The Unexpected Joy Icon is a miraculous icon depicting the Mother of God. She is especially revered in the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more in the article!

Icon of Unexpected Joy: the history of occurrence

We cannot live without sorrows, but we also experience joys. And if in sorrow, abandoning the most urgent matters, we rush to the temple - to beg, to beg that this bitter cup pass us, in joy and thought we do not hold in order to rush along the same path - to thank.

In Moscow, not far from the Kropotkinskaya metro station, there is a temple of Elijah the Prophet. Many Muscovites call it Ordinary. Temple of Elijah the Ordinary. Why? Yes, now the word “ordinary” in relation to the temple surprises us, we have long and firmly put into it our meaning, far from the spiritual meaning. And our ancestors knew well what an ordinary temple is. This is a temple built in one day. Yes, yes, the whole world gathered while it was still dark, they quickly spread out, who, where, and - they built. By brick, by stone, by plank. And by the evening - Lord, bless us in Your new home!

So the temple of Elijah the prophet is also ordinary. And the lane on which the temple stands is also called Ordinary. In 1592, a wooden temple was erected on this site in one day. And only then, a hundred years later, stone. The Lord saved the temple of Elijah the Ordinary from the Bolshevik ruin, it did not close. “Petty hooliganism” marked him: they dropped the bells in 1933. That worked out. The temple became a haven for shrines from those churches that fell under the hot hand, the bad head and the empty heart of the builders of the new life. It was in this way that the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” ended up in the church of Elijah the Ordinary. At first it was placed in the Kremlin in the small church of Constantine and Helena Equal to the Apostles, then, after its destruction, it moved to Sokolniki, to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, and since 1944 - here, in Ordinary Lane.

The icon "Unexpected Joy" is very much loved. Flowers are brought to her, even those who happen to be passing through Moscow go to worship her. Unexpected Joy... It seems that everything is clear, and there seems to be some kind of reticence. And the history of this icon is as follows. There lived one sinner, he multiplied his days with indecent deeds, but, despite this, he always prayed before the icon of the Mother of God. Once again he got ready to sin and once again approached the icon. “Rejoice, Blessed One…” was all he had time to utter the words of the Archangel Gabriel. He paused, shocked by what he saw. Suddenly, the Divine Infant, Whom the Virgin Mary was holding, on her arms, legs and side, opened ulcers, the most real ones, began to bleed. The sinner, not remembering himself from horror, fell on his face, shouted:

– Who did it!

And he heard the terrible words of the Virgin:

-You. You, sinners, crucify My son, you offend Me with lawless deeds, and then still dare to call Me Merciful.

The sinner began to shed bitter tears.

“Have mercy on me,” the Mother of God asked, “forgive me, beg the Son for me.

The Mother of God immediately uttered a prayer: “Forgive all his deeds, as a deed.” Only the Eternal Son was silent, and the sinner rushed about in horror before the icon:

- Have mercy on me, please!

Finally, he heard the words of forgiveness. And he heard it when he was completely desperate, remembering the gravity of his sins. But God's mercy is infinite. The forgiven sinner rushed to the icon, began to kiss the bloody wounds of the Savior crucified by our sins. And he did not dream, and did not hope anymore ... And now she, an unexpected joy, visited his almost trembling heart. Since then, they say, he began to live piously.

This story was the reason for writing the icon "Unexpected Joy". It depicts a man on his knees. He stretches out his hands to the icon, on which the Mother of God holds Her Son on her knees. Below, under the face, the first words of the story telling about this are usually placed: “A certain lawless man ...”

Some kind of lawless person ... Isn't it about us? It seems that all of us, having strained our memory and not strained, can remember how not once or twice, but many times we sinned in big and small, while constantly justifying ourselves, finding the most convincing arguments, that there is no other way ... Of course, in the depths of the soul , the most hidden ones, we always correctly understand what is what. But what we understand ourselves, is it really necessary to declare to others? We do not know what kind of sin a person went to when he approached the icon for a blessing. For us, this is not so important, our own sins are more burning and unforgivable. But we are not always embarrassed by this, it seems that we know better what is useful for us, what is necessary for us, and we ask not to reason on good, but to give, give ... I remember how one Moscow pastor said in a sermon:

We are not asking, we are demanding. Lord, my will be done. Mine, not Yours, because I know better what I need.

Apparently, a sin, especially an unconscious sin, which for us is almost a virtue, and is capable of wounding the Body of Christ to the point of blood. After all, that “some kind of lawless man” also approached the icon to be blessed for sin. One offended woman recently complained to me about ... God:

“If you knew how I prayed!” She erased her knees in bows, she asked everything: Lord, do not allow my son’s marriage, he doesn’t need a wife like that, they won’t live, I feel in my gut. And he doesn't want to listen. How you prayed! On the eve of the wedding already, they buy vodka for the table, and I keep praying. Well, what's the point? Signed up…

“May my will be done…” A classic case when life is perceived by us without a doubt as normal, correct, healthy. There is no doubt that I know better what kind of woman my son needs, what profession my daughter needs, what brand of car my son-in-law needs. And we ask: support, Lord, my irrefutable arguments, tell them all that I am right. But the Lord is not in a hurry. Waiting. It is waiting for us to finally doubt our far-fetched, pernicious rightness, when our heart suddenly begins to see clearly. Then he will give a person unexpected joy. They did not wait, they did not know, but they are gifted!

“Unexpected joy” is an icon that calls us to work. Spiritual, prayerful labor. The results of that work will appear, oh, not immediately. We wash and wash them. It is not for nothing that prayer work is called a feat. “Work and pray,” the ancient ascetics taught. Always work and always pray. And we at least once, and if not, then "what's the point?"

But the icon is called "Unexpected Joy". And since it was unexpected, it means unexpected, unexpected, like snow on the head, like a golden ruble on the road, like a gift. Yes, unexpected, unexpected joys greatly decorate our lives. Sometimes it happens that even an unexpected call from a good person can rescue us from a state of protracted, exhausting depression.

“How I want to see you,” a good man will say, “I really need to meet you.”

And - miracles! Our tediousness (everything is wrong, everything is not like that) will instantly turn out to be trampled on by a healthy desire to push back the curtains, to go to the mirror ... Unexpected joy with a light step passed through a heavy soul, such a small, such an unexpected joy ...

