✟ Prayers before the icon “Unexpected Joy” ☦

What does the “Unexpected Joy” icon look like? Date of celebration. Photo. Download for free

It is based on the story described by Dmitry Rostovsky in his essay. It is assumed that it preceded the appearance of the icon. Thus, one person who was involved in sinful deeds had the habit of often praying to the Mother of God. One day he accidentally saw the Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ appear. The Infant God was with her too. Christ had ulcers on his arms, legs, chest, and blood flowed.

Seeing this phenomenon, the sinner felt fear, but then asked the Mother of God why the wounds were bleeding. The Mother of God answered that people who do not have God in their souls, who commit atrocities, endlessly crucify her Son many times. Jesus' suffering is endless. The sinner immediately began to pray for forgiveness of sins, asking the Mother of God to intercede with the Son of God on his behalf. The Mother of God did not refuse the man, but Christ twice rejected her prayers.

Then the Mother of God already wanted to fall at the feet of Jesus when he asked what she wanted. The Ever-Virgin replied that she would fall at the feet of the Infant God until Christ forgives the sinner. To which the Lord replied: “The law commands to honor the mother, and the lawgiver must also fulfill the law, like anyone else. I must honor you by listening to your prayers." The sins of the person who turned to Jesus through the Mother of God were forgiven.

This vision didn't last long
but after it ended, the sinner changed his life, he stopped committing atrocities.

On the icon you can see an exact recreation of this part of the story, described by Dmitry Rostovsky: a sinner is kneeling in the room, he raised his hands up, calling on the Mother of God (her face on the wall), while the Ever-Virgin holds the Divine Infant in her arms. The position of the Virgin Mary matters: she bowed her head towards the sinner.

Jesus is depicted with his hands raised up. They show wounds and blood, just like the day he was taken down from the cross. Mother and son have halos. It also shows how the dialogue takes place between all participants in the image. It is believed that when the Mother of God asked forgiveness for the sins of this man, sudden joy descended on him. Accordingly, this is how the name of the Holy Face appeared.

There are different lists of icons,
they may differ in the size of the sinner and the Mother of God, Jesus.

In most cases, the person asking for forgiveness is depicted as very small, as a result, the Mother of God and Christ are shown larger, which can signify their greatness. Jesus is wearing torn clothes, like at the crucifixion. Most often he is depicted on icon copies with his head bowed. He, like the Virgin Mary, is turned towards the sinner, which indicates his readiness to forgive atrocities.

However, in some images the Son of God is shown with his head straight. Only the Virgin Mary addresses unbelieving sinners. Her head is bowed towards the person asking for atonement for sins. This means that the Ever-Virgin views those who commit atrocities with less severity. This case shows why people often turn to Christ through the Virgin Mary.

It helps to gain the Lord's forgiveness.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon is celebrated several times:

May 14;
June 3;
December 22.

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Where is the miraculous icon “Unexpected Joy”? How to pray?

There are a large number of lists that were created based on the prototype, but they are located in various holy places. The most revered holy images are kept in churches and monasteries:

Kremlin Church of the Annunciation;
Temple of Elijah the Prophet;
The miraculous list is located in the temple of the icon “Unexpected Joy”, located in Maryina Roshcha;
Church of the Ascension of the Lord;
Church of the Resurrection of the Word;
Temple of the Martyr Adrian and Natalia;
Church of the Transfiguration.

Below under the icon you can find the prayer of the Mother of God “Unexpected joy”,
it is short but succinct.

To receive what you ask for when turning to the Ever-Virgin and Christ, you must follow simple rules:

It is better to say the prayer text in front of the icon; if this is not possible, then it is read at home, for this the icon is placed on the table, and a church candle is lit in front of it;
privacy is recommended;
you need to concentrate on what words are spoken and what meaning is conveyed when praying;
automatic reading will not provide assistance in repentance, through which they receive the Lord's forgiveness;
when a prayer is read, the Virgin Mary should not be placed above the Lord, through her they ask for forgiveness for sins, but the Almighty forgives them;
You need to turn to the Ever-Virgin often, not only when there are no hardships in life, but if you do this only when problems arise, the Mother of God may stop helping, because in this case, the prayer to the icon “Unexpected joy” is taken as a manifestation of self-interest.

