Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God is an unexpected joy. Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her icon, called “unexpected joy.” Prayer “Unexpected joy”

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

O Most Holy Virgin, All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, Patroness of the city of Moscow, Faithful to the Representative and Intercessor of all who live 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 every day, You did not despise, but You bestowed unexpected joy on him and You bowed down Your Son with many and zealous intercessions towards Him. for the forgiveness of this sinner and erring one, so even now do not despise the prayers of us, Thy unworthy servants, and beg Thy Son and our God, and grant to all of us, who with faith and tenderness bow before Thy celibate image, unexpected joy for each need: to sinners , mired in the depths of evils 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 embitterment - a complete abundance of these; for the faint-hearted and unreliable - hope and patience; to those who live in joy and abundance - unceasing thanksgiving to 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 the mercy of the Judge. O Most Holy Lady! Have mercy on all who honor Your 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 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, those who find invisible help and admonition were sent down from Heaven; save from temptations, seductions and destruction; protect and preserve from evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; floating float; for those who travel, travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothes to the naked; for those offended and unjustly persecuted - intercession; invisibly justify the slander, slander and blasphemy of those who suffer; expose slanderers and slanderers before everyone; Grant unforeseen reconciliation to those who are bitterly at odds, and to all of us for each other love, peace and piety and health with long life. 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; to mothers and children giving birth, grant permission quickly; raise babies; For young people to be chaste, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching, instruct them in 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 every vice and filth and teach them everything that is good and pleasing to God, and bring those seduced into sin and impurity, having revealed the filth 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 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, with the Angels and all the saints, make them live, begging for the mercy of Thy Son to be merciful to those who passed away by sudden death, and for all the departed who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer-maker and Intercessor May everyone in Heaven and on earth lead You as a steadfast and shameless Representative of the Christian race, and, leading, glorify You and Your Son, with His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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The Icon of the Mother of God of Unexpected Joy and its lists represent a real miracle of physical and spiritual transformation. The image of the Saint has become a real symbol, which allows us to believe that everyone who turns to the Mother of God for help with pure thoughts and an open soul can receive bright and unexpected joy.

From this article you can find out what the image helps with, the meaning of the face, O what they pray to the icon of Unexpected Joy, when it is celebrated and more.

Some of the first mentions of the divine image appeared somewhere at the beginning of the 19th century, but the exact date when the image was painted remains unknown to this day. But as for the verbal image of the Saint, it appeared almost a century earlier than its present incarnation in the wonderful work of the Russian saint Dmitry of Rostov.

The book is based on an amazing story about a repentant sinner. As a rule, on the shrine the atheist is depicted standing before the face of the Mother of God, feeling incredible repentance and after which he received God's forgiveness and a chance for a new prudent life.

How does the Unexpected Joy icon help and its meaning?

Since some of the first icons, created in the 18th century, appeared, their miraculous properties began to spread. With the help of the image of the Queen of Heaven, various healings of weak and sick people took place, and one could protect oneself from all sorts of misfortunes by turning to the Mother of God in prayer.

The meaning of the icon Unexpected Joy

All human life consists of small joys that are not always noticed by people and, in pursuit of an illusory dream, they forget to pay attention to their loved ones and express words of gratitude to them. This is precisely why cherished dreams are not fulfilled, since they become an obsession, and this precisely does not give a person the opportunity to enjoy the new day.

Unexpected joy, the meaning and essence of her face carries hope in God’s will, as well as renunciation of immoral deeds and sinful thoughts. Gratitude should come from every day spent in peace and warmth. Repentance for bad thoughts and criminal acts, bitterness, envy and anger, which quite often overwhelm human hearts.

It’s not so hard to just come up and pray to the Holy Face; spiritual work, and daily work at that, will be much more difficult. When you need to learn to pacify your envy and pride, not to be rude, and also to know when it is better to remain silent, teach yourself calmness and self-control, but also not forget about a friendly attitude, both towards relatives and strangers.

People by their nature are prone to weakness and sin, and if you humbly come to terms with this and call for the help of the Intercessor, then even the most fallen of people can get a chance to be forgiven.

The divine image personifies the whole essence of spiritual transformation. Hard work on oneself and said prayers will allow a person to choose the right path, the path of goodness and love.

What to pray for to the Unexpected Joy icon

A prayer service before the divine image helps:

• Helps to gain inner spiritual strength and mental balance;
• Thanks to prayer, you can get everything that you have dreamed of for so long, but no longer hoped to receive, someone forgiveness, repentance or salvation of a sinful soul;
• The prayer service also helps in curing illnesses, especially hearing loss;
• Our Lady will help people who have lost their loved ones to find them and return them to their loving relatives;
• Pregnant women will be helped to bear a child and give birth to him healthy;
• For parents whose children have gotten out of hand and have also taken an immoral path, the image will help bring them to their senses and guide them on the right path;
• Resolves disputes, resolves conflicts, and seemingly failures can all turn out to a happy ending.

What a miracle the shrine performed

An ultrasound examination of Ksenia's unborn child revealed an accumulation of fluid in the heart. The expectant mother tirelessly turned to the Most Holy Theotokos in prayer and forgiveness. At the next ultrasound session, doctors discovered that the fluid had practically disappeared and that the child’s life was not in danger.

About a year ago, Alla’s nose began to hurt; no ointments or other medications helped. Having gone to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, the woman was given little of the miraculous image of the Mother of God. Afterwards, Alla began to regularly smear her nose with church medicine and at the same time read a prayer service, and very soon the wound completely healed and stopped hurting.

When is the day of celebration of the miraculous image of the Mother of God

The veneration of the divine image is carried out several times a year:

• May 14/May 1, old style;
• December 22/December 9, old style.

Which churches and temples have a divine face

The divine shrine can be seen in the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow. It was from this face that several images were written, which, like the original, are miraculous.

Every day a large number of people come to church who want to receive not only grace, but also forgiveness from the Lord. Orthodox people express all their doubts and worries in a prayer service.

Before the divine image one receives hope, peace, humility, intercession and admonition.