How important it is to cultivate a commitment to such joy. She is in thanks. Don't forget to say "thank you". Indeed, when receiving a gift, even the most ill-mannered of us at least quietly mutters “thank you”. And unexpected joy is a spiritual gift. Thanksgiving for him is in prayer. “I don’t know a single prayer, I don’t know how to pray at all, I’ll go up to the icon and think: what should I do next? Well, I crossed myself, and then what? » The editors often receive such letters, and there is nothing surprising in that. We know English because we have completed foreign language courses, we can drive a car because we passed our driver's license exams, we know how to knit because our mother taught us, and we bake pies according to our grandmother's recipe. Nobody taught us how to pray. We are self-taught at best, ignorant at worst. But first, it's never too late to learn. Secondly, does the Lord need our lengthy speeches? "Glory to Thee, Lord!" - the shortest prayer in the world. It's already been learned. Pronounced with a repentant heart, it will reach “as intended” faster than a complete prayer rule from a prayer book rattled without feeling. But there is also a special prayer to the icon "Unexpected Joy" - an akathist.

What does the akathist teach before "Unexpected Joy"?

Akathist is a Greek word and it is translated as a hymn that is sung while standing. standing in front of the icon. Each holiday, each saint of the Russian Orthodox Church, each icon has its own akathist. This is a special kind of poetry. Let's open the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos "for the sake of Her miraculous image of Unexpected Joy." Here are just a few akathist lines: “Rejoice, Joy to the whole world, who gave birth. Rejoice, for you are quenching the flame of our passions. Rejoice, blessed temporary intercessor. Rejoice, giver of unexpected joy to the faithful. Akathist can be read at home. There are moments when the unexpected joy bestowed on us floods the soul with such light that our mouths begin to speak from the abundance of the heart. Here is the time to stand in front of the image and read the akathist.

If we look more closely at our life, we will easily find in it many reasons for unexpected joy. My son passed physics with a "four", but it seemed to you that even a three was a blessing, an unexpected joy. It rained for a week, and today the sun is in the whole sky - an unexpected joy. You picked up a tiny puppy who soon became your friend, your husband was unexpectedly given two (you and him) free vouchers to a sanatorium, but you never know ... Life is woven from small joys, half of which are accidental, there are so many reasons for thanksgiving. Another thing is that we don't have skills. We know how to ask, beg, cry in front of an icon; And teach children. After all, children need this science so much in life. An ungrateful person who forgets to thank his neighbor for mercy to him, will even more so forget about the highest thanksgiving. The recurrence of his bad memory will be his incapacity for heartfelt joy. And the inability to joy of the heart will become the cause of a bleak life, narrowed to the limits of earthly existence. What a chain reaction, what a strong bond.

The icon "Unexpected Joy" teaches us a grateful life. Before the face of the Most Holy Theotokos, each of us is pathetic, sinful and restless. And do not be ashamed of this, as a great shame. You must admit this and be inadvertently glad that you have been accepted, that now you have wide scope and unlimited possibilities before you. Remember, in the akathist? "Rejoice, giver of unexpected joy to the faithful." And not for those who, on a long marathon from sin to sin, suddenly make a zigzag towards the icon and, just in case, freeze in front of it in a minute pause. Faithful are those who have shown their loyalty both in deed and in word, and in hatred of sin, and in prayer. Help us, Unexpected Joy, to draw closer to the faithful. Give us strength and enlightenment.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her icon, called "Unexpected Joy"

Kondak 1

Chosen from all generations of the Mother of God and the Queen, who sometimes appeared to a lawless person, in a hedgehog to turn him away from the path of wickedness, we offer thanksgiving singing to Thee, Mother of God; But you, as if having unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call Thee: Rejoice, granting unexpected joy to the faithful.

Ikos 1

Angels and righteous souls were surprised when you appeared before your Son and God and interceded with many prayers for a man who is always in sin; but we, with the eyes of faith, so much Your benevolence is sighted, with tenderness we cry out to Tisitsa: Rejoice, receiving the prayers of all Christians; Rejoice, and do not reject the prayers of the most desperate sinners. Rejoice, intercessor for them to Your Son; Rejoice, giving them the unexpected joy of salvation. Rejoice, Thy intercession saving the whole world; Rejoice, quenching all our sorrows. Rejoice, Mother of all God, comforting embittered souls; Rejoice, you who arrange our life well. Rejoice, bringing deliverance from sins to all people; Rejoice, giving birth to Joy to the whole world. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 2

Seeing the Most Holy man, even if it is lawless, but every day with faith and hope before Her honest icon of the valley of the one who is thrown down and the Archangel greeting is brought to Her, such a sinner is also praised. : Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The human mind truly surpasses Thy love for the Christian race, as even then Thou hast not ceased from Thy intercession for a lawless man, when Thy Son showed Thee nail ulcers, human sins committed to Him. Seeing You as a relentless Intercessor for us sinners, crying out to You with tears: Rejoice, Intercessor of the zealous kind of Christian, given to us by God; Rejoice, our Guide, leading us to the Heavenly Fatherland. Rejoice, guardian and refuge of the faithful; Rejoice, help of all who call on Your holy name. Rejoice, thou who extorts the despised and outcast from the pit of perdition; Rejoice, those who turn to the right path. Rejoice, unceasing despondency and spiritual darkness drive away; Rejoice, who gave a new and better meaning to those who depended on an illness. Rejoice, accepting those left by the doctors in Your all-powerful hand. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.
Kondak 3
The power of grace abounded there, where sin increased; May all the Angels rejoice in Heaven for the one repentant sinner. Singing before the Throne of God: Allilua.

Ikos 3

Having motherly mercy to the Christian family, give a helping hand to all who with faith and hope resort to You, Mistress, and with one heart and one mouth bring Tisitsa's praise: Rejoice, as God's good pleasure descends to you; rejoice, for by you and we are imams, boldness that is greater towards God. Rejoice, as in all our troubles and circumstances bring to Your Son fervent prayers for us; Rejoice, for you also make our prayers pleasing to God. Rejoice, as 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, as if from slander, annoyance and reproach, you take us away. Rejoice, for through you all our good desires are fulfilled; rejoice, for your prayer before your Son and God can do much. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 4

Having a storm inside, having sinful thoughts, a person is lawless praying before Your honest icon and seeing the Blood from the ulcers of Your Eternal Son in streams, as if on the Cross, flowing, falling from fear and with a sob so crying to You: “Have mercy on me, O Mother of mercy, but not my malice will overcome Thy inexpressible goodness and mercy, Thou art the only Hope and Refuge for all sinners; bow down to mercy, Good Mother, and beg for me your Son and my Creator, let me call Him unceasingly: Halleluah.

