Prayers always help believers. People turn to the Mother of God in moments of despair, when there is nowhere to get help. One of the icons that can help in healing and give peace to the soul is the icon of the Mother of God Unexpected Joy. Many people turn to her in the hope that she will provide joyful relief from troubles. This image is highly revered by the people.
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Historical facts about the miraculous icon
The first mentions of the miraculous image go back to early XIX centuries, but exact date The writing of the face is still unknown to anyone. This is one of the holy images, which verbal description appeared earlier than its incarnation itself. You can find it in the work of the Russian educator Rostovsky Dmitry, which he called “Irrigated Fleece.”
This book tells amazing story one repentant sinner. In the image of the shrine itself there is usually a sinner who stands before the Mother of God with a feeling of incredible repentance. After this, he receives God's forgiveness and a chance to start a new prudent life. In the work, the author also described twenty-four cases of miraculous healing.
Churches where the image is kept
Not all churches have the icon of Unexpected Joy. Photos of her can be seen on the Internet, but an image of her can be found in:
During the revolution of 1917, many miraculous images were exported abroad. But many were mercilessly destroyed. Fortunately, some of the icons have been preserved, and in certain churches you can see them with your own eyes and also pray to them.
The Temple of Elijah the Prophet is one of the places where various relics from those churches that were not spared by the Soviet regime are kept. Thus, the miraculous icon ended up there, which has been preserved there to this day.
The meaning of the shrine and its help
With the appearance of the first icons in the 18th century, their miraculous properties began to spread. Using the image of a saint Heavenly Queen Various unusual things happened. These included:
- miraculous healings of the infirm;
- recovery of patients;
- people tried to protect themselves from various misfortunes, etc.
For all this, people turned to Our Lady for help through prayers.
A person’s whole life consists of various small joys and victories. But they do not always remain noticed by people. In pursuit of an imaginary dream, they forget about the need to pay attention to loved ones and thank them for everything. Because of this they are not implemented cherished dreams. They, becoming an obsession, do not give a person the opportunity to enjoy the new day.
The essence of the icon is in hope of the will of the Lord and renunciation of sinful deeds and thoughts and immoral actions. The day should be spent in peace and gratitude should emanate from each day. It is necessary to repent of bad thoughts and criminal acts, bitterness, envy and anger, because they are so often present in the hearts of people and overwhelm them.
It is not difficult to pray near the holy face, but it is much more difficult spiritual work that is needed daily.
It is difficult to learn to pacify your own envy, pride, anger and other sins. You need to learn to restrain yourself and understand when it is better to remain silent..
You always need to be calm and restrained and remember to have a friendly attitude towards your loved ones and relatives and not only.
By his nature, a sinful person has a tendency to weakness, but when one treats this with humility and gets used to it, then, calling on the help of the Intercessor, even the most fallen person can deserve a chance to be forgiven.
The divine holy face represents the essence of transformation into spiritual sense . By working hard on oneself and one’s deeds, as well as reading prayers, everyone is allowed to choose the right path, where love and goodness will be present.
What can the “Unexpected Joy” shrine help with?
People are always interested in what prayers should be read in front of the icon of Unexpected Joy. You can pray to her for many things. You can select whole list problems with which people turn to the icon. What does it help with:
Icon of the Mother of God " Unexpected joy»
Akathist to the icon
Every believer knows that each icon has its own Akathist read. Akathist are words of praise and joy that can convey how strong gratitude is. Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos Unexpected Joy consists of several prayers, which are usually read while standing. It should be noted that the Akathist is not read on those days when church people keep the fast.
Usually the Akathist is pronounced on Sundays before the icon. However, there are days when it is read for several days in a row. Before reading, a blessing from the priest is required. He can tell you on what days you will need to do this.
Prayer words must be pronounced before the divine face. Akathist is considered one of the strongest prayer appeals. This is a kind of prayer for help in various matters, cases, addressed to the Mother of God, who appears in the form of the icon of Unexpected Joy.
The icon “Unexpected Joy” gives precisely joy, and when a person despairs of expecting changes for the better, when he no longer has any hope in his soul, and he does not wait, he only hopes for a miracle. And a miracle descends on him from this icon, and the prayer is given joy that he did not expect.