The image of the Saint can be found in the following churches:

• Unexpected joy in Maryina Roshcha is located in the Moscow Church;
• In the Grandmother's Church of the Martyrs Natalia and Adrian;
• There is also an image on Obydensky Lane in the Church of Elijah the Prophet;
• On the Pea Field in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord;
• On the Sands in the Church of the Transfiguration;
• In the Danilov Cathedral in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Word.

Prayers to the Holy Face

“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; for 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 - 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 Your all-honorable Name and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, observe them in goodness until their death; create evil good things; guide the erring one on the right path; Make progress in every good work that is pleasing to Your Son; Destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in bewilderment and difficult and dangerous circumstances, to those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from Heaven, save and save from temptations, seductions and destruction, from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float for those who swim, travel for those who travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothing to the naked, intercession to those 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 war, 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 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 the Christian death of our life, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ: having ceased in faith and repentance from this life with the Angels and all the saints, create a life; to those who passed away by sudden death, beg 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: that all in Heaven and on earth may lead Thee as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the race Christian, and, knowingly, 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".

Prayer for children

“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".

God bless you!

Complete collection and description: icon of unexpected joy, prayer in Russian for the spiritual life of a believer.

Prayers to the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

To the Mother of God and the Queen, chosen from all generations, who sometimes appeared to a lawless man in order to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer a song of thanksgiving to Thee, the Mother of God: But You, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to Thee:

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.

About the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

The history of this icon is told by Saint Demetrius of Rostov in his work “Irrigated Fleece”.

Prayer to the icon Unexpected Joy

Very often, when people are in a state of despair, they turn to the Mother of God for help. In the hope that they will receive the long-awaited help and they will have spiritual enlightenment that will show them the right path. The “Unexpected Joy” icon has a very strong effect on a person, bringing him balance and healing.

What do they pray for to the Unexpected Joy icon?

People who need help from higher powers can read a prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon and ask the Mother of God for the following:

• assistance in the birth of a child;
• about the gift of children;
• family reunification;
• pregnancy;
• happiness in everyday life.

Moreover, peasants very often ask before the face of the Mother of God for protection from people who want to harm them or are trying to slander them. It is believed that the Mother of God not only helps, but punishes people who try to do bad deeds.

How does the holy image help?

Most people suffer from various ailments and illnesses on the physical level, only because they have a lot of anger towards others, they suffer from constant envy of almost all people. At the same time, they simply do not understand that spiritual illnesses degenerate into physical ones.

Prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon gives people special sensations; those who sincerely believe in God, determine the direction in life, and acquire truly light and joyful emotions. Very often women ask Our Lady for a child, and if she lives her life correctly, then help will soon come. “Unexpected Joy” also helps in the return of her husband, who disappeared many years ago. There are proven cases of men returning after long years of absence.

When people simply asked for help in front of the icon, not with memorized words, but simply their speech was spoken from the heart and soul, then for some time those asking received what they asked from the Mother of God. Several options for how the “Unexpected Joy” icon helps:

• the shrine helps women who have been unable to get pregnant for a long period of time;
• helps parents who ask for help for their children who have gone astray;
• if people are constantly overtaken by failures, then bowing to this image, they suddenly begin to have a “white streak”, everything they do is doomed to success.

Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” for the gift of children gives many women the last opportunity to become pregnant and raise their long-awaited child. And, oddly enough, the Lord actually gives them a child.

How to pray correctly

Almost every woman on earth dreams of becoming a good wife and mother. Very often, in search of this happiness in life, they turn to higher powers for help. You need to ask in front of the icon from a pure heart and it should be a request, and not an instruction to the Lord.

If a girl’s intentions are pure and sincere, then there is no doubt that happiness will overtake her in the near future, and she will find a real, strong family. Moreover, you need to pray not only to achieve a goal, but also after a joyful event in life.

Text of the prayer to the Unexpected Joy icon for the gift of children

“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 Your all-honorable Name and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, observe them in goodness until their death; create evil good things; guide the erring one on the right path; Make progress in every good work that is pleasing to Your Son; Destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in bewilderment and difficult and dangerous circumstances, to those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from Heaven, save and save from temptations, seductions and destruction, from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float for those who swim, travel for those who travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothing to the naked, intercession to the offended and unjustly persecuted; invisibly justify the slander, slander and blasphemy of those who suffer; 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.

Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, create with the Angels and all the saints the lives; to those who passed away by sudden death, beg 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: that all in Heaven and on earth may lead Thee as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the race Christian, and, knowingly, glorify Thee and Thy Son with Thee, His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

The prayer to the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” for the gift of children is a very effective means of achieving this goal. You should constantly pray in front of this shrine and soon help will definitely come. It is also worth praying not only during failures and troubles, you can simply thank the Lord in prayer for everything that he has given you.

• Prayer to the Ostrobramsk Icon of the Mother of God
• Prayer to the icon of the Unfading Color - here
• Prayer to the Vladimir Icon - https://bogolub.info/molitva-vladimirskoj-ikone/

2 How it will help icon “Unintentional joy" 3 Why read the akathist icon. . Prayer before icon « Unintentional joy

icon"Three joys prayer one pious one.

Prayer Kazan icon . Prayer icon Unintentional Joy.

Meaning and Meaning icons All the Mourners Joy. Icon . Prayer icon Unintentional Joy. Akhtyrskaya icon Mother of God o...

6.1 Prayer Pochaevskaya icon icon. The history of the holy image. . Icon Mother of God " Unintentional joy" - Here.

2 How it will help icon “Unintentional joy" 3 Why read the akathist icon. . Prayer before icon « Unintentional joy“will help you see your sins if the voice of conscience has been drowned out.

This image is of Western origin, but it became famous in Russia. One of a kind name - icon"Three joys" - received according to a miracle that happened according to prayer one pious one.

Prayer Kazan icon- What helps is reading the text. No matter how difficult things are in life, people always turn to the Lord God. . Prayer icon Unintentional Joy.