Ikos 4

The celestials heard about the miraculous prayers of Your salvation of their earthly perishing brother, glorifying Thee, the compassionate Queen of Heaven and earth; and we, sinners, having known such an intercession of a sinner like us, even if our tongue is perplexed to praise Thee according to the heritage, from the depths of our touching heart we sing to Thee: Rejoice, guarantor of the salvation of sinners; Rejoice, Seeker of the lost. Rejoice, Unexpected Joy of sinners; Rejoice, rise of the fallen. Rejoice, Intercessor to God, saving the world from troubles; Rejoice, for the voices of Your prayers tremble with demons. Rejoice, for the Angels rejoice at this; rejoice, as the power of your prayers fills us with joy, earthly ones. Rejoice, for with those you take us away from the mire of sins; Rejoice, as you quench the flame of our passions. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 5

Thou didst show us the divine star - the miraculous icon of Thy Mother, O Lord, for, looking at the image of Her bodily eyes, with the mind and heart we rise to the Archetypes and by It we rise to You, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the Guardian Angels of Christians, as if the Mother of God assists them in instructing those, intercession and salvation, venturing out to cry out to the most honest Cherubim and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim: Rejoice, reigning with Your Son and God forever; Rejoice, you always bring prayer for the kind of Christians. Rejoice, Instructor in Christian faith and piety; Rejoice, heresies and pernicious schisms to the Exterminator. Rejoice, preserving from the temptations that corrupt the soul and body; Rejoice, from dangerous circumstances and sudden death, without repentance and Holy Communion, delivering. Rejoice, giving unshameful end to those who trust in You; Rejoice, and after death for the soul that departed for the judgment of the Lord before Your Son, relentlessly interceding. Rejoice, Thy Maternal intercession from eternal torment, delivering this one. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 6

The preacher of Your wonderful mercy, bestowed on a certain lawless person, appeared Saint Dimitry of Rostov, who, writing off the great and glorious and fair work of God, manifested in You, betrayed the writing and this work of Your mercy as a teaching and comfort to all the faithful, and even those, in sin , troubles, sorrows and bitterness of being, many times for every day with faith in prayer before your image, they bow their knees and, those who have escaped, cry out to God: Halleluah.

Ikos 6

Ascension to us, like a bright dawn, Thy miraculous icon, Mother of God, driving away the darkness of troubles and sorrows from everyone, with love crying out to Thee: Rejoice, our Healer in bodily illnesses; Rejoice, Good Comforter in our spiritual sorrows. Rejoice, transforming our sorrow into joy; Rejoice, rejoicing in hopeless hope with undoubted hope. Rejoice, feeder of the hungry; rejoice, naked garment. Rejoice, Comforter of widows; Rejoice, invisible educator of motherless orphans. Rejoice, Intercessor of the unjustly persecuted and offended; Rejoice, righteous Avenger who persecutes and offends. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 7

Although the Lawgiver, the Just Lord Himself be the Executor of the law and show His mercy to the abyss, bow down to Your fervent prayer, Blessed Mother Devo, about the lawless man, saying: “The law commands, but the son honors the mother. Az Your Son, You are My Mother: Az You must honor, listening to Your prayer; wake up, as if you were good: now his sins are forgiven for your sake. But we, seeing such a power of the prayer of our Intercessor for the forgiveness of our sins, let us glorify Her mercy and inexpressible goodness, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

A new wondrous and glorious sign has appeared to all the faithful, as if not only to Your Mother, but also to Her most pure Face, depicted on the board, You have granted the power of miracles, Lord; marveling at this mystery, in tenderness of the 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 soulful knowledge. Rejoice, deposition of soul-harming teachings; Rejoice, it is not difficult to overcome lawless skills. Rejoice, granting the word of wisdom to those who ask; Rejoice, mindless reasonable doing. Rejoice, child, inconvenient for students, giving mind; Rejoice, good youth Guardian and Mentor. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 8

A strange and terrible vision was to a certain person lawless, showing him the goodness of the Lord, forgiving his sins by the intercession of the Mother of God; therefore, for the sake of this, correct your life, live pleasing to God. Sitsa and we, seeing the glorious deeds and the manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, will eliminate earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares and raise our mind and heart to Heaven, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All abiding in the highest, and the lower did not retreat, O Most Merciful Queen of Heaven and earth; even more, according to Your Assumption, and ascended to Heaven with Your most pure flesh, both of you did not leave the sinful earth, being a Partaker of the Providence of Your Son about the kind of Christians. For this sake of Thee, we indebtedly please: Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the whole earth with the radiance of Thy most pure soul; Rejoice, having gladdened all Heaven with the purity of your body. Rejoice, Providence of Your Son about the kind of Christians, Holy Servant; Rejoice, zealous Representative of the whole world. Rejoice, having adopted all of us at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, always showing motherly love to us. Rejoice, all gifts, spiritual and bodily, unenviable Giver; Rejoice, blessings of the temporary Intercessor. Rejoice, opening the doors of the Kingdom of Christ to the faithful; Rejoice, and fulfilling their hearts on the land of pure joy. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 9

All angelic nature was surprised at the work of Your mercy, Lord, as if You had given so much a firm and warm Intercessor and Helper to the Christian race, who dwells invisibly to us, but I hear You singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Vetia is multi-talked, but not divinely enlightened, they talk about it, as if the worship of the holy image is like worship of an idol; they do not understand, for, as the honor rendered to the holy image, ascends to the Primordial. We do not only know this well, but we also hear from faithful people about many miracles from the Face of the Mother of God, and by worshiping him, necessary for temporary and eternal life, acceptingly, with joy, we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, for miracles work from Your sacred Face; Rejoice, for this wisdom and grace has been hidden from the wise and prudent of this age. Rejoice, as if you opened it as a baby in faith; rejoice, for you glorify those who glorify you. Rejoice, as you put to shame those who reject you before all; Rejoice, as from drowning, fire and sword, from a deadly ulcer and from all evil of those who resort to You. Rejoice, for you mercifully heal all the diseases of mankind, mental and bodily; Rejoice, for you will soon quench the righteous wrath of God on us with your prayer. Rejoice, for you are a quiet haven from storms floating on the sea of ​​life; Rejoice, for at the end of our worldly voyage you will reliably lead us to the unstormy country of the Kingdom of Christ. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 10

To save a certain lawless person from the delusion of his life path, Thou didst show him a wondrous vision from Your most honorable icon, Blessed One, yes, seeing a miracle, repent and, raised from the depths of sin by Your merciful providence, cries out to God: Halleluah.

