leaving, he noticed that the Mother of God had turned her face to him, and wounds appeared on the body of the Infant of God, from which blood flowed. This event seriously affected the man, and he felt spiritual cleansing and forgot about his sin forever. This story became the basis for painting the famous icon.

The most famous image is located in the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which is located in Moscow. Several copies were made from this icon, which also showed their power and worked miracles. Every day people come to the image and turn to Higher powers with their problems.

How does the “Unexpected Joy” icon help?

During life, a person commits different actions and experiences feelings, for example, envy, anger, etc. All this negatively affects the internal state. By turning to the icon, a believer can find joy, peace, and find his true path and purpose. For example, in different historical periods during wars, women prayed to the image for the return of their husbands, and as a result, the desired became a reality.

To receive help, you need to read a prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, and then state everything that lies like a stone in your soul. Many women who want to get pregnant make this request and soon the wish comes true. The icon helps to heal from various diseases; for example, there is evidence that people were cured of deafness and blindness. The icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” will help strengthen faith and give hope in better times. If you read a prayer for the family before this image, you can improve relationships, get rid of hostility, conflicts and other problems. You can pray in front of the icon about various family problems, the main thing is to do it from the heart. Lonely people can ask the Higher Powers for help in finding their soulmate. Prayers about earthly affairs are read in front of the icon. For example, you can get protection from existing enemies, gossip and various troubles. The face will also help in solving material problems.

There are no specific rules on how to pray in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon. The clergy say that the main thing is to do it from the heart. It is recommended to first contact the priest to receive his blessing. If the text of the prayer is difficult to remember, then you can read it from a page, but it is important to write everything yourself. It is also allowed to address the face in your own words, the main thing is to speak from the heart without any thoughts.

The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” sounds like this:

This is the most important prayer for addressing this icon, but there are also other texts that are used depending on the situation, that is, taking into account what exactly needs to be asked from the Higher Powers. You can also read the Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”.

Prayer to the Mother of God “Unexpected joy”

From time immemorial, many people have worshiped and revere the image of “Unexpected Joy”. Even those who are passing through Moscow come to pray to her.

Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” helps the suffering and heals the sick. Its very name seems to be clear to everyone, but there is still a certain misunderstanding.

Few people are familiar with the history of the origin of the prayer appeal “Unexpected Joy”. Once upon a time there lived a sinful man. Once again about to sin, he turned in prayer to the icon. Before he could utter the words of Archangel Gabriel “Hail, O Blessed One,” he fell silent in shock.

Open, bleeding ulcers appeared on the arms, legs, and side of the Divine Infant.

The sinner, in horror, bowed face down in front of the icon, and in fear asked who did this.

In response to his question, the sinner heard reproachful words Holy Mother of God, indicating lawless deeds, endless insults and sins of sinful people. These words touched the man so much that he began to cry in tears for mercy, for forgiveness. He asked the Son of the Mother of God to pray for his sinful actions. When he was completely desperate, he heard words of forgiveness. Joy came to the sinner when he no longer hoped or hoped. From that time on, his life changed; the sinner began to lead a pious life.

It was thanks to this story that the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” was created. It depicts a kneeling man stretching out his hands to the face of the Mother of God and the Child of God.

In what cases is an icon used?

The image of the Mother of God was created in the eighteenth century. Since its writing, it and other lists from it have revealed miraculous events. Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” helps to heal many illnesses, promotes early marriage, and helps lost souls return home. Prayer to the icon inspires a person to moral rebirth. And if he prays for his loved ones in front of the icon, often listens to the audio prayer message online, those who despair of salvation will receive unexpected joy with its help, deliverance from troubles and sorrows.

People turn to prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon when they despair of getting any help. Prayer to the Mother of God will protect a person from diseases associated with hearing, not only physical, but also spiritual.

A prayerful appeal to the Mother of God will help in all sorrows associated with the separation of spouses, with the loss of relatives, with hardships, with salvation from slander, and will help in a quick marriage.

