The meaning of the icon of all who sorrow is joy. Miraculous icon of the mother of God of all who grieve joy

There is no higher service than to bring joy to those who grieve. The word "sorrow" in the old days had a broader meaning than it does today. It meant not only sorrowful experiences, but also physical suffering from illness, and the failure of the everyday plan, and in general everything that we now call the word "negative." Through these troubles and hardships of life, which the world is full of, the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of all who sorrow" brings joy of consolation.

Grace given through icons

Before starting a conversation about it, one very important fact should be emphasized - not the icon itself works miracles and brings Divine grace to people, but the Mother of God depicted on it. She does this through her images, before which we offer her prayers. Among them there are great icons, which are usually called miraculous. This means that the Queen of Heaven chose them exactly, and She wants to send down grace by means of it. For this we honor them, but we pray not to them, not to boards covered with a layer of painting, but to the One whose holy image is imprinted on them.

For which we are talking, we used the words of one of the Theotokos stichera (a special liturgical text) - "Joy to all who grieve." with this name appeared in Russia in the 17th century. Art critics note in her iconography the tangible influence of the Western European school. In addition, it should be noted the absence of a single compositional scheme in many of its versions (variants). As a result, significant differences can be found in the icons with this name.

The saints depicted on it can be cited as an example. In the earliest versions, these figures were absent and appeared only on icons painted after 1688. The explanation for this is the following: this year the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" brought miraculous healing from illness to the sister of Patriarch Joachim - Euphemia. From that time on, her glorification began, and figures of the suffering began to be introduced into the picturesque plot, thereby focusing on the healing power of the image.

Features of the generally accepted iconographic tradition

Over the years, the tradition has developed to depict the Mother of God in full growth, standing in the so-called mandorla - a vertical oval glow. An interesting fact: this image is typical for Christian and Buddhist arts. In such a halo, it is customary to depict the figures of Christ, the Mother of God and the Buddha. In Christian icon painting, the image of Christ in the mandorla is often found on the icons "The Transfiguration of the Lord" and "The Second Coming", and in the iconography of theotokos - on the icon "The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos."

In addition to the Mother of God and figures suffering from ailments, it has become a tradition to depict angels on the icon performing acts of mercy on behalf of the Queen of Heaven. In addition, you can find numerous editions with images of saints standing on the right and left sides of the Mother of God. Despite the fact that the icon "Our Lady of Joy to All Who Sorrow" appeared after the church schism, which was caused by the well-known reform of Patriarch Nikon, it is very common among the Old Believers. Especially a lot of her lists have appeared, made in the Belarusian village of Vetka.

The history of the glorification of the icon

It is necessary to dwell in more detail on the history of the icon. As mentioned above, her glorification began in 1688 with the healing of the patriarchal sister Euphemia Papina from the ailments. Legend has it that she suffered from an unhealed wound in her side. And then one day, during prayer, Euphemia heard a wondrous voice, announcing that the icon of the Mother of God "Joy to all who sorrow" would bring her healing.

On Ordynka there is the Transfiguration Church, in which one should look for this icon. After prayer, a miracle will happen in front of her, and the illness will leave the patient. The voice also added that Euphemia would have to confess this miracle, glorifying the name of the Most Holy Theotokos. Soon the icon was delivered to the afflicted, and after praying in front of her, the wound began to heal quickly. It happened on October 24. Fulfilling the order of the Blessed Virgin (it was She who owned that voice), Euphemia's brother - Patriarch Joachim - commanded that a prayer service be compiled for the image of "Joy to All Who Sorrow". The icon of the Mother of God has been glorified since then along with other miraculous icons.

Among the residents of Moscow and all of Russia, this story became widely known, which is not surprising - its main character was the sister of the Patriarch. The akathist "Joy to All Who Sorrow" was written. In addition to the already mentioned service, they compiled the "Tale of the Icon", in which all the circumstances of the incident were described in detail, and the tsarist icon-painters began to make copies of it. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish where the icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow" came to the Transfiguration Church. Its significance for Russian Orthodoxy is great, and the lack of information about its early history is a big gap.

Creation of a list with an icon and departure to St. Petersburg

Further events related to the miraculous icon date back to 1711. During this period, the capital of Russia was moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg. The royal family also moved there. From historical documents it is clear that the sister of Tsar Peter I - Tsarevna Natalya Alekseevna, leaving for the new capital, ordered a copy of the icon "Joy to All Who Sorrow". The icon of the Mother of God was taken to St. Petersburg. But here a disagreement appears in the documents - according to some sources, a copy went to the banks of the Neva, but the original remained in Moscow, other sources claim the opposite.

It should be noted that after the glorification of the icon, the Transfiguration Church, where the border consecrated in her honor was located, began to be called among the people "Sorrowful" or "Joy of All Who Sorrow" on Ordynka. It is safe to say that the icon that Princess Natalya left to Muscovites was in the church until the revolution. Further riddles begin.

After the revolution, the church was closed, its building was used for state needs. There is a version that the icon that was kept there disappeared without a trace during the period of the church hard times, and the image that is now in the restored church is the 1st copy of the 18th century presented to it. But there is another version, according to which the original icon miraculously survived the years of fighting against God and is now in its original place.

St. Petersburg Icon of the Virgin

However, let's move to St. Petersburg and follow the icon that the tsar's own sister brought here from Moscow. It remained unclear whether it was an original or a copy, but in spite of everything, both the Moscow icon and its St. Petersburg sister were revered equally as miraculous. This is confirmed by the fact that, setting off on the Prut campaign in 1711, the tsar ordered to take her with him as a guarantee of the army's heavenly protection.