Meaning and Meaning icons All the Mourners Joy. Icon designed for all grieving people, regardless of their place of residence. . Prayer icon Unintentional Joy. Akhtyrskaya icon Mother of God o...

6.1 Prayer Pochaevskaya icon Mother of God. 6.2 What you need to know about Pochaevskaya icon. The history of the holy image. . Icon Mother of God " Unintentional joy" - Here.

2 How it will help icon “Unintentional joy" 3 Why read the akathist icon. . Prayer before icon « Unintentional joy“will help you see your sins if the voice of conscience has been drowned out.

This image is of Western origin, but it became famous in Russia. One of a kind name - icon"Three joys" - received according to a miracle that happened according to prayer one pious one.

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Witch.net

On May 14, June 3 and December 22, the Orthodox Church celebrates the “Unexpected Joy” icon of the Mother of God.

The appearance of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” for every Orthodox person is one of the most striking examples of how the Most Pure Mother of God, and with Her the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, turn to a person with a call to repentance. With this call, the Mother of God once addressed a certain person - and since then she has addressed each of us through this image.

Finding the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

The story associated with the discovery and painting of the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” can be divided into two parts. The first is the actual appearance of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ to a certain man, which Saint Demetrius of Rostov described in his creation “The Irrigated Fleece” in 1683. And the second is writing the miracle that happened in an iconographic style.

One man was tormented by a sinful passion (perhaps the passion of fornication) and could not overcome it in himself. At the same time, he was an honest man and, realizing his passion, constantly resorted to the Hodegetria icon of the Mother of God - he cried, asked forgiveness for his way of life, for his weakness, and also read the prayer of the Archangel Gabriel: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you ..."

One day, when this man was once again preparing to commit a sinful deed, he began to pray, as usual, in front of the icon of the Mother of God. In his prayer, he repented for the fact that he could not stop himself from committing a sin, even knowing what he would do. At that moment, when he was about to leave, he was suddenly attacked by confusion and trepidation - the man saw that the image of the Mother of God on the icon turned its face towards him. In turn, the Divine Infant Christ, depicted according to tradition together with His Most Pure Mother, developed ulcers on his arms, legs, and also in his side. Blood began to flow from the opened wounds.

Struck by the vision that appeared to him, the man fell to his knees and asked the image: “Oh, Lady, who did this?” In response, he heard the words of the Mother of God: “You and other sinners are again crucifying My Son with your sins, like the Jews. You call Me merciful. Why do you insult Me with your lawless deeds?”

In repentance, the man began to beg the Mother of God: “O Lady, may my sins not overcome Your inexpressible goodness. You are the only hope for all sinners. Pray for me, Thy Son and our God!” Through the man’s prayer, the Mother of God turned to Her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, three times with a request to forgive this man. Only for the third time did the Infant God answer: “I fulfill Your request. Let Your wish come true. For Your sake, this man’s sins are forgiven. Let him kiss My wounds as a sign of forgiveness.”

Repentant and forgiven by the Lord, the man rose from his knees and, falling to the icon, kissed the wounds on the body of the Infant Christ. After this, he experienced a feeling of spiritual joy and relief. And later he completely changed his life and cleansed himself of the passions that tormented him. It was these sincere repentance, internal purification and newfound spiritual joy that became the reason for painting the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”. The details of the writing of certain images of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” have not reached us, but some of them subsequently began to be revered as miraculous, since prayers in front of these images resulted in healings from various ailments.

Iconography

The iconography of the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is based on the narrative that St. Demetrius of Rostov gives in his creation “The Irrigated Fleece.” The first part of the image is a man kneeling in front of the icon. His gaze and outstretched hands are turned to the icon. The figure of a man is placed in the lower left corner of the image.

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

Under the image of the Mother of God, one of two texts is usually placed - either the beginning of the story of the miracle told by St. Demetrius of Rostov, or part of the prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy”. The Infant Christ is depicted with open sores on his body.

According to tradition, the icon also depicts (in the form of a ribbon) the words of a man addressed to the Mother of God, and Her response to him, as well as the words of the Infant God. A characteristic feature of the icon that the man is addressing is that both the Mother of God and the Child of God are addressed directly to him. On the one hand, this distinguishes it from the classical image of the Virgin Mary “Hodegetria”, where the Mother of God bends over the Infant Christ. On the other hand, this reflects the miracle itself - the appeal of the Mother of God and the Son of God to a praying person.

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

Miracles and revered images of the “Unexpected Joy” icon

From the moment the story of the miraculous conversion of the Mother of God with the Child of God to a man obsessed with passion was described by Saint Demetrius of Rostov, Russian icon painters began to create icons depicting this miracle. Accurate information about the writing of this or that image has not reached us, but the history of some revered images (and the images themselves) has been preserved to this day.

One of the first revered icons of “Unexpected Joy” was the one that, since the 19th century, had been in the Moscow church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Burning Bush” in Khamovniki. In 1835, this icon was transferred to the temple according to the oral will of parishioner Alexandra Kunitsyna. Since 1837, the icon began to be glorified by miracles. One such miracle was witnessed in detail. In 1838, on the night from Monday to Tuesday of Holy Week, a certain officer’s widow, Anisya Stepanova, came to the house of one of the parishioners of the Church of the Burning Bush, Anna Timofeeva. This woman suffered from deafness for four months. She contacted doctors, but they could not help her. After spending the night with Anna Timofeeva, in the morning both women went to the temple to ask the priest to serve a prayer service. In the church, at the moment when the troparion “Christ is risen from the dead” began to be sung, and after that the troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos “Now a priest diligently attends the Mother of God,” Anisya Stepanova suddenly regained her hearing, which after this miracle was completely restored.

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

One of the revered images of the Mother of God, “Unexpected Joy,” was located in the Moscow Kremlin, in the small church of Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen. This temple was located near the Kremlin Church of the Annunciation. Before the 1917 revolution, many believers constantly came to the image of the Mother of God located in this temple. It is also known that the famous capital priest, Father Valentin Amphitheatrov, served in this church. This temple was destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1928, and the further history of the icon is unknown. There are several versions of her fate. According to one of them, the icon went to the Renovationists (it ended up in their Resurrection Church in Sokolniki), and from there, a little later, it returned to the Orthodox. According to another version, the icon from the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen is identified with the icon that was in another Kremlin temple - Annunciation (later moved to the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane).