Ikos 10

Thou art a wall to the virgins, the Virgin Mother of God, and to all who flow to Thee, for the Creator of heaven and earth, dwelling in Thy womb and born of Thee, reveal Thee, the Ever-Virgin, the guardian of virginity, purity and chastity and the vessel of all virtue, and teach You to proclaim: Rejoice, pillar and guardian of virginity; Rejoice, invisible Protector of purity and chastity. Rejoice, kind teacher of the virgins; Rejoice, good brides to the Decorator and the guarantor. Rejoice, all-desired fulfillment of good marriages; Rejoice, mothers of childbearing soon resolution. Rejoice, upbringing of babies and grace-filled protection; Rejoice, gladdening the fruitless parents with the fruits of faith and the Spirit. Rejoice, mothers of those who grieve, consolation; Rejoice, secret joy of pure virgins and widows. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 11

Singing all tenderness bringing Thee, unworthy, we ask Thee, Virgin Mother of God: do not despise the voice of Thy servants; we run to You in adversity and sorrow, and before You in our troubles we shed tears, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Light-giving candle, we dry in the darkness of sin and the vale of weeping that appeared, we see the Holy Virgin; the spiritual fire of His prayers, kindling instruction and consolation, leads to the Light of the Never Evening, the appeal of those who honor me with them: Rejoice, Ray from the Sun of Truth - Christ our God; Rejoice, enlightening an unclean conscience. Rejoice, secret and inconveniently foreseen, all good leading and befitting to say; Rejoice, deceitful seers and vain divination that puts to shame. Rejoice, in the hour of bewilderment the thought is good in the heart; Rejoice, in fasting, prayer and contemplation of the abiding, ever abiding. Rejoice, encouraging and admonishing faithful shepherds of the Church; Rejoice, eternal consolation of God-fearing monks and nuns. Rejoice, shameless Intercessor of sinners repenting before God; Rejoice, warm intercessor of all Christians. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 12

Ask us for Divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, reject every enemy and adversary from us, die our life, let us not perish fiercely, without repentance, but receive us in the eternal shelter, Mother of God, and rejoice we sing to God, by Thee who saves us: Halleluah.

Ikos 12

Singing unspeakable Mother Thy mercy to man is lawless, we praise Thee, as a firm Intercessor for us sinners, and we bow to Thee, praying for us; we believe and hope, as if you ask your Son and God for a good temporal and eternal good for all who cry out with love to Thee: Rejoice, all slander and temptations, from the world, the flesh and the devil who find, trampling; Rejoice, unforeseen reconciliation of the fiercely hostile. Rejoice, unknown correction of unrepentant sinners; Rejoice, quick Comforter, exhausted from despondency and sadness. Rejoice, providing us with the grace of humility and patience; Rejoice, perjury and unrighteous acquisitions, public denunciation. Rejoice, protecting from domestic strife and enmity of consanguinity with peace and love; Rejoice, invisibly turning us away from pernicious undertakings and senseless wishes. Rejoice, in our good intentions, dear to the Helper; Rejoice, at the hour of death, Helper to all of us. Rejoice, giving unexpected joy to the faithful.

Kondak 13

O All-Singing Mati, who conceived the inconceivable God in her womb and gave birth to Joy to the whole world! Accept the singing of the present, turn all our sorrows to joy, and deliver everyone from all misfortunes, and future torment, crying out about You: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer before the icon of the Virgin "Unexpected Joy"

O Blessed Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Benevolent Mother, the Patroness of this city and holy temple, all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses, faithful to the Intercessor and Intercessor! Receive this prayer singing from us, unworthy Thy servants, lifted up to Thee, and like a sinner of old, praying many times before Your honest icon every day, Thou hast not despised, but Thou hast given him the unexpected joy of repentance and bowed Thy Son to many and zealous to Him intercession for the forgiveness of this sinner and erring one, so now do not despise the prayers of us, Your unworthy servants, and implore Your Son and our God, and all of us, with faith and tenderness, bowing before Your wholesome image, will grant unexpected joy for everyone; for a sinner, mired in the depths of evils and passions, all-effective admonition, repentance and salvation; those who are in sorrow and sorrow - consolation; those who find themselves in troubles and bitterness - these perfect cessation; faint-hearted and unreliable - hope and patience; in joy and abundance living - incessant thanksgiving to the Benefactor of God; for the needy - mercy; those who are in sickness and long-sickness and abandoned by doctors - unforeseen healing and strengthening; who depended on the illness of the mind - the mind return and renewal; departing into eternal and endless life - the memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, the spirit is cheerful and firm hope for the mercy of the Judge. O Holy Lady! Have mercy on all those who honor Your all-honorable Name and show to everyone Your omnipotent cover and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, keep them in goodness until the end; do evil good; guide those who have gone astray to the right path; To every good work and to Your Son, please, advance; destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in perplexity and difficult and dangerous circumstances, those who receive invisible help and admonition from Heaven, save from temptations, temptations and death, protect and save from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float floating, traveling travel; be the Nurse who exists in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, wake up cover and refuge; Give a garment to the naked, intercession to the offended and unjustly persecuted; slander, reproach and blasphemy of the sufferer invisibly justify; slanderers and blasphemers clothe before all; give fiercely hostile unforeseen reconciliation and to all of us - to each other love, peace, and piety, and health with long life. keep marriages in love and unanimity; spouses, in enmity and division of being, die, unite me to each other and give birth to a quick permission, raise babies, young chaste, open their minds to the perception of any useful teaching, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and industriousness; from domestic strife and enmity, consanguineous world and love fence; motherless orphans wake up Mother, from all vice and filth, I turn away and teach everything good and pleasing to God, seduced and in sin and impurity fallen, having taken away the filth of sin, from the abyss of death lead; Wake up the widows Comforter and Helper, wake up the wand of old age; deliver us all from sudden death without repentance, and to all of us the Christian death of our belly, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the Terrible Judgment of Christ, grant; having reposed in faith and repentance from this life with the Angels and create all the saints of life; merciful life of Your Son, who died by a sudden death, beg for all the dead, who do not have relatives, for the repose of their Son of Your begging, Be yourself an unceasing and warm Prayer and Intercessor: yes, all in Heaven and on earth lead Thee, like a firm and shameless Representative of the clan Christian and, leading, glorify Thee and Thee, Thy Son, with His Beginningless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

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History of the icon

The appearance of the face dates back several centuries ago, at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The history of the appearance of this icon was based on the story of a man who, committing any sin, immediately went to the temple and asked for forgiveness from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Once, when a sinner was sincerely reading a prayer book, the Mother of God appeared before him, holding little Jesus in her arms, and whose whole body was covered with open bleeding wounds. The Mother of God explained that such wounds do not go away, because people continue to commit sinful deeds, and by this they wound Christ in a new way, causing suffering to him and her. The sinner began to pray even more diligently, and only after reading the third prayer did the Almighty grant him forgiveness, and the wounds of the child disappeared.

Since then, the sinner has completely changed his way of life. And his sincere repentance was called unexpected joy.

The icon represents the very essence of inner transformation. Hard work on oneself and uplifted prayers help people choose the true path of goodness and happiness.

Brief information about the emergence of the holy image

The icon was created at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
This image depicts a man who fell to his knees, who repents of his sinful deeds and prays for the forgiveness of his sins to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who stands with the Divine Infant in her arms.
The day of veneration of this face is celebrated not once a year, but several: on the ninth of December and the first of May.
The original of this icon is located in the Cathedral of the Prophet Elijah, which is located along Obydensky Lane in Moscow. Copies of this image are kept in many churches in Russia.
This holy image gives believers happiness suddenly, at a time when people no longer hope for anything and have lost faith in recovery. People regain their lost faith when they say a prayer before the icon "Unexpected Joy".