From what and how can an icon protect?
The main thing is that “Unexpected Joy” is able to hear and accept a prayer asking for help from someone’s deafness, however, it is absolutely true that this deafness is a physical disability. Spiritual, or mental, deafness is much more common, and it is this that is much worse than the disease. The prayer that is addressed to the Mother of God, and in front of the icon of “Unexpected Joy,” can protect against a number of misfortunes.
In order for prayer to reach the ears of the Lord, you also need to pray correctly. If you read just an empty prayer, you need to surrender with all your soul to the request and reject everything at that moment, so that the sound of the prayer goes up, ringing and clear.
If there are many sorrows in life, spouses are separated or relatives are lost somewhere, if they are haunted by deprivation and slander, all these situations can be destroyed by prayer to the “Unexpected Joy” icon. You just need to ask her and she will give you protection. And then the dangers will be avoided, those who have gone far, or those who have left, will be guaranteed a safe return to their native lands.
How can an icon help effectively?
Once upon a time, Marina Tsvetaeva wrote her “Poems about Moscow”, where she spoke about the gift of peace of mind by this wonderful icon, about finding spiritual strength within herself. If you pray earnestly in front of this icon and, according to the canons, you can get everything, and more often than not, something long-awaited that a person has already despaired of waiting for.
Parents can finally set their lost ones on the right path and help them turn off the vicious road. And even what the person praying is striving for, and what he is not, suddenly turns out to be exactly what he is not. That is, the failure was imaginary, and the failure to fulfill that desire or aspiration turned out to be a truly happy occasion.
If the prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon was said that someone had died on the thorny roads of war, then the information about the death might not be true, and the person would return home.
The main thing is that you need to ask for something that causes great sorrow in your soul, that prevents you from breathing and living normally. And when faith is already fading, “Unexpected Joy” will restore hope.
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 has a negative impact on 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. In front of the icon you can pray for different family problems, the main thing is to do it from the bottom of your 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 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. IN Once again intending 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 the reproachful words of the Most Holy Theotokos, pointing to lawless deeds, endless insults and sins of sinful people. These words affected 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 diseases, promotes imminent marriage, 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 close people gather at long voyage or traveling overland, their relatives begin to read a prayer appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos with a request 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 rejoice that you were accepted and opened up 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 this or that situation. For example, incurable disease, 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 with his lips every wound on the body of the Baby, 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, confusing 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 at war 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 desire 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 Those who want to preserve the sacred marriage union, instead of discussing problems with their friends, resort to the miraculous power of the icon. Any quarrels or grievances are forgotten between spouses, and peace reigns in the family. complete harmony and mutual understanding, harmony and peace.
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 you gain faith in your 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”
Quote from TATYSIY Read in full In your quotation book or community!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 related to 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, when praying for those sailing at sea or traveling on land in any difficult conditions, it is worth asking Her icon “Unexpected Joy” to protect them from danger, asking 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 expected to receive, each according to our own desire: for a priest it can be the repentance of a sinner in the flock and the salvation of his soul, for someone asking for the forgiveness of sins it can be forgiveness. It helps parents in cases where it is necessary to bring some sense to children who have lost their way or gone down a vicious path. At the request of people, someone finds lost loved ones, someone reconciles with someone with whom reconciliation seems impossible, and much, much more happens, even a seeming failure can turn into a happy accident.
It is believed that prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps in healing from diseases, especially those associated with deafness. Here, physical deafness is probably subconsciously associated among believers with spiritual deafness, with the loss of moral guidelines, which obviously manifests itself at the bodily level.
Also, prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected joy” helps to find just such a joy, the most amazing, because it is unexpected, sudden. It is known that during the Great Patriotic War many women in the rear prayed in front of this icon (there is information about this) for the missing men of their family, and others even for the fallen, after the funeral. And unexpected joy happened - the information about the death turned out to be erroneous, the fighter returned home. Many believers know: ask Her icon “Unexpected Joy” for everything that your soul grieves about, and She, the Intercessor, helps everyone who comes with faith and prayer, even in what seems almost impossible, returning lost hopes.