You can read the sacred text in a prayer book, but the collection is not always at hand. Then it is recommended to find a prayer online to read or download and then print. It is available on various free Orthodox resources.

How does the “Unexpected Joy” icon help? What are they praying for?

The main opportunity when turning to the Lord through the Ever-Virgin is repentance of sins, striving for a change in life. A person receives forgiveness with pure thoughts and strong faith.

It is also important to be ready to change your life, otherwise reading the prayer will be perceived as magic -
temporary relief of the state of mind in order to prolong life.

You can also ask the Virgin Mary for the birth of a child, getting rid of illnesses, strengthening the spirit, finding peace, saving the soul, or the squeak of missing relatives. The Mother of God can also help guide a child who has lost his way and help him return to God. In case of frequent disputes or conflict situations, they also turn to the Mother of God.

Miracles

The image of the Virgin and the Child of God became known as miraculous in the 18th century. Then evidence of numerous miracles began to appear: the icon helped in conception, the safety of the child in the womb during pregnancy. People regained health and found lost relatives. Miracles happen when you pray and turn to the Lord through the Ever-Virgin with a pure heart.

The meaning of prayer and how it helps

The prayer “Unexpected Joy” is read in front of the icon of the same name. The plot of the holy image reflects the legend of a man kneeling before the Queen of Heaven. The content of the legend is known from the work of Saint Dmitry of Rostov “Cheti-Minea” (Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslavl, years of life 1651-1709).

The work contains descriptions of the lives of early Christian saints, the history of the emergence of Orthodox holidays, and memories of the church about miraculous manifestations of God's Grace. The saint describes an event that happened in ancient times to a young man obsessed with carnal passions and vices. Out of habit, he prayed every day in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, without thinking about his lifestyle.

One day he turned to the holy image with ordinary words and saw with horror that the baby Jesus had visible bloody wounds on his arms, legs and ribs. Shocked by what he saw, the young man exclaimed: “Who did this?” The Mother of God answered him that people like him, sinners, crucify Christ again and again, inflicting bleeding sores on him.

The depth of the sinful abyss in which he was located was revealed to the young man. Kneeling down, he tearfully prayed to the Heavenly Queen and Savior and asked for mercy. The Lord forgave him through the prayers of the Mother of God. From that time on, the young man began to lead a pious life, thanking the Most Holy Virgin for her mercy until his death, since he no longer hoped to receive forgiveness of sins.

It is not known where and when the holy original was written. Each temple has a list of the holy image. Prayer before him has miraculous power if said with sincere faith. Examples of the miraculous power of the sacred image are given by Saint Dmitry of Rostov in his essay “Irrigated Fleece,” giving explanations for healings and expulsions of demons. Childless women especially often turn to her, begging for pregnancy.

Text of the prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos “Unexpected joy” for the gift of children in Russian

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, Thy unworthy servants, offered to You, and like the sinner of old, who prayed many times before Your honorable icon, You did not despise,
but You gave him the unexpected joy of repentance and You bowed down Your Son with many and zealous petitions to Him for the forgiveness of this sinner and lost one, so even now do not despise the prayers of us, Your unworthy servants,
and pray to Thy Son and our God, that He may grant unexpected joy to all of us, who with faith and tenderness worship before Thy celibate image:
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:
observe them in piety, purity and honest living until their 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, to those who find invisible help and admonition sent down from Heaven, save and save from temptations, temptations 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, teach chastity to young ones, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching, instruct 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 died a sudden death, beseech the mercy of Thy Son, and for all the departed, who have no relatives, begging for the repose of Thy Son, Thou thyself be a ceaseless and warm Prayer Book and Intercessor:
Yes, everyone in Heaven and on earth leads You, as a firm and shameless Representative of the Christian race, and, leading, glorify You and Your Son, His Beginning Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.