How does an icon help?

Praying for the message of help from the Mother of God, imprinted on the divine image, is necessary in such situations:
When an ear disease struck you;
If you have been diagnosed with infertility;
When your children have turned off the true path, and you want to help them return to the "right path";
When your loved ones died and it became a bitter loss that you constantly mourn and have lost the meaning of life;
When looking for disappeared relatives or friends;
You can also offer prayer in the face of "unexpected joy" in cases of serious illnesses.

Where is the right place to place the holy image?

If you want the holy face to always support you, you must choose the right place for its location in your home. The holy image must be hung in the most prominent place in the apartment.

However, there are places where it is strictly forbidden to place an image:
in latrines, for example, a restroom;
in places where all junk is stored;
it is also not advisable to hang an image in the corridor.

It should also be noted that when you turn to the Lord, it is better to do it alone so that no one interferes with you. The best place to place the holy face is your bedchamber.

And most importantly, this face should not be hung, but simply put on something. You can place it on a table, bedside cabinet, chest of drawers, or on a special shelf for holy images located at the right end of the bedroom.

In order for your prayer to reach the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is imprinted on the image, and for her to help you, you need to address your prayers to her in the proper way.
As already mentioned, it is better to say prayers alone.
You can pray twice a day in the morning, and before going to bed in the evening.
It is recommended that when reading the prayer text, light the purchased candle in the temple.
Among other things, it is necessary to follow and adhere to all fasts, not to sin and to say thanksgiving prayers to the Almighty for everything that you have, and in this case the Lord and the Virgin Mary will respond to your request.
You can say a prayer before the face of "Unexpected joy" in a special way, or you can use your own words. When you want to have children, you can turn to the Virgin with these words:
"Holy Mother of God, our All-Tsaritsa! Hear me, send me happiness, grant me a baby. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen!"

When they honor the miraculous icon of the Virgin

The celebration of the holy face takes place twice a year:
the fourteenth of May according to the new style and the first in the old way;
the twenty-second of December is the new style and the ninth is the old one.

In which cathedrals and churches is the Unexpected Joy icon kept?

The original relic is kept in the Cathedral of Elijah the Prophet in Belokamennaya, a couple of copies were made from this icon, which are also considered miraculous.

Every day, thousands of pilgrims come to the temple, who pray not only for grace, but for the forgiveness of their sins from the Almighty. Believers reflect all sorrows and hesitations in prayer.

Before the holy icon, the Orthodox are endowed with hope, calmness, patience, receive protection and guidance.

The divine image is kept in the following churches:
You can find unexpected joy in Maryin Bor, which is located in the Moscow Cathedral;
In the Grandmother's Church of God's saints Natalia and Adrian;
This face is also kept in the church of Elijah the Prophet, which is located along Obydensky Lane.
In the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord on the Gorokhove field;
On the Sands in the Church of the Transfiguration;
And in the Danilovskaya church at the Church of the Resurrection of the Savior

The meaning of the icon

According to church annals, this icon was created in the middle of the eighteenth century. And as mentioned earlier, the original divine image is now kept in the church of Elijah the Prophet on Obydensky Lane (Moscow). But the prayer before the face of "Unexpected Joy" can be read both in the church and at home. Icon painters believe that this icon belongs to the type of "Guidebook" - Showing the Way to the Lord. According to generally accepted church rules, the image is depicted as a face inside the image - the villain in front of the icon tremblingly bows before him, praying for forgiveness. Sometimes icon painters write the words of a prayer service near the sinner's mouth, depicting these words on special bright stripes. And under the image of the Virgin Mary, who holds the God-Child-Christ in her coat, there is a pardon story written in Church Slavonic text.

What is the meaning of the icon?

This relic was created to convey to every person this immutable truth: the Almighty releases and grants salvation to all who truly repent. It is noteworthy that a sinful act is not interpreted as an irretrievable fall into a vicious or dissolute life path, but is interpreted as a threshold leading to the confession and salvation of the soul. Any person can succumb to temptation, but thanks to the great atonement of Christ, each person received the ability to protect himself from temptation, be reborn spiritually and receive a place in Heaven.

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

The shrine is a vivid example of physical and spiritual rebirth, when a person, throwing pride, comes to the Mother of God to give thanks for the gift of joy. The Most Pure Theotokos with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remind a person of repentance. What is the meaning of the icon of the Virgin Unexpected joy, how does the face help and what are the rules for pronouncing a prayer in front of it, read on.

The history of the miraculous image

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

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

One day, the man was about to go on a conscious sinful deed again, but before that he decided to pray at the icon. He felt sincere repentance, tried to justify his pernicious passion and asked the Blessed One to keep him from rash acts. When the sinner was already moving away from the shrine, he suddenly saw how the image of the Mother of God turned to him and looked. At the same time, blood flowed from the wrists, ankles and sides of the Divine Infant Christ. The man was seized with confusion, he began to tremble. He asked the face a question: “Who did this to you, Mistress?” The sinner heard the answer of the Holy Mother that those who consciously follow the wrong path, committing sinful deeds, do this to her. Every time the Jews crucify her son with their actions, but at the same time they want mercy and forgiveness from her.

The man repented, began to ask the Mother to forgive his deeds. “Beg,” the Orthodox began to repent. During the prayer of the sinner, the Mother of God turned to the Son. The Infant Christ accepted the petitions of the man, forgave him, but insisted that he kiss his sores. At the moment when the forgiven kissed the wounds on the body of Christ, he experienced joy with relief. The man received a chance from the Lord to change his life, to cleanse himself from spiritual torment. Finding unexpected joy, he began to live according to the laws of God.

This story has not had a visual embodiment for a long time. The image of this divine scene appeared only at the beginning of the 18th century and represented a whole iconographic composition. The icon in the lower left corner depicts a man kneeling before the image of the Mother of God and praying to her with the Child. Under the stage, the beginning of the story of Dimitri Rostovsky is usually written, the words “A certain lawless man ...”, or part of a prayer to the face of “Unexpected joy”. On the image are placed in the form of a ribbon the question of a male sinner to the Mother of God, the words of her answer, as well as what the Divine Infant said. One of the characteristic features of the face is that the Most Holy One and her Child are depicted on it facing the petitioner.

The icon "Unexpected joy" refers to the type of "Guide" or "Hodegetria", that is, the one that leads to the Saint. In this case, the Mother of God is represented as the leader of people to Christ. It is her prayer for the suffering Orthodox that matters most before the Lord. She becomes a guide, which is why sinners first turn to the Mother of God.