Also, many people turn to the image in search of protection. If loved ones are going on a long voyage or traveling overland, their relatives begin to read a prayer appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos asking them to protect them from all dangers and for the soon successful return of the traveler home.

What is the name of the icon associated with?

The name of the image calls people to both spiritual and prayerful work. Although the results will not appear immediately. It will take a long time to achieve them. The teaching of the ancient ascetics speaks of constant “work and prayer.” The name of the icon of the Mother of God, as well as the prayer itself, speaks of an unexpected, unexpected joy that can well decorate the life of any person.

The “Unexpected Joy” prayer teaches a person gratitude. Before the face of the Most Holy Theotokos, every person is pitiful, although this should not be ashamed at all. You need to accept this fact, accidentally be glad that you were accepted and opened unlimited possibilities. Prayerful appeal teaches people to be faithful in deed, in a word, it teaches hatred of sin. Prayer helps to get closer to the heights of faith, gives strength, and enlightens.

Video: Prayer “Unexpected joy”

Prayer "Unexpected Joy". Prayer to the icon "Unexpected Joy"

There are situations when earthly forces, friends and relatives cannot help, and the person himself understands that he is powerless in a given situation. For example, an incurable illness, insurmountable grief from the loss of loved ones, family discord and disobedient children. At such moments in life, a person is left either alone with himself or with faith and begins to ask the Lord and other saints to help and support him. In order for your requests and prayers to be heard faster, you need to address them directly to one or another saint. In this article you will find out what the prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon gives to people, who exactly it helps and why it is called that.

History of the creation of the icon

In the 18th century, the work of Demetrius of Rostov “Irrigated Fleece” provided the subject for the creation of an icon. It tells the story of a criminal who had the habit of going to church to pray to the Mother of God before each of his crimes. One day, while reading a prayer, the Mother of God and the Child appeared to this young man, whose whole body was covered in bleeding wounds. To the young man’s question about the child, the Virgin Mary replied that these ulcers appear on the body of Jesus from every bad deed committed by sinners on Earth. After being dried, the criminal repented and begged for forgiveness, but Jesus forgave him only the third time, then he touched each wound on the body of the Baby with his lips, and he and the Mother of God melted into the air. From that moment on, the criminal repented and completely changed his lifestyle, directing it in a righteous direction. When a prayer was read to them, unexpected joy visited him along with liberation from sins. Thanks to this event, the icon received its name.

To this day, prayer in front of the icon “Unexpected Joy” awakens in people morality, decency, tolerance towards themselves and others and makes them rethink their lives, behave righteously, and if you pray for loved ones and relatives, you can help them find relief, save them from sorrow and troubles, if any are present in their life.

What is depicted on the icon?

The appearance of the icon completely coincides with the plot of the story. It depicts a praying sinner kneeling before the Virgin Mary, and the Baby Jesus wearing rags instead of clothes and with bleeding wounds. The sinner is located in the lower left corner, and under the icon the first lines from the story of Demetrius of Rostov or sometimes the prayer “Unexpected Joy” are written. Some icons depict a sinner with a ribbon in his mouth, on which words of forgiveness addressed to the Mother of God are visible.

How does prayer in front of the icon “Unexpected Joy” help?

The Mother of God, having heard people’s prayers addressed to her, protects those who ask from troubles, tears, sadness and sadness. The prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected joy” protects people from all kinds of diseases associated with hearing, both literally and figuratively. She hears the call of the soul and asks the Lord for the people, and they say that he answers prayers to the Mother of God and other saints. The prayer of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” helps in many other ways.
Here is a small list of problems that she will certainly cope with:

Quarrels and separation of husband and wife;

Sadness from the loss of relatives;

Various hardships;

Saving your own reputation from slander and gossip;

Protection in any difficult situations.

The “Unexpected Joy” prayer will help protect those traveling by sea and land from the dangers that may arise on their way, as well as facilitate their speedy return home safe and sound.