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Troparion, tone 4

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

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Video: Prayer to the icon “Unexpected Joy” for the gift of children, pregnancy, marriage

Text of the troparion and magnification

Today, believers, we spiritually triumph, glorifying the zealous Protectress of the Christian race and resorting to Her most pure image, we cry like this: O Most Merciful Lady Theotokos, give us unexpected joy, burdened with sins and many sorrows, and deliver us from all evil, praying to Thy Son, Christ God ours about the salvation of our souls.

We have no other help, we have no other hope, except You, Lady. Help us: we hope in You and boast in You, for we are Your servants; let us not be ashamed!

Read the akathist to the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”

A prayer of thanksgiving is often said by agreement. This is the name of an akathist that is read simultaneously by a group of people. This is done to increase the power of the prayer text. The akathist should be read by agreement, having previously agreed with the other members of the group about the start time of the prayer.

Kontakion 1.
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 Ty, the Mother of God;
But you, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to You:
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Ikos 1.
The angels and righteous souls were surprised when you appeared before your Son and God and with many prayers you interceded for a man who was always in sin;
But we, with the eyes of faith seeing such great compassion of Yours, 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 all Gods, comforting embittered souls; Rejoice, thou who arranges our life well.
Rejoice, you who brought deliverance from sins to all people; Rejoice, you who gave birth to joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 2.
Seeing the Most Holy Man, even if he is lawless, but every day with faith and hope before Her honorable icon, he who casts himself down and brings the Archangel’s greeting to Her, heeds such a sin a hymn of praise, so that everyone, seeing Her motherly mercy, in Heaven and on earth, cries out to God: Alleluia.

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Ikos 2.
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 me to You The sounds of nails, the sins of men committed to Him.
Seeing You as the relentless Representative 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, you who consume 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 been waiting for a new mind and a better meaning from illness.
Rejoice, you who receive those left by doctors into your omnipotent hands.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 3.
The power of grace abounded there, even as sin increased; May all the Angels in Heaven rejoice over the one sinner who has repented, singing before the Throne of God: Alleluia.

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Ikos 3.
Having the most maternal mercy for 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 the praise may be received They say Tisitsevoe:
Rejoice, for through You God's favor descends upon us; Rejoice, for through You we, too, are imams who have boldness towards God.
Rejoice, for in all our troubles and circumstances you offer earnest prayers for us to Your Son; Rejoice, for you have made our prayers pleasing to God.
Rejoice, for you drive away invisible enemies from us; Rejoice, for you are delivering us from visible enemies.
Rejoice, for you soften the hearts of evil people; Rejoice, for you have taken us away from slander, annoyance 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.

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Kontakion 4.
A storm within, having sinful thoughts, man lawlessly prays before Your honest icon and, seeing the Blood from the wounds of Your Eternal Son flowing in streams, like on the Cross, I fell from fear and cried out to Ty with sobs:
“Have mercy on me, O Mother of mercy, may my malice not 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 pray for me to Your Son and my Creator, so that I may continually call to Him: Alleluia.”

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Ikos 4.
Having heard the inhabitants of heaven about the miraculous salvation of their dying earthly brother through Your prayers, they glorified You, the gracious Queen of Heaven and earth; And we, sinners, having experienced such intercession of a sinner like us, even though 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, Seeker 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, earth-born creatures, with joy.
Rejoice, for with these you take us away from the mire of sins; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the flame of our passions.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 5.
You showed us the divine 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 Images and through Her we ascend to You We eat and sing: Alleluia.