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

How does the icon help, and who can turn to it

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

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

Praying before an icon, forgetting pride, envy, anger and bitterness, is difficult. After all, these feelings overwhelm people, but the Mother of God teaches something else. This is a daily work that requires the pacification of bad thoughts and criminal deeds. People are weak - they are prone to sin, but the Intercessor allows you to receive forgiveness and open the way to the right path.

What is asked of the holy image "Unexpected Joy":

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

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

Prayers are addressed to the Mother of God when despair and sorrow have overwhelmed the soul, when there is no hope for any other help. Healing, calming the soul is bestowed by the icon "Unexpected Joy". What to pray for her? What to ask the Most Holy Theotokos?

They pray for health and healing before the image. They ask for intercession in worldly affairs. Desperate spouses pray for the birth of a child, the onset of pregnancy. Forgiveness is asked by the proud, mired in lawless deeds. The missing relatives are asked about, the Mother of God is begging for family reunification. They ask for protection from evil people and slander. The poor receive help, and the perjurers receive a nationwide denunciation.

Sudden, joyful deliverance from troubles is given to people. Therefore, the miraculous icon "Unexpected Joy" is so revered by the people.

The history of writing an icon

In 1683 St. Dmitry of Rostov wrote the most amazing book in patristic literature. It was created under the impression of the miraculous healings that took place in the St. Elias Monastery in the city of Chernigov. And they were performed before the icon of the Mother of God in the 17th century. Before each new healing, tears appeared on the face of the icon.

The temple stood for a century. They did not destroy it even in Soviet times. Only in 1933 were all the bells dropped. This temple became a repository of icons and relics of those churches that were not spared by the Soviet regime. Those that were destroyed or converted into secular institutions. And so the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy” appeared in the church of Elijah the Prophet. The image, the whole composition of the icon exactly correspond to the work of Dmitry Rostovsky.

Days of celebration of the miraculous icon

The icon is celebrated twice a year. This happens on May 14th and December 22nd. In all your sorrows, you can ask for help and protection before the image. The icon “Unexpected Joy” is famous for its holy intercession before God. What to pray for her?

You can ask for protection from troubles and misfortunes, intercession for travelers on the road. Pray for health or a cure for an illness. In deprivation, for salvation from slander, you can ask for an image.

With the advent of the first icons created in the 18th century, the fame of their miraculous power spread. A variety of healings of the sick and infirm took place. Prayers before the icon helped desperate spouses in the birth of a long-awaited child. Those who had strayed from the path of righteousness asked for a return to spiritual wisdom.

The most important healing is the healing of the human soul, which is bestowed by the icon "Unexpected Joy". How does she help? In finding peace, self-confidence. A deep spiritual change is received by those who suffer in prayers before the icon. They gain hope and the ability to sincerely thank for the help.

In which temples can you find the icon "Unexpected Joy"

One of the shrines of Moscow is the icon "Unexpected Joy". It is located in the temple of Elijah the Prophet. From this image, several lists were made, which are also considered miraculous. Every day, people come to the temple who want to receive forgiveness and God's grace. They try to express their anxieties and doubts in words and prayers.

The icon “Unexpected joy” gives peace and hope. How does she help? Before the image, through prayers, admonition and humility, intercession and help are given. Before the icon, you can ask for help in earthly, spiritual, family matters.

The miraculous icon "Unexpected Joy" can be found in several

1. In the church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane.
2. In the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on the Sands.
3. In the temple of the icon "Unexpected Joy" in Maryina Grove.
4. Church of the Martyrs Adrian and Natalia in Babushkino.
5. In the Church of the Ascension of the Lord on the Gorokhove field.

How to pray to the icon "Unexpected Joy"?

There are no exact rules on how to pray to one image or another. You should ask for blessings from the priest before turning to the face. For each event, request, there are special prayers, canons. You can read the Akathist to the icon "Unexpected Joy".

The clergy say that if the text of the prayer is difficult to remember, then it is allowed to pronounce your own words. The main thing is that they come from a pure heart. It is important to tell the image about your troubles, your sorrows, not to be distracted during prayer by other things.

Humility and love must be converted. Then the icon “Unexpected Joy” will give consolation and hope. Its significance is great in the hearts of believers. The icon brings admonition to sinners, whose malice, hatred, greed outweigh all spiritual values. The weak are given strength, confidence in overcoming obstacles. Strong - humility, patience, protection from harmful undertakings.

What does the icon give

The loss of morality, spirituality manifests itself on the physical level. Anger, envy, hatred, having settled in the human heart, bring diseases and illnesses with them. People in their blindness do not understand that spiritual cleansing is directly related to physical healing.

The icon “Unexpected Joy” bestows inner joy and peace. How does it help believers? Find your true path, your purpose in life. Find an unexpected joy that you did not expect. At various times, women have prayed for husbands who have gone missing on a journey or in war. And they returned home.

It is necessary to tell the image what the soul is sad about. And then the miraculous icon "Unexpected Joy" will help. Prayer for pregnancy in front of the image more than once helped to get a long-awaited child. The Mother of God consoled parents whose children went down a sinful path.

An icon carries a happy occasion, even if there is no hope for joy. Even misfortune can turn into good luck - this is where the Unexpected Joy icon helps. will help to get pregnant or find a child who needs parental warmth and affection. It also happens like this: in despair, the spouses take the baby from the shelter, and after some time it turns out that the pregnancy has come. It is important here not to abandon the first child, but to love, educate and raise him as your own.

Akathist to the Icon "Unexpected Joy"

Each icon has its own Akathist. This Greek word means a hymn that is sung while standing. Akathist - laudatory, joyful words that convey the full power of gratitude. It consists of several prayers, they must be read while standing. You should know that the akathist does not serve in fasting.

It can be read every Sunday in front of the icon. In some cases, the Akathist is pronounced for several days in a row. Be sure to before reading you need to turn to the priest with a request to bless. The clergyman will tell you how many days, at what time the Akathist should be read.

The words of the prayer are pronounced directly in front of the icon. Akathist is one of the strongest prayer appeals. This is a request for help in deeds and sorrows, where the icon “Unexpected Joy” serves as the image of the Virgin. How does she help those in need? With troubles and grief, which are beyond the power of the human soul, they come to the icon. With requests for health, mercy, forgiveness, people turn to the image of the Virgin. The icon "Unexpected Joy" will save you from many misfortunes.

Prayer for health

Through prayers for health, healing is sometimes given from the most incurable diseases. There are facts according to which the icon "Unexpected Joy" gave deliverance from deafness. Prayer for the birth of a child will bring a long-awaited child. A successful resolution from the burden will be given by the icon of a young mother.

The image saves from mental ailments - it will support in despondency and longing, anxiety and despair. It will help in a painless death in case of a serious illness. He will send good spirits, protect from death without repentance.