Another revered pre-revolutionary image of the Mother of God, “Unexpected Joy,” was originally located in the Church of the Annunciation at Zhitny Dvor, which was located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. After the Bolsheviks destroyed the Kremlin Church of the Annunciation in 1932, the icon was moved to the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane. True, this did not happen immediately, but only in 1944. It is known that this icon was highly revered by Patriarch Pimen. This icon remains in the Obydensky Church to this day. It depicts an elderly man praying in front of the image of the Virgin Mary. Under the image of the Mother of God there is the text of the prayer: “O Mother of God, may our malice not overcome Your ineffable goodness. For you are the hope of all sinners; pray therefore for us Your Son and our God.”

Of the revered pre-revolutionary images of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, we can also mention the icon that was in the church in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates at the Myasnitsky Gate, as well as one non-Moscow one - from the village of Selgi, Simbirsk province. The history of these images, unfortunately, is unknown.

In addition to the already mentioned revered icon located in the temple of Elijah the Prophet, you can also venerate the miraculous icon located in the temple in honor of the “Unexpected Joy” icon in Maryina Roshcha. This temple was built in 1899–1904 with funds from residents of the area. In 1930, the temple was closed, the large bell was removed, and the remaining ones did not sound, as this was prohibited by the authorities. Currently, the main shrine of the temple is the revered icon of the Mother of God.

The revered icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” is also located in the Church of the Resurrection of the Word in Danilovskaya Sloboda. This temple was erected in 1832–1837 on the original site of the Danilov Monastery. In 1933, the temple was closed, and a production workshop was located on its premises. Services resumed only in 1989. This year the small consecration of the St. Nicholas chapel of the temple took place, and in 1998 His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II performed the great consecration of the restored temple.

Prayer before the icon of Unexpected Joy

Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God Unexpected Joy

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 the Son Thine, Christ our God, to save our souls.

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

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.

The angels and righteous souls were amazed when you appeared before your Son and God and interceded with many prayers for man, who is always in sin; But we, with the eyes of faith seeing Your great compassion, with tenderness we cry out to You:

Rejoice, you who accept the prayers of all Christians.

Rejoice, you who do not reject the prayers of the most desperate sinners.

Rejoice, you who intercede for your Son for them.

Rejoice, you who give them the unexpected joy of salvation.

Rejoice, saving the whole world through Your intercession.

Rejoice, quenching all our sorrows.

Rejoice, Mother of God of all, comforting embittered souls.

Rejoice, you who arrange our life well.

Rejoice, you who have brought deliverance from sins to all people.

Rejoice, you who brought joy to the whole world.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Seeing the Most Holy One, even if he is lawless, but every day with faith and hope before Her venerable icon, he casts himself down and brings the Archangel’s greeting to Her, and he hears such a sinner’s praise, and all, seeing Her motherly mercy, in heaven and on earth cry out to God: Alleluia.

Human reason truly surpasses Your love for the Christian race, for even then You did not cease from Your intercession for the lawless man, when Your Son showed You the wounds of the nails, the sins of men committed by Him. Seeing You as the persistent Intercessor for us sinners, we cry out to You with tears:

Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, given to us by God.

Rejoice, our Guide, who leads us to the Heavenly Fatherland.

Rejoice, protection and refuge of the faithful.

Rejoice, help of all who call on Your holy name.

Rejoice, thou who hast snatched away all those despised and rejected from the pit of destruction.

Rejoice, you who turn those to the right path.

Rejoice, you who drive away constant despondency and spiritual darkness.

Rejoice, you who have given new and better meaning to those who are dependent on illness.

Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into Your all-powerful hand.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

The power of grace abounded there, where sin multiplied, so that all the Angels in heaven rejoice over the one repentant sinner, singing before the Throne of God: Alleluia.

Having motherly mercy towards the Christian race, give a helping hand to all who resort to You with faith and hope, O Lady, so that with one heart and one mouth we all bring the praise of Tisitsa:

Rejoice, for through You God's favor descends upon us.

Rejoice, for through You we, too, are imams who have increased boldness towards God.

Rejoice, for in all our troubles and circumstances you offer your Son earnest prayers for us.

Rejoice, for you have made our prayers pleasing to God.

Rejoice, for you drive away invisible enemies from us.

Rejoice, for you deliver us from visible enemies.

Rejoice, for you soften the hearts of evil people.

Rejoice, for you have taken us away from slander, harassment and reproach.

Rejoice, for through You all our good desires are fulfilled.

Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son and God.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Having a storm of sinful thoughts inside, a lawless person prayed before Thy honest icon and, seeing the Blood from the wounds of Thy Eternal Son flowing in streams, like on the Cross, fell from fear and cried out to Thee with sobs: “Have mercy on me, O Mother of mercy, My malice will overcome Your ineffable goodness and mercy, for You are the only hope and refuge for all sinners; bow down to mercy, O Good Mother, and beg Thy Son and my Creator for me, so that I may continually call to Him: Alleluia.”

Having heard the inhabitants of heaven about the wonderful salvation of their dying earthly brother through Your prayers, they glorified You, the Blessed Queen of heaven and earth; And we, sinners, having experienced such intercession of a sinner similar to us, even if our tongue is perplexed to praise Thee according to our heritage, from the depths of our tender heart we sing to Thee:

Rejoice, Helper of the salvation of sinners.

Rejoice, recovery of the lost.

Rejoice, unexpected joy of sinners.

Rejoice, rise of the fallen.

Rejoice, Representative to God, saving the world from troubles.

Rejoice, for the voices of Your prayers tremble.

Rejoice, as the Angels rejoice at this.

Rejoice, for the power of Your prayers fills us, earthly creatures, with joy.

Rejoice, for with these you remove us from the mire of sins.