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Ikos 5.
Having seen the Guardian Angels of Christians, the Mother of God assists them in instructing those, interceding and saving them, trying to cry out to the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious Without Comparison of Brimstone fim:
Rejoice, you who reign 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 destructive schisms.
Rejoice, preserving temptations that corrupt the soul and body; Rejoice, you who deliver us from dangerous circumstances and sudden death without repentance and Holy Communion.
Rejoice, you who give a shameless end to those who trust in Thee; Rejoice, even after death for the soul that has gone to the judgment of the Lord, you never cease to intercede before Your Son.
Rejoice, by Your Mother’s intercession you deliver this from eternal torment.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 6.
The preacher of Your wonderful mercy, bestowed on a certain lawless person, appeared Saint Demetrius of Rostov, who, having written off the great and glorious, and fair works of God, appeared in You linen, committed to writing and this work of Thy mercy for teaching and consolation to all the faithful, and even to you, in sins, troubles, sorrows and embitterments of beings, many times every day with faith in prayer before Your image they bow their knees and, having forgotten those, they cry out to God: Alleluia.

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Ikos 6.
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 Tice 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 bring joy to those who have no hope with undoubted hope.
Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher; Rejoice, naked garment.
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.

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Kontakion 7.
Although the Lawgiver, the Righteous Lord, Himself be the Executor of the law and show His mercy into the abyss, bow down to Your fervent prayer, Blessed Mother of the Virgin, for the lawless man, verb:
“The law commands that the son honor his mother. Az Your Son, You are My Mother: Az must honor You by listening to Your prayer; Do as you wish: now his sins for Your sake are forgiven.”
We, seeing such the power of the prayer of our Intercessor for the forgiveness of our sins, let us glorify Her mercy and ineffable compassion, calling: Alleluia.

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Ikos 7.
A new wondrous and glorious sign has appeared to all the faithful, as not only to Your Mother, but also to the most pure Face of Her, depicted on the tablet, You have granted the power of miracles, O Lord; Marveling at this mystery, in the tenderness of our hearts 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, overthrow of harmful teachings; Rejoice, it is not difficult to overcome illegal skills.
Rejoice, you who give the word of wisdom to those who ask; Rejoice, you who makes the foolish understanding.
Rejoice, children, inconvenience for students, giver of reason; Rejoice, guardian and mentor of good youth.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 8.
A strange and terrible vision occurred to a certain lawless man, showing him the goodness of the Lord, who forgave his sins through the intercession of the Mother of God;
For this reason, from here on, 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 get rid of earthly vanities and unnecessary cares of life and raise our mind and heart to Heaven Um, singing to God: Alleluia.

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Ikos 8.
All are abiding in the highest, and you have in no way retreated from the lower ones, Most Merciful Queen of Heaven and earth; Even though, by Your Assumption, You ascended into Heaven with Your Most Pure Flesh, yet You did not leave the sinful lands, who are a Participant of the Providence of Your Son for the Christian race nstem. For this sake, we please you according to our duty:
Rejoice, having enlightened the whole earth with the radiance of Your pure soul; Rejoice, who made all Heaven rejoice with the purity of Your body.
Rejoice, Holy Servant, Providence of Your Son for the race of Christians; Rejoice, zealous Representative for the whole world.
Rejoice, you who adopted us all at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, you who always show motherly love for us.
Rejoice, thou who art not envious of the 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 on earth you fill their hearts with pure joy.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 9.
Every angelic nature was amazed at the work of Your mercy, Lord, for You have granted only a solid and warm Intercessor and Helper to the Christian race, remaining invisibly to us I hear, I hear them singing to You: Alleluia.

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Ikos 9.
The Vaticans, who preach much, but do not enlighten themselves with God, say that the worship of a holy image is like the worship of an idol; They do not understand that the honor given to the holy image ascends to the Archetype. We not only know this well, but also from faithful people we hear about many miracles from the face of the Mother of God, and we ourselves, by worshiping him, are required for temporary and eternal life, with weight We cry out to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, for miracles happen from Your holy face; Rejoice, for this wisdom and grace have been hidden from the wise and prudent of this age.
Rejoice, for you were 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 have delivered those who come running to You from drowning, fire and sword, from deadly plagues and from all evil.
Rejoice, for you mercifully heal all illnesses of mankind, mental and physical; Rejoice, for you will soon quench the righteous wrath of God against us with Your prayer.
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.