Strengthening in faith, hope for mercy sub-icon "Unexpected Joy". Prayer for the gift of children will help bring an orphan into the house in need of love and care, or bring news of a long-awaited pregnancy.

Family Prayer

Through prayer for the family, family reunification is served, protection from hostility, violence, conflicts. Peace and harmony in the family is bestowed by the icon "Unexpected Joy". What to pray for? About what worries you the most. About what all thoughts are occupied with.

Assistance is given to needy families through prayer. Grieving mothers, widows - consolation. Concerned parents - instructing children on the path of righteousness. Prayer for the lost brings good news.

The return of relatives from the war zone or from dangerous journeys can be given by the icon "Unexpected Joy". will bring hope for love, happiness in marriage. The Most Holy Theotokos will protect from evil and unkind people, save the family. It will help prevent a divorce, enlighten relatives.

Prayer for children

Through the prayers of the Mother of God in front of her icon, a solution is given in difficult situations. The admonition is given to children and parents in difficult relationships. Reconciliation in quarrels, forgiveness of insults is carried by the icon "Unexpected Joy". Prayer to get pregnant will give hope or happy news of conception.

The Most Holy Theotokos will protect children from harmful thoughts, enemies, dangerous situations. Will give parents mutual understanding with children. It will help guide you on the path of blessed teaching, acquiring knowledge. Gives mutual respect to parents and children. Gives support and protection to children who are away from their parents (in education, military service, treatment, travel).

Assistance to poor parents for the development of the child can be given by the icon "Unexpected Joy". Prayer for pregnancy will bring news of its onset. Gives life to the fetus and healthy development. Only faith, humility will help to find out about the long-awaited pregnancy. If it does not come immediately after the prayer, this means that the time has not yet come, the parents are not ready for the birth of a child.

Hope daritikon "Unexpected joy". Prayer for children, reviews say that patience and faith in the will of the Lord will help you get through difficult times. They will set you up for a successful outcome of the case, help in the fight against despair, disbelief. There are known facts when a child was born to childless couples after prayers in front of the icon.

Prayer for earthly affairs

With prayers for earthly affairs, people come to the icon. They are given protection from secret and overt enemies, intercession for the offended, persecuted, suffering from untruth and gossip.

The poor, the needy, are given shelter and food through prayers. Oppressors and money-grubbers - a nationwide denunciation of their unrighteous deeds.

The icon brings unexpected joy in ordinary everyday situations. This is success in learning, praise from teachers and parents, the joy of health, daily well-being, when no one in the family is sick. This is carelessness when there are no serious difficulties and problems. This is the joy of first love and the peace of mind of spouses who have lived together for many years. This is the happiness of parents and children who rejoice at small victories and support each other. Jubilation from success at work, in creativity, when your favorite business is arguing.

Such simple daily pleasures fill the heart with happiness. True believers give thanks for every moment of peace of mind. When addressing prayers, it is necessary to remember that in caring for our souls, not only joys are sent to people, but also sufferings. Because the hope for God's help is an inexhaustible source for spiritual work.

Why do requests in front of the icon not come true?

It happens that a person prays for years in front of an icon, but his desire does not come true. What is the reason for this, why is this happening?

This may be due to the fact that a person is not ready to meet his dream in reality, will not be able to withstand its consequences. Or maybe it's just not the right time. “The ways of the Lord are inscrutable,” the clergy say in such cases.

You can't just ask and get what you want. There must be a work of the soul, a path to the fulfillment of a dream. Even the clergy, if they ask for something in their prayers, they necessarily impose a special fast on themselves, read the Akathist, the psalter. So the laity should limit themselves to excessive joy, excessive joy. Do not allow angry words and pride. With humility to accept the most difficult lessons of fate. Only sincerity, purity of thoughts will help to bestow what will be useful and saving for the soul.

It is not always possible for a person to understand why some wishes come true and others do not, why some people pray for years and do not get what they want, while others went to church a couple of times and received an answer to their request. The surprise of the suliticon "Unexpected Joy". The meaning and prayer of this image - gaining faith, hope for an unexpected event. Patience, humility of a person before the will of the Lord - this is the secret meaning of the icon.

The meaning of the icon

Life consists of small joys that a person does not always notice, forgets to thank for them, in pursuit of an unrealizable dream, does not pay attention to relatives and friends. Therefore, such desires are not fulfilled, because they turn into an obsessive thought that does not allow you to enjoy every new day.

The icon "Unexpected Joy" brings deliverance from pride. The meaning (in which it helps), the essence of the image is the hope in the will of God, the rejection of sinful thoughts, unworthy deeds. Gratitude for every day lived in warmth and tranquility. Repentance for lawless deeds and evil thoughts, in anger, malice, envy, which so often live in the human heart.

It is not difficult to approach the icon and pray. Much more difficult is the daily spiritual work. When you should remain silent, not be rude, pacify your own pride and envy. Accustom yourself to patience, calmness, a benevolent attitude towards strangers and relatives.

Weakness and sinfulness are human nature. If we acknowledge this fact with humility, ask for God's help, then the most fallen of people will receive the opportunity for forgiveness.

The icon "Unexpected Joy" is the essence of spiritual rebirth. With the help of prayers, tireless inner work on oneself, a person enters the path of goodness and love. This is the belief that the appeal to the Mother of God will be heard and rewarded with a bright event.

All those who with faith, love and humility prayed before the icon received their unexpected joy, forgiveness and grace-filled consolation.

Our sins and iniquities grew... The holy miraculous icons of the Queen of Heaven hid, and until there is a sign from the holy miraculous icon of the Mother of God, I will not believe that we are forgiven. But I believe that such a time will come and we will live to see it.
Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov)

There are not many churches in Moscow whose fate can only be envied. They passed the fires, they were not captured by the Renovationists, they were not closed, they were not rebuilt beyond recognition and they were not demolished. Like lonely candles, they stood in the midst of the revelry of atheism, gathering within their walls excellent priests and wonderful laity, helping them to survive and stand in the faith...

One of these temples is the Church in the name of the Prophet Elijah Obydenny in a quiet Moscow lane, Vtoroy Obydensky, not far from the revived Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Around - lovely noble mansions of old Moscow, which absorbed the comfort of the former patriarchal life of the city, when all the parishioners knew each other, went to visit each other, talked at the hospitable table. But the temple was the center of spiritual life.

The exact date of completion of the construction of the current stone temple is known - June 14, 1702. And earlier in its place was a wooden one, erected in one day. Hence the name "Ordinary". Such temples were erected in Rus', either asking the Lord for something very important, or by vow, in gratitude. The place was chosen well. Nearby is the Kremlin, along the river they drove the forest necessary for construction. Neither the date nor the circumstances of this are known; but by 1589 the wooden church of Elijah already existed. Even then, she was loved by both the tsars and patriarchs, and ordinary Muscovites: “on June 11, the sovereign [Alexey Mikhailovich] went for crosses [in a procession] to the prophet Elijah to the Ordinary, which is beyond the Chertolsky Gate, and in 7191 on May 14 day ... " Processions to Elijah the Ordinary were arranged not only on holidays, they often prayed for rain or a bucket.