Rejoice, for you have extinguished the flame of our passions.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

You showed us the God-bearing star, the miraculous icon of Your Mother, O Lord, for, looking at the image of Her bodily eyes, we rise with our minds and hearts to the Primordial Image and through Her we flow to You, singing: Alleluia.

Having seen the Guardian Angels of Christians, as if the Mother of God was assisting them in their instruction, intercession and salvation, they tried to cry out to the most honest Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim:

Rejoice, reigning forever with Your Son and God.

Rejoice, you who always bring prayers to Him for the generation of Christians.

Rejoice, Teacher of Christian faith and piety.

Rejoice, Eradicator of heresies and pernicious schisms.

Rejoice, preserving temptations that corrupt the soul and body.

Rejoice, deliverer from dangerous circumstances and sudden death, without repentance and Holy Communion.

Rejoice, you who give a shameless end to those who trust in You.

Rejoice, even after death for the soul that went to the judgment of the Lord before Your Son, you never cease to intercede.

Rejoice, thou who by Thy maternal intercession delivers this from eternal torment.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

The preacher of Your wondrous mercy, bestowed on a certain lawless man, appeared Saint Demetrius of Rostov, who, writing off the great and glorious and fair works of God, revealed in You, committed to writing and this work of Your mercy for the teaching and consolation of all the faithful, and even these, in sins , troubles, sorrows and embitterments of those who exist, many times every day with faith in prayer they bow their knees before Your image and, having left those who are gone, cry out to God: Alleluia.

Your miraculous icon, O Mother of God, appears to us like a bright dawn, driving away the darkness of troubles and sorrows from all who cry out to You with love:

Rejoice, our Healer in bodily illnesses.

Rejoice, Good Comforter in our spiritual sorrows.

Rejoice, you who transform our sorrow into joy.

Rejoice, you who rejoice those who do not hope with undoubted hope.

Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher.

Rejoice, robe of the naked.

Rejoice, Comforter of widows.

Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans.

Rejoice, O unjustly persecuted and offended Intercessor.

Rejoice, O just avenger of those who persecute and offend.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Although the Lawgiver, the Righteous Lord Himself is the Executor of the law and shows the abyss of His mercy, bow down to Your fervent prayer, Blessed Mother of the Virgin, for the lawless man, saying: “The law commands, that the son honor the mother. I am Your Son, You are My Mother: I must honor You, listening to Your prayer; Be it as you wish: now his sins are forgiven for Your sake.” We, seeing such the power of our Intercessor’s prayer for the forgiveness of our sins, will glorify Her mercy and ineffable compassion, calling: Alleluia.

A new wondrous and glorious sign appeared to all the faithful, as if not only Your Mother, but also Her most pure face, depicted on the tablet, You have granted the power of miracles, Lord; Marveling at this mystery, with tenderness of heart we cry out to Her like this:

Rejoice, revelation of the wisdom and goodness of God.

Rejoice, affirmation of faith.

Rejoice, manifestation of grace.

Rejoice, gift of useful knowledge.

Rejoice, destruction of harmful teachings.

Rejoice, it is not difficult to overcome lawless habits.

Rejoice, you who give the word of wisdom to those who ask.

Rejoice, thou who workest with senseless understandings.

Rejoice, children, inconvenience to students, giver of reason.

Rejoice, Good Guardian and Mentor of Youth.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

A strange and terrible vision of a certain lawless man, showing him the goodness of the Lord, forgiving his sins through the intercession of the Mother of God; For this reason, therefore, correct your life, live in a manner pleasing to God. Sitsa and we, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, let us move away from earthly vanities and unnecessary cares of life, and raise our mind and heart to heaven, singing to God: Alleluia.

You are all abiding in the highest, and you have never retreated from the lower ones, Most Merciful Queen of heaven and earth; Even though, after Your Dormition, You ascended into heaven with Your most pure flesh, yet You did not leave the sinful earth, who are a Participant in the providence of Your Son for the Christian race. For this sake, we dutifully please Thee:

Rejoice, having enlightened the whole earth with the radiance of Your most pure soul.

Rejoice, who made all heaven rejoice with the purity of Your body.

Rejoice, the Providence of Your Son for the generation of Christians, Holy Servant.

Rejoice, zealous Representative for the whole world.

Rejoice, Thou who adopted us all at the Cross of Thy Son.

Rejoice, you who always show motherly love to us.

Rejoice, O unenvious Giver of all gifts, spiritual and physical.

Rejoice, blessings of the temporary Intercessor.

Rejoice, thou who openest the doors of the Kingdom of Christ to the faithful.

Rejoice, and filling the land with pure joy of hearts.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Every angelic nature was amazed at the work of Your mercy, Lord, for You have granted such a strong and warm Intercessor and Helper to the Christian race, I am present to us invisibly, but I hear You singing: Alleluia.

The Vets, who preach much, but are not enlightened by God, talk vainly, as if worshiping a holy image is like worshiping an idol: they do not understand that the honor given to the holy image ascends to the Primordial. Not only do we know this good thing, but we also hear from faithful people about many miracles from the face of the Mother of God, and we ourselves accept the worship of him in need of temporal and eternal life, and with joy we cry out to the Mother of God:

Rejoice, for miracles work from Your holy face.

Rejoice, for this wisdom and grace have been hidden from the wise and prudent of this age.

Rejoice, for she was revealed as a child in faith.

Rejoice, for you glorify those who glorify You.

Rejoice, for you put to shame those who reject You before everyone.

Rejoice, for you deliver those who resort to You from drowning, fire and sword, from deadly plagues and from all evil.

Rejoice, for you mercifully heal all the illnesses of mankind, mental and physical.

Rejoice, for through Your prayer you will soon satisfy the righteous wrath of God against us.

Rejoice, for You are a quiet refuge from storms for those floating on the sea of ​​life.

Rejoice, for at the end of our everyday voyage you will reliably lead us to the storm-proof country of the Kingdom of Christ.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Although you saved a certain lawless man from the error of his life’s path, You showed him a wondrous vision from Your most honorable icon, O Most Blessed One, and seeing the miracle, he would repent and, raised from the depths of sin by Your merciful providence, cry out to God: Alleluia.