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Kontakion 10.
Although to save a certain lawless person from the error of his life’s path, You showed him a wondrous vision from Your most honorable icon, O Most Blessed One, yes, having seen the miracle, he will repent and, from the depths The sinners, raised up by Your merciful providence, cry out to God: Alleluia.

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Ikos 10.
You are a wall to the virgins, the Virgin Mary, and to all who flow to You, for the Creator of Heaven and earth, who dwells in Your womb and is born of You, reveals You, the Ever-Virgin, guardian of virginity, purity and the whole container and vessel of all virtues and teach everyone to proclaim to You:
Rejoice, pillar and fence of virginity; Rejoice, invisible Guardian of purity and chastity.
Rejoice, kind Teacher of the virgins; Rejoice, good bride, Decorator and Supporter.
Rejoice, all-desired accomplishment of good marriages; Rejoice, speedy resolution for mothers giving birth.
Rejoice, upbringing and grace-filled protection of infants; Rejoice, you who make childless parents happy with the fruits of faith and the Spirit.
Rejoice, consolation to grieving mothers; Rejoice, secret joy of pure virgins and widows.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 11.
All-compassionate singing brings You, the unworthy, we ask You, Virgin Mother of God: do not despise the voice of Your servants, for we resort to You in adversity and sorrow and before You in our troubles we shed tears, we sing more: Alleluia.

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Ikos 11.
I give light to those who exist in the darkness of sin and the vale of weeping; we see the Holy Virgin; the spiritual fire of His prayers, instructions and consolations kindling, leads everyone to the Unevening Light, the appeals of those who worship Yu Simi:
Rejoice, Ray from the Sun of Truth, Christ our God; Rejoice, enlightening bad conscience.
Rejoice, secret and foreseen inconvenience, who guides all good and tells what is fitting; Rejoice, you disgrace false seers and vain fortune-telling.
Rejoice, in the hour of perplexity you put a good thought on your heart; Rejoice, abiding ever in fasting, prayer and contemplation of God.
Rejoice, you who encourage and admonish the faithful shepherds of the Church; Rejoice, everlasting consolation to 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.

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Kontakion 12.
Ask us for Divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, drive away from us every enemy and adversary, pacify our lives, so that we do not perish violently, without repentance, but accept us into eternal blood, Mother of God, may we joyfully sing to God, You to the one who saves us: Alleluia.

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Ikos 12.
Singing Your ineffable Motherly mercy towards lawless man, we praise You all, as a steadfast Representative for us sinners, and we worship You, who prays for us; For we believe and trust that you have asked from Your Son and God the temporal and eternal good of all, with love crying out to Tisce:
Rejoice, all slander and temptations that come from the world, the flesh and the devil are trampled underfoot; Rejoice, unexpected reconciliation of bitterly hostile people.
Rejoice, unknown correction of unrepentant sinners; Rejoice, quick Comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sadness.
Rejoice, thou who providest us with the grace of humility and patience; Rejoice, nationwide denunciation of perjury and unrighteous acquisitions.
Rejoice, you who protect us from domestic strife and enmity with peace and love; Rejoice, who invisibly turns us away from harmful endeavors and senseless wishes.
Rejoice, in our good intentions you have been present to the Helper; Rejoice, at the hour of death, Helper to all of us.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 13.
O All-Singing Mother, who contained the inconceivable God in her womb and gave birth to Joy to the whole world! Accept this present song, turn all our sorrows into joy and deliver everyone from all misfortunes and remove future torments from those who cry out for You: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion.

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Ikos 1.
The angels and righteous souls were surprised when you appeared before your Son and God and with many prayers you interceded for a man who was always in sin; But we, with the eyes of faith seeing such great compassion of Yours, 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 all Gods, comforting embittered souls; Rejoice, thou who arranges our life well.
Rejoice, you who brought deliverance from sins to all people; Rejoice, you who gave birth to joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion 1.
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 Ty, the Mother of God; But you, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to You:
Rejoice, you who give unexpected joy to the faithful.