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 unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, and 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 other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we hope in You and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.
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 beg Thy Son and our God, so that all of us with faith and tenderness who worship 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; from all of us evil people protect and preserve from enemies visible and invisible; floating float; for those who travel, travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; be the Cover and Refuge for those without shelter and shelter; Give clothes to the naked; for those who are offended and suffer 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 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, 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.
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» ?
Suddenly feel the light great joy any person can, if he goes to the world with an open, kind soul, completely pure thoughts, if this believer who has turned 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. This holy image in Moscow, believers can see 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 we recall the 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. Holy Mother of God You can ask 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 susceptible to bad influence from the side or are in mortal danger. Desperate people pray in front of the icon to receive hope for recovery or deliverance from a terrible misfortune.
Among the holy miraculous icons of the Mother of God, the image of “Unexpected Joy” is especially revered. Prayer in front of this icon can help in the most difficult and hopeless life situations.
History of the icon
As the legend says, there lived one sinful and wicked man. From childhood, his parents taught him only one virtue - prayer in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary. Once again he approached the icon, when he suddenly saw that the Infant Jesus had bleeding sores open, and the face of the Mother of God was distorted with pain and grief. The young man exclaimed: “Who did this to the Son of God?” and in horror heard the answer of the Mother of God: “You and sinners like you. With your sins you crucify My Son again and again.”
The sinner fell prostrate before the icon and prayed for forgiveness of sins until he heard the voice of the Savior: “Now he is forgiven.” After that, until his death, he led a righteous life and said that he no longer expected to receive forgiveness for everything that he had done. It is this story that is captured on the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”.
Where is the image of the Virgin Mary located?
The location of the original icon is currently unknown. The earliest image is located in Moscow, in the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydenny Lane. Every day many pilgrims come to venerate the icon and pray for themselves and their loved ones.
Description of the icon “Unexpected Joy”
The icon depicts a sinner kneeling before the image of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus. On the bottom of the icon is written the beginning of the story of its appearance: “Once upon a time there lived one wicked man...” The depicted sinner prays to the Lord and the Mother of God for the forgiveness of his sins and the granting of a new, righteous and pious life.
What do they pray to the icon for?
Each person can pray to the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” and ask for deliverance from the burden of past mistakes, forgiveness and guidance the right path. According to the testimony of many pilgrims, prayer in front of this icon changes life in better side.
An example is the story of a pilgrim who in her youth terminated her pregnancy and, as punishment for this sin, lost the ability to have children. Many years of treatment did not produce any results. In desperation, the pilgrim came to the “Unexpected Joy” icon and fervently prayed, asking for forgiveness for a past terrible mistake. A year later, the woman gave birth to a long-awaited child.
There are many stories like this: people come to the icon and receive forgiveness of the most serious sins. Prayers before the image of the Mother of God can completely change the life and destiny of everyone who is sincere in their request.
Prayers to the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary
“O Lady, protector and comforter of the weak and sinful servants of God! By the power of Your love may my soul be healed, may I be comforted by my tears and find the path of true faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. O Merciful One, forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, let me be cleansed and filled with the light of the grace of Your Son and our Lord. Amen".
“Most Pure and Immaculate Virgin Mary, I humbly run to You and with tears I pray to You: quench my passions and turn away from me the temptations of the devil, driving my soul into fiery hell for eternal torment. May they not judge me with an unclean word or a sinful deed at the Great and Last Judgment but by Thy mercy and the love of my Lord. Amen".
This prayer can change your life path for the better and strengthen faith in God.
“My Most Blessed Lady, Helper and Intercessor, Most Pure Mother of God! Overshadow me, a sinful and unworthy servant of God, with the light of your Unexpected joy and give me the grace of the Lord’s blessing. Beg Your Son to forgive our sins and unworthy deeds, show us the path to true faith and allow us to humbly enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen".
What does the icon look like?
The image of the Virgin Mary “Unexpected Joy” has remained unchanged since its appearance. On some icons the sinner asking for forgiveness for his sins is depicted as young, while on others he is depicted as a mature and strong man of age.