Thou art a wall to the virgins, O Virgin Mother of God, and to all who flow to Thee, for the Creator of heaven and earth, who dwelleth in Thy womb and was born of Thee, reveal Thee, the Ever-Virgin, the guardian of virginity, purity and chastity and the vessel of all virtue, and teach Thee to proclaim to all:

Rejoice, pillar and fence of virginity.

Rejoice, invisible Guardian of purity and chastity.

Rejoice, kind Teacher of the virgins.

Rejoice, Good Bride, Decorator and Helper.

Rejoice, all-desired accomplishment of good marriages.

Rejoice, speedy resolution for mothers giving birth.

Rejoice, upbringing of infants and grace-filled protection.

Rejoice, you who gladden childless parents with the fruits of faith and the Spirit.

Rejoice, consolation to mourning mothers.

Rejoice, secret joy of pure virgins and widows.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Bringing all-congratulating singing to You, the unworthy, we ask You, Virgin Mother of God: do not despise the voice of Your servants, for we run to You in adversity and sorrow and before You in our troubles we shed tears, singing: Alleluia.

A light-giving candle, we dry in the darkness of sin and the vale of tears that has appeared, we see the Holy Virgin: for the spiritual fire of Her prayers, kindling instructions and consolation, leads everyone to the Unevening Light, the appeals of those who venerate You with these:

Rejoice, Ray from the Sun of Truth - Christ our God.

Rejoice, enlightening bad conscience.

Rejoice, foreseen secret and inconvenience that guides all good things and tells them as befits

Rejoice, you who disgrace false seers and vain fortune-telling.

Rejoice, in the hour of perplexity you put a good thought in your heart.

Rejoice, thou who abideth ever in fasting, prayer and contemplation of God.

Rejoice, you who encourage and admonish the faithful shepherds of the Church.

Rejoice, everlasting consolation for God-fearing monks and nuns.

Rejoice, unashamed Intercessor of sinners who repent before God.

Rejoice, warm Intercessor of all Christians.

Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Ask us for Divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, drive away every enemy and adversary from us, pacify our lives, so that we may not perish violently, without repentance, but accept us into eternal shelter, Mother of God, so that we may rejoice in God, through You. to him who saves us: Alleluia.

Singing Your ineffable motherly mercy towards lawless man, we all praise You, as a steadfast intercessor for us sinners, and we worship You, who prays for us: we believe and trust, as You have asked from Your Son and God for the good, temporal and eternal, for all, crying out with love Ti sitse:

Rejoice, all slander and temptations that come from the world, the flesh and the devil are trampled underfoot.

Rejoice, unforeseen reconciliation of bitterly warring people.

Rejoice, unknown correction of unrepentant sinners.

Rejoice, speedy Comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sadness.

Rejoice, you who provide us with the grace of humility and patience.

Rejoice, nationwide denunciation of perjury and unrighteous acquisitions.

Rejoice, thou who protectest the blood of the same blood from domestic strife and enmity through peace and love.

Rejoice, you who invisibly turn us away from destructive endeavors and meaningless wishes.

Rejoice, in our good intentions you have been a companion to the Helper.

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; 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 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

To the Mother of God and the Queen, chosen from all generations, who sometimes appeared to a lawless man in order to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer a song of thanksgiving to Thee, the Mother of God: But You, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to Thee: Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

Religious reading: icon of unexpected joy, prayer for marriage to help our readers.

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 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 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 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.

Prayer Unexpected joy: comments

One comment

There was a time when everything was bad, both in my personal life and at work. I once came to church and saw this icon, some kind of hope settled in my soul. I prayed in front of the icon for several weeks and noticed that my affairs were going well. But even after that I don’t stop praying to her. This prayer calms you down and gives you faith in yourself, instills hope that everything will be fine!

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

In times of weak faith, a person turns to God only after realizing the futility of his own efforts. It is not easy to beg the Lord, feeling the burden of sins on your soul. It is even more difficult for the prayer of one who does not want to see his guilt to reach Him. While waiting for repentance, the Lord hesitates in fulfilling requests and, surrounded by unsolvable problems, a person feels despair in his soul.

Despair is a terrible spiritual state inspired by demons. You cannot give in to this feeling, which entails disbelief and madness. In case of prolonged misfortunes, there is a last refuge for the sinner - the Most Holy Theotokos.

Wanting to show people the power of Her intercession, the Mother of God showed the Orthodox image of “Unexpected Joy.” The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” brings hope, strength of patience and fulfills petitions that seemed useless.

In what cases do you turn to “Unexpected Joy”

The image of “Unexpected Joy” is glorified by many miracles. To a Christian believer they do not seem incredible: mercy and love for the human race are common for the Mother of God.

The story depicted on the icon recalls the strong prayer of the Mother of God, overcoming even the righteous anger of the Lord. But to fulfill what is asked, one condition is necessary - repentance of sins.

The very name of the icon - “Unexpected Joy” - encourages people to turn to it in a hopeless situation. But the love of Christians for this image is so great that they flock to it with any requests, with confidence that they will receive what they ask for.

Important! It is traditional to pray before the image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in the following needs:

1. serious illnesses
2. family feuds
3. inability to have a child
4. in search of a spouse, etc.

Where to start a prayer

In a difficult situation, if you want to get what you ask for, you should follow a small but constant rule. Be sure to consult with a priest to be sure that the work you are starting is pleasing to God. The blessing received will give strength to carry out prayer work when demons begin to interfere, fearing to lose the sinner’s soul.

It is necessary to examine your conscience: remember unrighteous deeds that could bring the wrath of the Lord. Be sure to go to confession and take Communion. Without communication with the Church, prayer weakens many times over. It must be remembered that the sinner depicted in the “Unexpected Joy” icon received the Lord’s forgiveness only after sincere repentance.

