Among Christian icons there are little-known, there are widely popular. And besides, and such, the fame of which passes from generation to generation, from century to century. Basically, these are miraculous images of the Savior and the Virgin Mary - Our Lady of Intercession.
Image history
The icon "Unexpected joy" has a completely amazing story. It began with the fact that there once lived a kind of terrible sinner. Great were his atrocities, but not a bit of remorse in his heart. Moreover, before each crime, the sinner prayed to the Mother of God that she blessed his works. And then one day, having prayed, a man noticed that Christ had wounds bleeding on the icon. The sinner cried out in great horror, and the Mother answered him that the people were to blame, he himself, because they trample Christ, make him suffer even after the deed on the cross. Then, repenting, the criminal pleaded for forgiveness, the Mother of God stood up too, but the Lord was adamant. And when the sinner had completely lost hope, the Son of God had mercy. Joy, ease, incomparable, felt the recent blasphemer. He stopped sinning, began to lead an honest, righteous life. And in memory of the great miracle of rebirth, such a momentous icon “Unexpected joy” was written. Date of creation - about the 18th century. Source - spiritual stories and parables of
Dmitry Rostovsky, Russian saint.
Symbol Meaning
Let's think about the name of the image. What does the icon “Unexpected joy” mean, why “unintentional”? Tea - that is, wait, wait, hope. The “not” particle gives the word a negative connotation. That is, stop "chasing", despair, fall into grief, despondency, disbelief. But with the word "joy" the positive meaning of the phrase comes back. Therefore, the icon “Unexpected joy” means a sudden, unexpected, and from that even more valuable forgiveness, deliverance, intercession, help. Yes, of course, we are happy when expectations are met, when a bright streak comes in life. But we are even more grateful if this happens suddenly, as if from nowhere, like a real miracle. Isn't it amazing, wonderful, God's mercy? About the power of the Almighty and reminds us of the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected joy."
When to access the image
The image embodies the inexhaustible hope of the people for the intercession of higher forces. The fact that the Mother of God hears, sees, is imbued with understanding, compassion and will not leave in trouble, need, grief. The icon “Unexpected joy”, the photo of which you see, is traditionally depicted in two versions: on one, Christ in his mother’s arms hears the sinner kneeling, and below is the inscription - the beginning of this blessed story. On the other, the Baby is depicted with bloody wounds that opened as a sign of inconsolable sadness before human crimes. Before the image, everyone with the Lord is the last resort, who, except for God and the Holy Virgin, has nowhere else to go. And no one! Believers and sufferers receive an answer to their moaning and coming from the hidden depths - an unexpected joy! Getting rid of the twist, the grace of forgiveness, the successful resolution of affairs. Especially helps the image in the treatment of ailments - both physical, physical, and mental.
The Lord will reassure you!