The original image depicts the icon of the Mother of God on a larger scale, with the praying sinner in the lower left corner.
Subsequently, some icon painting schools more meaningfully they immortalized a praying sinner who atoned for his sins and witnessed a great miracle.
The day of veneration of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is June 11 according to the new style. There is no fasting on this day, but those praying for the healing of illnesses are advised to refrain from eating meat. We wish you happiness and peace in your soul, and do not forget to press the buttons and
Once Metropolitan Dmitry of Rostov in his essay told about a man who loved to pray at the icon of the Mother of God, and then went and sinned. It was this story that became the plot for the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”. Probably because many recognize their own habits in the sinner’s behavior, the image has become very revered in Russia.
What does one pray to the holy image for?
What do believers pray for at the “Unexpected Joy” icon? Based on the name, they ask the Queen of Heaven for the fulfillment of their deepest desires. Everyone has their own - a certain shepherd can pray for the salvation of an inveterate sinner, whom he no longer wants to save on his own. Someone is tormented by conscience: it seems to a person that his sins are so serious that he cannot expect forgiveness. And then, as a last resort, he comes to the Mother of God.
You can also pray:
- about those who have lost their moral compass;
- about help with hearing diseases;
- about reconciliation;
- about the return of the missing;
- about people who have fallen into despair (when they are overcome by sorrows and deprivations).
During the war years, women prayed for their missing husbands. It even happened that those who received funerals returned their loved ones with the help of the Almighty. The parents of those children who have taken the sinful path are looking for help - after all, they are doing everything possible, but their sons and daughters still stumble. Then joy seems like something unattainable, something that is forever in the past.
How the “Unexpected Joy” icon will help
The great poetess Marina Tsvetaeva mentioned the icon “Unexpected Joy” in her poems. How does she help that she has truly earned national respect? This can be understood from the name - joy can come through prayer. Joy about the salvation of loved ones. Isn’t it what everyone who has learned the real meaning of faith is looking for?
For a sinner, the most desired news may be the news of his complete forgiveness. When the realization of the gravity of one’s misdeeds comes, the pain that they caused to others, this burden becomes almost unbearable. But you can't let him crush you. We must seek consolation in prayer, because despondency leads to a dead end. You need to pray in any situation when a person cannot help himself or his loved ones:
- Separation from spouse.
- When someone spreads slanderous rumors.
- If relatives are on a sea voyage.
- The son is serving in the army.
It is never too late for a sinner to repent, even if he believes that his wrongdoings do not deserve forgiveness. You should not succumb to the tricks of the unclean - you must continue to pray. And that joy that was no longer expected will definitely happen - unexpected joy.
Why read an akathist to an icon?
A special type of church poetry is the composition of akathists. They are dedicated to different icons, but the structure is the same: short songs alternate with longer ones. The akathist to the “Unexpected Joy” icon is no different in form from the others. You need to read it standing in front of the image, preferably doing it out loud. In general, it is better to say all prayers out loud, not necessarily loudly or “with expression,” but so that the reader can hear himself.
The words of prayer have a beneficial effect on both the soul and the the surrounding atmosphere. It is not for nothing that in churches prayers are proclaimed and sung, and not read “to oneself.” Prayer teaches people to see joy in the most ordinary events. The sun came out and my son got a good grade. We must learn to notice all this, but not only that. Reading akathists teaches us to thank the Lord for every such joy. After all, the majority are accustomed to turning to God only with tears, requests, and persuasion.
The meaning of the icon “Unexpected joy”
At the end of the 17th century. Saint Demetrius wrote famous work, which told about the miracles that took place in the Elias Monastery (Chernigov). The author calls the hero of the story simply a lawless person, that is, one who did not respect God’s institutions. It is not said what kind of sin he was obsessed with; this silence was done deliberately. After all, otherwise everyone could say: “I am not guilty of this, so the story is not about me.”