What to pray for

Having received the priest’s blessing, you can order a prayer service to the “Unexpected Joy” icon. During prayer, you should distract yourself from your problems and try to understand the meaning of the words being spoken. The canonical (accepted in the Orthodox Church) text turns the mind of the person praying to the “root of evil” - unrepentant sins.

Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy”

Akathists are most often included in the prayer rule. They are read at home in front of icons; you can also do this in a church, where the atmosphere is more conducive to prayer. For individual reading of the akathist in the temple, choose a time when there is no service. It is better to read silently, so as not to interfere with someone else’s prayer.

Church prayer is much stronger than individual prayer. To participate in a prayer service with the akathist “Unexpected Joy,” believers make a pilgrimage to churches and monasteries where there are miraculous and revered icons. There you can hear many stories about miraculous help received from the Mother of God.

Often miracles from prayer go unnoticed: a person considers them an accident and does not consider it necessary to thank God and the Mother of God. The famous church pastor of the 20th century, Bishop Vasily Rodzianko, said: “They tell me: this is just a coincidence. Maybe this is correct, but when I stop praying, the coincidences stop.”

The Akathist “Unexpected Joy” consists of verses glorifying the Mother of God and setting out the parable on the basis of which the icon was written. It does not contain specific requests for the gift of children or a husband; the main idea is that the prayer of the Mother of God can do a lot for those who come to Her with faith.

Important! The text in Church Slavonic is difficult to understand, but constant reading reveals its meaning over time. Having taken the rule of reading the Akathist daily or on Sundays, you cannot deviate from your obligation during the entire time for which the prayer is intended. A request pleasing to God will certainly be fulfilled.

Prayer to the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

Prayers are added to the akathist or read separately. In it, the worshiper puts himself in the place of the sinner from the parable. Constantly sinning, he used to pray to the Mother of God daily. Likewise, the petitioner, although burdened with sins, should not retreat from the All-Merciful Lady.

The prayer of the Mother of God contains petitions relating to different areas of life. The reader asks not only for himself, but also for all those in need:

“... pray to Thy Son and our God, and to all of us... grant unexpected joy for every need.” The use of the plural is not accidental. This reminds the person praying of the duty of Christian love - prayer for others.

“Oh, Most Holy Lady! Have mercy on all who honor Your all-honorable Name” - these words remind us that the sinner was chosen by the Mother of God for a miraculous vision because he constantly called on Her in prayers. Although his sins wounded the Lord, for the sake of faith and repentance he became worthy of forgiveness.

“Keep marriages in love and like-mindedness; spouses who exist in enmity and division, die, unite them to each other and establish an indestructible union of love for them.” These are petitions for family integrity. It should be borne in mind that these words refer to prayer for faithful spouses.

Important! You should not dare to pray for a husband who has “left for another”: the Church does not bless preserving a marriage in the event of adultery. You also need to pray “for the return of the guy” with caution and thought, since choosing a life partner is a matter of God’s will; Christian “love spells” do not exist.

“Train up babies, teach chastity to young ones, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching” - the words of the prayer relating to the upbringing of children. It is difficult for parents to protect them from the “influence of the street,” but what is impossible for man is possible for God and His Most Pure Mother.

There is a lot of evidence of the help of “Unexpected Joy” in cases of infertility. For spouses who are unable to conceive a child, the resulting pregnancy is truly an “unexpected joy.”

“To those who died a sudden death, entreat Thy Son to be merciful” - an important petition to the Mother of God for those who died without repentance. Christians are most afraid of “sudden death,” when it is impossible to prepare adequately: to confess and receive communion. It is believed that God sends such a death as punishment for especially serious sins. But even in this case, the Mother of God can beg the Lord to grant relief to the soul of the deceased.

How else can you pray to “Unexpected Joy”

Akathist and prayer are used for church or home rule. There are short, easy-to-remember prayers to the Mother of God that should be known by heart and repeated mentally at work, in transport, in church in front of an icon. Simple texts can be learned with children.

There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope except You, Lady, help us! We hope in You and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed of Mercy, open the doors of mercy for us, blessed Mother of God, hoping in You, let us not perish, but let us be delivered from troubles by You, for You are the salvation of the Christian Virgin Mary, Hail, Blessed Mary, Lord with you! Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.

Prayer “Unexpected joy”

Prayer in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon is considered a very strong petition. First of all, it gives inner peace, and this helps a person begin to feel self-sufficient, which helps to become successful. It is noteworthy that before this image of the Blessed Virgin Mary there is no need to repeat the memorized text. Each time you can turn to the Mother of God with a specific request, the main thing is that it sounds sincere and comes from the depths of your soul.

Text of the prayer before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected Joy”

Prayer for conception and giving children

Women often turn to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon with a prayer for conception and the gift of children.

The prayer text in this case may sound like this:

Prayer for pregnancy and childbirth

Prayer for pregnancy in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon will allow you to safely carry a child and give birth to him. Also, the prayer appeal will help that in the future the woman will again have to experience the feeling of motherhood.

In this case, the prayer might sound like this:

Prayer for Marriage

Young girls who dream of marriage can turn to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon.

The prayer appeal is as follows:

How does the “Unexpected Joy” prayer help?

The icon “Unexpected Joy” was painted in 1683 by St. Dmitry of Rostov. This amazing image was created by him under the influence of all those miraculous healings that took place in the Chernigov St. Elias Monastery. From the first moments, the created Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos began to flow myrrh after another healing took place.

Today, prayers with a variety of requests are offered in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon. And if a prayer comes from the depths of the soul and sounds sincere, then it will certainly be heard and the believer will be given what he asks for.

Prayer in front of this icon gives a person peace of mind and fills the soul with joy. It allows a person to accurately determine his life desires and choose the right path to realize them. Many women prayed in front of this icon for the return of their husbands from the war during periods of terrible events. The prayer filled their souls with hope and soon their husbands returned to the family safe and sound.