In what matters does an icon help?

The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” helps everyone get what they have longed for a long time, but were secretly afraid that they would never get it. For example, a priest may want sinners to repent and thereby save their souls; those who kneel before the icon will receive forgiveness and remission of sins. Parents will finally be able to find mutual language and bring some sense into your rebellious, disobedient children, and guide them on the right path. The “Unexpected Joy” prayer helps to find lost loved ones, reconcile warring parties, and suggest a good, bright solution even in the darkest, complicated situations.

Unexpected good news

Prayer in front of an icon gives people the most desired and at the same time unexpected, sudden joy. There is information that during the Great Patriotic War, women, being in the rear, did not leave the icon day or night, praying for their husbands and sons who were fighting or missing. Some, especially desperate ones, continued to pray for the health of their loved ones even after they received news of their death - a “funeral”. And they begged the sky for their unexpected joy: information about the tragic death turned out to be erroneous, and the soldier returned home alive. Many believers know that the prayer to the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” helps everyone and fulfills almost any desire, especially those in which people have already despaired of believing.

The icon will help you find female happiness

Many women or married couples They turn to the icon together when they have problems conceiving a child. The prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” helps everyone who passionately desires it to feel the happiness of motherhood and fatherhood. Many cases have been recorded when couples, trying in vain to have a child for a long time, turned to the icon and, lo and behold, they achieved their goal. Everyone knows that keeping the family fire burning is hard labour, and also the fact that the life of a modern cell of society is like a powder keg.
But wise women who want to preserve the sacred marriage, instead of discussing problems with their friends, resort to the miraculous power of the icon. Any quarrels or grievances are forgotten between spouses, and complete harmony and mutual understanding, harmony and peace reign in the family.

To sum it up...

After reading all of the above, someone will decide that he has found the ideal key to solving all problems, but you need to understand that it cannot be so easy. That without making any effort, it is impossible to achieve any success, that you need to fight, and not just sit back and pray. Faith in the Lord God helps to gain faith in own strength. Prayer clears the mind and guides a person to perform noble deeds. Persistence and determination, backed by strong prayer and faith - this is the ideal union that guarantees success in any life situations. The “Unexpected Joy” icon will give all those who ask and need happiness, grace and the solution to all difficulties and obstacles in their lives. By turning their souls to faith and the Most Holy Theotokos, everyone will find their own innocent joy.

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

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Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

The icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” was created in the 18th century based on the plot of a repentant sinner from the work of St. Dmitry of Rostov “The Irrigated Fleece.” Since then, this icon and other copies from it have revealed miraculous events associated with healing from illnesses, through the prayers of parents, with the return of children from the path of vice, and with the spiritual insight of people who realized their spiritual imperfections. Prayer in front of the icon and knowledge of the events that are associated with the birth of the image inspire a person to moral rebirth, and prayer for loved ones helps those in despair find unexpected joy and gives hope for a sudden joyful deliverance from troubles and sorrows, if they are present in their life.

How an icon will protect you and your loved ones
With her holy intercession through our prayers before the icon of Her “Unexpected Joy,” the Mother of God protects us from all sorrows and troubles that may be in our lives, since, as it is said in the kontakion (see section “How to pray in front of an icon”), we do not have there is no other hope, no other help than Her. Unexpected joy - one that we no longer expected or expected. The icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, the prayer to the Mother of God in front of it will protect from diseases, especially those associated with hearing, and here we mean not only physical, but also spiritual hearing - to the extent that we hear the Lord and His answer to prayers through the Mother of God and the saints.
And a prayer to the Mother of God in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon will protect you from many misfortunes. This list of sorrows is expressed in a lengthy, heartfelt prayer to Her. In all sorrows - separation of spouses, lost relatives, in hardships, in salvation from slanderous slander, in all difficult situations, you can ask the Mother of God in front of Her icon “Unexpected Joy” for protection. For example, praying for those sailing on the sea or traveling on land in any difficult conditions, it is worth asking Her icon “Unexpected Joy” to protect them from dangers, to ask for their speedy and successful return.