The sinner was unusual in that he prayed every day before the icon of the Mother of God. But he did this out of habit, without delving into the meaning of the holy words: “Rejoice, full of grace!” How can the Mother of God rejoice if a person is mired in sin and is not bothered by it at all? To show the abomination of godless life, a miracle was performed. Not because the sinner was worthy of it, but for the edification and salvation of many.
The deep meaning of the “Unexpected Joy” icon is revealed only if the whole story is comprehended as a whole. Having risen, as usual, to pray, the sinner suddenly saw the Baby’s wounds open, from which blood gushed out. Such an experience in itself can kill a person. But the hero of the story enters into dialogue with the Mother of God. This, by the way, is graphically reflected in some versions of the icon.
To the question of who injured the Infant God, the answer was received that every day sinners crucify Christ anew with their godless actions. Each sin, like a nail, digs into the flesh of the Savior, makes his heart bleed, and the Mother of God suffers again.
The sinner turned to Saint Mary so that she would beg her Son to grant him forgiveness of sins. But the Mother of God was refused, and this happened several times. Then she fell on her face and said that she would not rise until the sinner received forgiveness. Here Christ yielded to the pleas. Then the repentant hero of the story began to kiss the wounds on the Savior’s body, then the vision stopped.
The deep lesson of this story is that the inveterate sinner immediately abandoned his previous affairs and spent the rest of his life as a Christian should. Every person knows and feels when he is doing wrong; for this you don’t even need to know the commandments, because the Lord wrote them in our hearts. Prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon will help you see your sins if the voice of conscience has been drowned out.
Where is the holy image located today?
Many miraculous icons were taken abroad during the revolution of 1917, and even more were destroyed by the godless authorities. But, fortunately, today believers can come to where the image of “Unexpected Joy” is located. The revered miraculous list is available for worship in the Church of Elijah the Prophet (Kropotkinskaya metro station). Here the hand of God saved him and others famous icons from extinction.
The temple is colloquially called the Ordinary. In the old days, this was the name given to churches that were built... in a day. The people gathered before dawn, and by evening they were ready new house God! This is how the Church of Elijah the Prophet was erected at the end of the 16th century. The memory of this is preserved in the name of the lane (Obydensky). Today, not only Muscovites come here, but also pilgrims from all over Russia. They bring flowers and their prayer needs to the Mother of God.
The temple in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” operates in Maryina Roshcha (metro station VDNKh or Rizhskaya). Another miraculous list created in the 19th century is kept here. The construction of the temple was completed at the beginning of the 20th century, before the revolution, construction was carried out with money raised by city residents. Land plot was donated. Above the main entrance is an image of a praying sinner. There are three altars in the church, and several more shrines with relics are kept.
The church also did not close, managing to survive the years of persecution of the Church and the faith of Christ almost without losses. Even the bells were preserved, but it was impossible to ring them. Today anyone can come here and pray at the miraculous image. The schedule of services is on the official website, as well as the opening hours.
The revered copy of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is kept in the Church of the Savior on the Sands (Spasopeskovsky Lane, Moscow). The temple is protected by the state as a cultural monument. He is the one depicted on famous painting"Moscow courtyard". The history of the church begins in 1642, it was a church in the middle of the Streltsy settlement. It was rebuilt several times and suffered from a fire under Napoleon - but was very quickly restored.
At the end of the 19th century. There were about a thousand parishioners, there was a school, a shelter for the poor, and there was a fight against drunkenness. After the revolution, the rector was arrested and the temple was closed. The building was looted, rebuilt for various needs, and the paintings were gradually destroyed. In the 30s, the church was recognized as an architectural monument, but the building was transferred to the Patriarchate only in 1991. A period of gradual revival began.
The unexpected joy of salvation
One of the most important lessons that a believer receives when contemplating the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is the endless mercy of the Lord. He is not turned away by the iniquities of sinners only if they experience sincere repentance. It is imperative to express it in prayer, no matter which icon it will be done in front of. This is how the relationship between God and man is built - first through word, then through action. Having admitted your sinfulness, you must leave your old habits. Only then can a person hope for the joy of salvation.
Prayer to the icon 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 implore 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 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, 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; 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 people, 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 every vice and defilement and teach everything good and pleasing to God; those seduced 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 death in our lives, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ.
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