Also a prayer before the icon “Unexpected Joy”:

• It is considered a consolation for parents whose children have wandered off the true path of life. He helped reach the hearts of his children and returned them to the righteous path.
• Helps in difficult life situations when there is no hope for a positive outcome.
• Capable of completely reversing a life situation, after which misfortunes for many people turned into real luck and joy.
• Gives happiness to motherhood and supports a successful pregnancy.
• Helps people return home safely from a long trip.

The prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon brings admonition to sinners. It removes anger, envy and hatred from the soul, filling life with new meaning. It also promotes healing from serious illnesses. Moreover, many people do not even think about the fact that they recover after their soul is cleansed of negativity.

For any troubles and adversities in life, you can turn to the Most Holy Theotokos for help before praying “Unexpected Joy.” She will definitely respond to your sincere plea for help and provide support. For example, her help will be very appropriate if you feel abandoned and are tormented by mental anguish, if you are constantly haunted by life’s troubles and you are tired of problems, if you feel absolutely helpless and your mind is overwhelmed by turmoil.

The Most Holy Theotokos, like a true loving mother, will console and reassure, and give strength to overcome obstacles on the path to the goal. It will help you rise after the fall and continue life with a clean slate. It should be understood that the Mother of God always accepts us as we really are, she does not punish or condemn. With this in mind, you should pray to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon in the morning and evening during difficult periods of life.

How to read the prayer “Unexpected joy” at home

There are no special rules on how to properly pray in front of the “Unexpected Joy” icon. It is very important that there is sincere faith in your soul, and that you really need help. You should pray sincerely, every word should be filled with the desire to resolve the current situation and the faith that the Most Holy Theotokos will definitely hear you and help you.

A notable feature of the prayer appeal is that it is not at all necessary to remember the words of the akathist, which is read by the clergy in the Church in front of this icon. This is a complex prayer text that must be said while standing. It is filled with words of gratitude, as well as a lot of words of praise and joy.

You can address the Most Holy Theotokos at home in front of this icon using arbitrary words. It is very important to accurately voice your desire and request. It is necessary to describe in detail everything that saddens your soul. An appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos should sound humbly and with love. Only in this case will real peace come to the soul. After prayer, life takes on new colors and a person gains the ability to realistically assess the events happening around him and make the right decisions.

Orthodox icons and prayers

Information site about icons, prayers, Orthodox traditions.

Prayer before the icon “Unexpected Joy”

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People turn to the Mother of God with prayer requests in sorrow and despair, which simply overwhelm the soul and no enlightenment is visible. The “Unexpected Joy” icon brings calm, peace of mind and healing.

Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy”

In the prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, people ask for:

• protection in everyday affairs;
• birth of a baby;
• long-awaited pregnancy;
• forgiveness of those mired in lawless deeds;
• family reunification;
• missing relatives.

In addition, they bow to the icon to the face of the Intercessor with a request to protect from people with evil intentions and from slander. The Mother of God protects, and severely punishes and denounces those who offend the person who prays.

Prayer to the icon “Unexpected joy” and what it bestows

Illness and disease bring with them spirituality, which manifests itself at the physical level, a complete loss of morality, anger, hatred and envy, which have firmly taken possession of a person. People who are blind simply cannot understand that spiritual and physical healing are interconnected.

This icon gives inner peace and joy, and helps believers determine the right direction of the path and find true joy. Women in front of this Holy image prayed for the return of their husband, who had gone missing many years ago in a war or during a journey. And they, in a very short period of time, returned to their families and relatives.

Prayer in front of the icon “Unexpected Joy” allowed people not to ask for help in a memorized form, but to speak with their hearts and souls, in which there was plenty of pain for each person asking:

• More than once, the shrine consoled parents whose children had wandered off the righteous path and gone into all sorts of troubles.
• The image of the Virgin Mary brings happy occasions even in situations where there is simply no hope.
• Bowing to the holy image, people became convinced that misfortune in a matter of days turns into real success and joy.
• In some cases, turning to the icon for help with a prayer for pregnancy, women lost faith in becoming a mother and took the child from the shelter, surrounding him with love, care and affection.

The “Unexpected Joy” prayer asking for pregnancy will provide an opportunity to gain an unforgettable feeling of motherhood. After a short period of time, the Lord blesses and the woman becomes pregnant. It is important not to reject your first child, but to raise him in love and treat him as your own blood.

Prayer for children

A large number of women simply dream of becoming a wife and mother. Usually women venerate the Holy Image, which gives them the opportunity to ask for marriage.

Prayers coming from the heart allow you to sincerely, without a hint of falsehood, ask the icon for a good husband and a real strong and warm family hearth. She helps in some way, and subsequently protects and protects the family from unfavorable people.

There is an Akathist to the icon “Unexpected Joy,” which means gratitude, which is pronounced in words of praise and joy. Women, every Sunday, sing the praises of the Saint so that in the future there will be children in their family.

After some time, their prayers for conception were answered. And after the allotted time, the prayer for the birth of a child confirmed the power of the icon and the Lord’s Blessing. The children were born healthy and Blessed.

Do not neglect icons and prayers. Seek help not only during times of grief and failure. Thank Him for your good fortune, success and blessings. Only then will he be able to help you and never leave you in trouble.

The prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” is very powerful. You need to pray standing, slightly bowing your head, and the words should come from the very heart, which is restless due to failure and adversity, with these words:

“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 Your all-honorable Name and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, observe them in goodness until their death; create evil good things; guide the erring one on the right path; Make progress in every good work that is pleasing to Your Son; Destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in bewilderment and difficult and dangerous circumstances, to those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from Heaven, save and save from temptations, seductions and destruction, from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float for those who swim, travel for those who travel; Be the Nourisher for those in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, provide cover and refuge; Give clothing to the naked, intercession to the offended and unjustly persecuted; invisibly justify the slander, slander and blasphemy of those who suffer; 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.

Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, create with the Angels and all the saints the lives; to those who passed away by sudden death, beg 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: that all in Heaven and on earth may lead Thee as a steadfast and unashamed Representative of the race Christian, and, knowingly, glorify Thee and Thy Son with Thee, His Originless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

God bless you!

Watch also the video story about the holy image of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”.