What does an icon help with?
Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” helps to find peace of mind and inner spiritual strength. As Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva wrote in “Poems about Moscow”:
To Unexpected Joy in the Garden
I will bring in a foreign guest.
The domes of red will shine,
The sleepless bells will ring,
And at you from the crimson clouds
The Virgin Mary will drop her veil,
And you will rise, filled with wondrous powers...
“You won’t regret that you loved me.”
Prayer in front of this icon helps us get everything that we have wanted for so long, that we no longer hoped to receive, each according to our own desire: for a priest, this could be the repentance of a sinner in the flock and the salvation of his soul, for someone who prays for the forgiveness of sins, it can be forgiveness. It helps parents in cases where it is necessary to bring some sense to children who have lost their way or gone down a vicious path. At the request of people, someone finds lost loved ones, someone reconciles with someone with whom reconciliation seems impossible, and much, much more happens, even a seeming failure can turn into a happy accident.
It is believed that prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps in healing from diseases, especially those associated with deafness. Here, physical deafness is probably subconsciously associated among believers with spiritual deafness, with loss moral guidelines, which obviously manifests itself at the bodily level.
Also, prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected joy” helps to find just such a joy, the most amazing, because it is unexpected, sudden. It is known that during the Great Patriotic War many women in the rear prayed in front of this icon (there is information about this) for the missing men of their family, and others even for the fallen, after the funeral. And unexpected joy happened - the information about the death turned out to be erroneous, the fighter returned home. Many believers know: ask Her icon “Unexpected Joy” for everything that your soul grieves about, and She, the Intercessor, helps everyone who comes with faith and prayer, even in what seems almost impossible, returning lost hopes.

How to pray in front of an icon
Kontakion 1 (from the Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”)
Chosen from all generations of the Mother of God and the Queen, who sometimes appeared to the lawless man, in order to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer thanksgiving singing to Thee, the Mother of God; But You, who have ineffable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call You: Rejoice, you who grant unexpected joy to the faithful.

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

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

First prayer
Oh, Most Holy Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, the Patroness 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 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 beseech Thy Son and our God, so that all of us who worship with faith and tenderness before Thy celibate image will grant unexpected joy for each need: as a shepherd to the church - holy zeal for the salvation of the flock; 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; for those who find themselves in troubles and bitterness - a complete abundance of these; for the faint-hearted and unreliable - hope and patience; in the joy and contentment of those living - 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 - the return and renewal of the mind; those departing into eternal and endless life - memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, a cheerful spirit and firm hope in God's mercy. Oh, Most Holy Lady! Have mercy on all who honor Your All-Honorable Name, and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession; abide in piety, purity and honest living until their last death in goodness; create evil good things; guide those who are lost 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, invisible help and admonition were sent down from heaven; save from temptations, seductions and destruction; protect and preserve from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; floating float; for those who travel, travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; be the Cover and Refuge for those without shelter and shelter; Give clothes to the naked; for those offended and suffering from untruths - intercession; invisibly justify the one who suffers slander, slander and blasphemy; expose slanderers and slanderers before everyone; Unexpectedly grant reconciliation to those who are bitterly at odds, and to all of us - love, peace and piety and health with long life for each other.
Preserve marriages in love and like-mindedness; spouses who exist in enmity and division, die, unite to each other and establish an indestructible union of love for them; to mothers and children giving birth, grant permission quickly; educate infants, young ones to be chaste, open their minds to the perception of all useful teachings, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work; Protect from domestic strife and enmity of half-bloods with peace and love. Be the Mother of motherless orphans, turn them away from all vice and filth and teach them everything good and pleasing to God; those who have been seduced and fallen into sin and uncleanness, having revealed the filth of sin, bring them out of 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 a Christian end to our lives, painless, shameless, peaceful, and a good answer at the terrible judgment of Christ. Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, create with the angels and all the saints the lives; to those who died a sudden death, beseech the mercy of Thy Son, and for all those who have died who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer Book and Intercessor; may they lead Thee to heaven and earth as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the Christian race, and glorify Thee and Thy Son with Thee, with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer
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, Thy unworthy servants, offered up to You: and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Thy honorable icon every day, You did not despise, but You granted the unexpected joy of repentance, and through Your zealous intercession with Your Son for the forgiveness of the sinner Thou hast bowed thus, and now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, but pray to Thy Son and our God, and to all of us, with faith and tenderness before Thy celibate image, who, according to each need, grant unexpected joy: may all in heaven and on The lands lead You as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the Christian race, and this leading, glorify You and Your Son with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