In 1612, the Zemstvo militia of Prince Pozharsky stood near this temple. And by the very beginning of the 18th century, the current stone building appeared. An inscription has been preserved on the northern outer wall: “In the summer from the incarnation of God the Word of 1702, indiction 1, June 14, in memory of St. the prophet Elisha, this temple of the holy and glorious prophet Elijah the Ordinary was created under the power of ... Tsar Peter Alekseevich with the blessing of the most holy ruling Synod, a member of His Grace Stephan, Metropolitan of Ryazan and Murom, a duma clerk Gavriil Fedorovich, his brother commissar Vasily Fedorovich Derevnin ”; inside, on the wall of the refectory, there are two tombstones with the names of the brothers.

For more than a dozen years, the old Moscow intelligentsia, the descendants of ancient noble families, those who survived and survived without betraying either their faith or their Fatherland, have been flocking here, to Ilya Ordinary.

And the most remarkable thing is that "Ilya Ordinary" has become a refuge for many icons from the closed and destroyed Moscow churches.

This is how the miraculous “Unexpected Joy” came here. Its origin is not known for certain. Most likely, it was this icon that was in the Constantino-Eleninsky Church in the Taininsky Garden of the Kremlin, which was destroyed in 1928. From there she, along with many other shrines of the Mother See, came by a roundabout route to the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki, then one of the centers of the Renovationist heresy. When the godless authorities stopped supporting the Renovationists, their movement collapsed and icons from Sokolniki began to return to the surviving Orthodox churches in Moscow.

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

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

The first known references to the icon itself date back to the 1830s, however, the event that gave rise to its writing occurred at least a century earlier and is already described in the book Irrigated Fleece, compiled by St. Dimitry of Rostov. A certain dashing person led a sinful life, but was nevertheless reverently attached to the Most Pure One, praying daily to Her icon. One day, when he was about to “go for a sinful cause,” he prayed and suddenly saw how ulcers began to bleed on the Infant’s arms, legs and side, and the voice of the Most Pure One said: “You and other sinners again crucify My Son with your sins, like Jews. You call Me Merciful, but why do you offend Me with your lawless deeds?” The shocked sinner begged the Most Pure One for intercession, kissed the Savior’s wounds as a sign of forgiveness, and from that time returned to an honest and pious life.

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

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

The deceased was especially fond of this icon and therefore considered himself a parishioner of the church of Elijah the Ordinary, often coming here for the evening service. They say that once he saw this image in a thin dream, and when he first appeared in the temple of Elijah the prophet, he immediately recognized just such a list of “Unexpected Joy”.

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

Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov), one of the first hagiographers of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, at one time painted images of the Savior and the Monk, and the icon of the Savior was confiscated during the arrest of Vladyka in 1937 and no one knows how it got into the church after the execution of Saint Seraphim.

The temple gathered amazing people within its walls. Father Alexander Yegorov recently ended his earthly journey: how many people this truly Russian pastor nourished, how much wise advice he gave, how much love and consolation the parishioners saw from him ... Peace be upon him ...

Another locally venerated image "Unexpected Joy" has long been in the Moscow church in the name of the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" in Maryina Grove.

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

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

Troparion, tone 4

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

Prayer

O Blessed Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Benevolent Mother, the Patroness of this city and holy temple, all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles and illnesses, faithful to the Intercessor and Intercessor! Receive this prayer singing from us, unworthy Thy servants, lifted up to Thee, and like a sinner of old, praying many times before Your honest icon every day, Thou hast not despised, but Thou hast given him the unexpected joy of repentance and bowed Thy Son to many and zealous to Him intercession for the forgiveness of this sinner and erroneous, so now do not despise the prayers of us, Your unworthy servants, and implore Your Son and our God, and all of us, with faith and tenderness, bowing before Your wholesome image, will grant unexpected joy for everyone: a sinner, mired in the depths of evils and passions - all-effective admonition, repentance and salvation; those who are in sorrow and sorrow - consolation; those who find themselves in troubles and bitterness - these perfect renunciations; cowardly and unreliable - hope and patience; in joy and abundance living - incessant thanksgiving to the Benefactor God; distressed - mercy; those who are in sickness and long-sickness and abandoned by doctors - unforeseen healing and strengthening; dependent on the illness of the mind - the mind return and renewal; departing into eternal and endless life - the memory of death, tenderness and contrition for sins, the spirit is cheerful and firm hope for the mercy of the Judge. O Holy Lady! Have mercy on all those who honor Your all-honorable name and show to everyone Your omnipotent protection and intercession: in piety, purity and honest living, keep them in goodness until the end; do evil good; guide those who have gone astray to the right path; To every good work and to Your Son, please, advance; destroy every evil and ungodly deed; in bewilderment and difficult and dangerous circumstances, those who receive invisible help and admonition from heaven descend, save from temptations, temptations and death, protect and save from all evil people and from enemies visible and invisible; float floating, traveling travel; be the Nurse who exists in need and hunger; for those who do not have shelter and shelter, wake up cover and refuge; give a garment to the naked, to the offended and unjustly persecuted - intercession; slander, reproach and blasphemy of the sufferer invisibly justify; slanderers and detractors in front of all guise; give fiercely hostile unforeseen reconciliation and to all of us - love, peace, and piety, and health with long life for each other. Keep marriages in love and like-mindedness; spouses, in enmity and division of existence, die, unite me to each other and put them an indestructible union of love; grant quick permission to mothers of childbearing children, raise babies, young chaste, open their minds to the perception of any useful teaching, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and industriousness; from domestic strife and enmity, consanguineous world and love fence; motherless orphans wake up Mother, from all vice and filth, I turn away and teach everything good and pleasing to God, seduced and fallen into sin and impurity, having taken away the filth of sin, from the abyss of death lead; Wake up the widows Comforter and Helper, wake up the wand of old age; deliver us all from sudden death without repentance, and to all of us the Christian death of our belly, painless, shameless, peaceful and a good answer at the Terrible Judgment of Christ, grant; having reposed in faith and repentance from this life with the Angels and make life with all the saints; who died a sudden death, be merciful to be Thy Son, and for all the departed, who do not have relatives, for the repose of their Son of Thy begging, Be yourself an unceasing and warm Prayer and Intercessor; Yes, all in heaven and on earth lead Thee, as a firm and shameless Representative of the Christian race, and, leading, glorify Thee and Thee, Thy Son, with His Beginningless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.