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Kontakion, tone 6

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

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Video: Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon “Unexpected Joy” (prayer with text and icons)

Question-answer section

The prayer for children “Unexpected Joy” is presented in different versions: in Russian and Old Church Slavonic. But the first one is more understandable. The glorification of the Virgin Mary and Christ in different languages is equally useful for the person praying. But it is also important to understand what is written.

If you read the prayer and its parts (troparion, kontakion and others) consciously, the power of faith will increase. To understand the meaning of some words, it is recommended to contact clergy and ask clarifying questions, for example, online on an Orthodox website.

This must be done even if the text is written in Russian,
because the manner of presentation sometimes does not allow one to fully understand the meaning of the prayer text.

When I stop praying the coincidences stop, is this possible?

Expert opinion

Father Innocent

“There is no need to talk about the connection between prayer and miracles, since these are two interrelated actions. With a sincere appeal to God, a person’s capabilities expand, but he does not yet know about this. The stronger the aspiration towards the Almighty, the stronger the faith, the more often coincidences happen in life, which are small miracles. In the future, there will be more and more miracles in life, but all this can be lost by losing faith.”

Where to make a pilgrimage for prayer?

Expert opinion

Father Innocent

“If there is a great goal (for a woman to become pregnant), you can go to a holy place where one of the icon copies is located. I recommend visiting the temple of the same name, located in Maryina Roshcha. The miraculous face of Our Lady of Unexpected Joy is kept here.”

How to read the prayer “Unexpected joy” at home?

Expert opinion

Father Innocent

“Regardless of what goal the person praying is pursuing (asking for the gift of children, healing, forgiveness of sins), one should retire while turning to God. You need to put a candle (church candle) in front of the image of the Virgin. Prayer is performed out loud or silently. After reading the text, you can turn to Virgo in your own words, talk about what is tormenting your soul.”

My story “My prayer for the birth of a baby”

“I went on a pilgrimage to cities, turned to different icons, but most of all I was struck by “Unexpected Joy.” I don’t have children, but I would really like to, because this is a great joy and God’s blessing. I read prayers in front of the icon of the Mother of God, and at that time I felt complete peace. There was peace in my soul for the first time in my life, everything faded into the background: work, money, friends, problems.

Anna, 38 years old, Stavropol

Even earlier I came across reviews about this icon: none of the believers have yet remained indifferent to it. Perhaps the fact is that I felt grace right next to the miraculous face. Although no obvious miracle happened then, for me the feelings I lived are more important than any external manifestations. In addition, a year after the pilgrimage, my children were born - twins: a boy and a girl. That’s how I immediately learned the happiness of motherhood twice.”

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.

About miracles in Orthodoxy:

Miracles and help of the Virgin Mary
Lanchang Miracle
Shroud of Turin

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.

Virgin Mary with Jesus Christ

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:

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

Reviews

Alla, 37 years old, Moscow: “I saw the icon without traveling far from Moscow. It has been preserved well to this day, warmth emanates from (it feels like). I pray, I ask the Lord for a child, because my husband and I have not had any luck so far. But nothing changes, although I know that this is not a quick thing. I'm waiting, I hope. I’ve heard about this icon more than once from friends, so I went to light a candle. I also plan to go to the neighboring regions, where other images of the Mother of God are located, I heard that one of them is miraculous, but the rest, it turns out, are not. Perhaps this is the main reason that nothing works out.”

Varvara, 35 years old, Vladivostok: “I only have at my disposal a prayer book and an icon bought in a church shop. It is not possible to travel far to visit the holy face, so I go to the local church and pray at home. My husband and I have been dreaming about having a child since the beginning of our marriage (for 15 years). I recently found out from the doctor that I was pregnant, happiness knew no bounds! But you can’t rejoice so much just yet, you need to bear it and give birth to more. I hope that everything will be fine, but for now I’m afraid to tell my friends and acquaintances. Happiness loves silence, so I’ll share it with the readers for now. I wish all those who are waiting the same joy!”