TATYSIY

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

How does the icon of the Mother of God help? « Unexpected joy» ?

Any person can unexpectedly feel a bright, great joy if he goes to the world with an open, kind soul, completely pure thoughts, if this is a believer who has converted for the help you need to the healing icon. Believers consider the saint to be a real miracle. Icon "Unexpected Joy" with the image of the Mother of God. Believers in Moscow can see this holy image in the Temple of Elijah the Ordinary.

Believers love this miraculous icon. There is a lot of meaning here. On this shrine in front of the Mother of God the artist depicted an atheist. He sinned a lot. However, prudent new life this atheist began after he felt incredible repentance.

Mychange

If you remember wonderful story, associated with the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, then first of all the Most Holy Theotokos helps through prayer in front of this image in spiritual life, if a person does not have the strength to leave some grave sins, then he can receive help from the Mother of God. This help is limited only by the strength of your faith and the purity of your soul, the depth of repentance. You can ask the Most Holy Theotokos for anything, only on one condition - it must be for the benefit of you and other people.

Galina78

Icon of the Mother of God" Unexpected joy"they pray in case of illness, and parents also pray for children who are subject to bad influence from others or are in mortal danger. Desperate people pray in front of the icon to receive hope for recovery or deliverance from a terrible misfortune.

Unexpected joy symbolizes the highest miracle for Orthodox Christians, which they no longer hoped for in moments of despondency and decline mental strength. It is something unexpected, unpredictable, sudden. A believer turns to the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” when hope has faded and faith is not enough.

The shrine is shining example physical and spiritual rebirth, when a person, abandoning pride, comes to the Mother of God to thank for the joy given. The Most Pure Mother of God with the Lord Jesus Christ himself remind man of repentance. What is the significance of the icon of the Mother of God of Unexpected Joy, how does the face help and what are the rules for pronouncing prayer in front of it, read on.

The history of the miraculous image

The history of the appearance of the icon “Unexpected Joy” can be divided into two parts: the first is the appearance of the image of the Most Holy One with the Infant Christ to one of the ancient sinners; the second is the writing of a divine image.

The verbal image of the Saint was brought to life by the wonderful Russian saint Demetrius of Rostov in his work “The Irrigated Fleece.” He told in the book a story about a man who was greatly tormented by sinful passion - presumably fornication. The sinner knew what he was breaking church laws but, being a highly moral person, he constantly came to the face of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” to pray. He asked to forgive his sins, not to punish him for his weakness.

One day the man was again about to commit a deliberate sinful act, but before doing so he decided to pray at the image. He felt sincere repentance, tried to justify his destructive passion and asked the Most Holy One to keep him from rash actions. When the sinner was already leaving the shrine, he suddenly saw how the image of the Mother of God turned to him and looked at him. At the same time, blood began to flow from the Infant Christ’s wrists, ankles and side. The man was overcome with confusion and began to tremble. He asked the face: “Who did this to you, Mistress?” The sinner heard the Holy Mother’s answer that this is done to her by those who consciously follow the wrong path, committing sinful deeds. Each time the Jews crucify her son with their actions, but at the same time they want mercy and forgiveness from her.

The man repented and began to ask the Mother to forgive his actions. “Beg,” the Orthodox Christian began to repent. During the sinner's prayer, the Mother of God turned to her Son. The Infant Christ accepted the man’s petitions, forgave him, but insisted that he kiss his sores. At the moment when the forgiven one kissed the wounds on the body of Christ, he experienced joy and relief. The man received a chance from the Lord to change his life, to be cleansed from spiritual torment. Having found unexpected joy, he began to live according to God's laws.

This story for a long time had no visual embodiment. The image of this divine scene appeared only at the beginning of the 18th century and represented an entire iconographic composition. The icon in the lower left corner depicts a man kneeling before the image of the Virgin Mary and praying to her and the Child. Under the scene is usually written the beginning of the story by Dmitry of Rostov, the words “A certain lawless man...”, or part of the prayer to the face of “Unexpected Joy”. On the image are placed in the form of a ribbon the question of a sinner man to the Mother of God, the words of her answer, as well as what the Infant of God said. One of characteristic features face - on it the Most Holy One and her Child are depicted facing the petitioner.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon belongs to the “Guide” or “Hodegetria” type, that is, the one that leads to the Holy One. IN in this case The Mother of God is represented as a leader of people to Christ. It is her prayer for the suffering Orthodox that has highest value before the Lord. She becomes a guide, which is why sinners first turn to the Mother of God.

The veneration of the divine face takes place on May 14, December 22. The main shrine is kept in the Moscow Church of Elijah the Prophet. Several lists were copied from it, which have the same miraculous properties as the original.

How does an icon help, and who can turn to it?

A person in his life tends to follow an illusory hope. His essence is that he does not notice the small joys that make up his everyday life. Many people forget to sincerely and openly thank each day for the happiness of living, do not pay attention to loved ones, and demand excessive material wealth. A man cultivates obsession petty things that obscure his new day. The meaning of existence is instantly crossed out; an Orthodox person, captive of his emotions, lives in sin.

The meaning of the face “Unexpected joy” is in hope and admiration for God’s will; it also speaks of renunciation of immoral deeds and sinful thoughts. Every day a person should be grateful, peaceful and grateful.

It is difficult to pray in front of an icon, forgetting pride, envy, anger and bitterness. After all, these feelings overwhelm people, but the Mother of God teaches differently. This is daily work that requires the pacification of bad thoughts and criminal acts. People are weak - they are prone to sin, but the Intercessor allows them to receive forgiveness and open the way to the right path.

What is asked of the holy icon “Unexpected Joy”:

• About inner balance, spiritual strength that allows you to resist worldly temptations.
• About the fulfillment of the most secret dream, which they no longer hoped to realize. It's about exclusively about intangible things - forgiveness, repentance, salvation of a lost soul.
• Ask the face for healing of diseases, especially for diseases of the cardiac system and hearing loss. In this case, heart disease and deafness are associated with a loss of moral guidelines that manifest themselves at the level of the body.
• The Mother of God and the Lord help those who are looking for their loved ones. With a thin thread, the Family brings lost relatives to each other, restores trust in married couples with care. Many women turn to the image when their men are at war.
• The icon protects pregnant women. This helps them bear healthy children and give birth without complications.
• The meaning of the image lies in guidance on the right path and admonition. Therefore, parents whose children have gotten out of hand can turn to the Saint so that she can show them their way. There are cases when the most notorious immoral offspring realized their mistakes and confessed.
• The Mother of God resolves disputes, smooths out sharp corners conflicts, reconciles those who have long lost hope of forgiveness, and turns failures to a happy ending.

If a person asked sincerely, from a pure heart, freeing his thoughts from the material and mortal, then the Mother of God and the Lord will definitely help him. They will give such joy, the most amazing, which will become a reward for the suffering experienced and the repentance gained.

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

Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

Icon “Unexpected Joy” - history of origin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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