Princess Natalya Alekseevna placed the icon brought to her in the home church of her own palace, which was located on Shpalernaya Street. In those years, there was also the famous brainchild of her brother - the Foundry yard, where guns for the army and anchors for the fleet were cast. The military and economic power of Russia was created there.

Natalya Alekseevna spared no expense for the shrine. The setting of the icon, made of silver and covered with gold, was richly decorated with heirlooms. According to the established tradition, particles of the relics of saints and other relics were placed in it. Over time, the pious princess set up a almshouse at her palace, to which the church went after her death in 1716.

Veneration of the icon by the reigning persons

Half a century later, Empress Catherine II treated the miraculous image of "Joy of All Who Sorrow" with special reverence. The icon of the Mother of God gave her strength during the smallpox epidemic that broke out in 1768. It is known that the Empress was one of the first to vaccinate herself and the heir to the throne against this terrible disease, thereby setting an example for the rest.

It was very important, since in those years vaccinations were an innovation and were greeted in society with fear and misunderstanding. Before deciding to take such a step, Catherine II came to the house church of Princess Natalia. Prayer to the Joy of All Who Sorrow icon instilled confidence in her. As a result, vaccinations following her example have saved hundreds of lives. As a token of gratitude, a new, even richer setting of the icon was soon made.

During the reign of her grandson Alexander I, the house church on Shpalernaya was completely rebuilt according to the project of the architect L. Rusk; a special niche was created for the icon on the right side of the iconostasis. This period includes the creation of a new, third in a row salary for the icon.

It was executed with extraordinary generosity. Almost seven kilograms of gold were used to make it. In addition, they have been used in large quantities for decoration. gems... A photo from the lithograph of the icon, made in 1862, can be seen in this article. Particles of the relics of many saints were also placed in the setting. After the solemn consecration, which was performed by Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov), the salary took its place.

Three lists with icons

It should also be noted that in the temple on Shpalernaya, in addition to the icon in question, there were three more copies made from it, but they are considered lost. It is only known that one of them practically did not differ in its iconographic features from what Natalya Alekseevna brought. Decorated with his precious salary. In 1847, the icon was transferred to the ownership of the Spaso-Euphrosyne monastery in Polotsk, and its place was taken by a copy made by the painter P.M. Shamshin.

The other two copies are known to have their own iconographic features. The figures of the suffering were included in their composition, which indicates their later writing. The pictorial manner in which they were performed is more characteristic of the Western school. One of the icons was at the top of the room in the choir. Its authorship is attributed to the famous artist F.A. Bronnikov. Another was created specifically in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the rebuilding of the temple. It was painted on a copper board by the artist I.A. Tyurin.

A little later, the church was rebuilt, and since then it has received the name of Skorbyashchinskaya. It was also known as the Church of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon. It existed until 1932, when, together with many Russian churches, it was closed. After that, the miraculous icon stored in it disappeared without a trace - the family heirloom of Princess Natalia.

In St. Petersburg, in the Transfiguration Cathedral, there is an icon that many believe is exactly the one that was lost when the temple on Shpalernaya was closed. But this, unfortunately, is a misconception. An old lithograph made from an icon that belonged to the princess proves their non-identity. It is more likely that in the Transfiguration Cathedral there is that revered copy, which, as you know, was kept in a precious setting next to the icon of Natalya Alekseevna and was transferred to the cathedral after the house church was closed.

Icon with pennies

Among the St. Petersburg icons of the Mother of God, there is one unique in its own way. It is called the Joy of All Who Sorrow icon with pennies. There is a legend that once, in the middle of the 19th century, she was washed up by the Neva waves to the shore next to the estate of the merchant Kurakin. From them the icon passed to the merchant Matveyev, who presented it as a gift to the chapel built in honor of the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God in the Village of Klochki near St. Petersburg. The chapel was located next to the famous Petersburg glass factory.

This icon gained fame after a terrible thunderstorm that raged over the city on July 23, 1888. From the documents left over from that time, it is known that a lightning strike that hit the chapel scorched the inner walls and the icons located there. The donation mug suffered the most - it was completely broken. Only the icon that was in the chapel remained unharmed - a gift from the merchant Matveyev. Moreover, the coins scattered when struck by lightning in an incomprehensible way firmly adhered to the surface of the icon.

When the damaged chapel was opened after a thunderstorm, they found that the image of the Mother of God, previously attached in the corner on a cord, sank down from a strong blow. But the most striking thing was that the face of the Mother of God, darkened with time, brightened and renewed itself by itself. There were many witnesses to this miracle, the rumor about it quickly spread throughout St. Petersburg.

Her glorification began with the fact that at the behest of the ruling bishop, Metropolitan Isidor (Nikolsky), regular prayer services began in front of the icon. At this time, there are also reports of the first miraculous healings performed through prayers before this newfound image. From the records it is clear that after December 6, 1890 a prayer was made to the icon "Joy to All Who Sorrow", the youth Nikolai Grachev, 14 years old, received healing from epilepsy. The next case was recorded in February 1891, when the 26-year-old Vera Belonogova, who had completely lost the ability to speak due to a throat disease, suddenly found the gift of speech.

The destroyed temple "Joy of All Who Sorrow" (St. Petersburg)

In 1893, the pious emperor served a prayer service in front of this icon. Five years later, thanks to the financial means donated by him, a stone temple "Joy of All Who Sorrow" was erected for her in a specially designated area. He stood on the embankment of the Neva. However, in the thirties it suffered the same fate as many temples in our country - it was demolished. Now only a miraculously preserved chapel reminds of it.

Fortunately, they managed to save the miraculous icon itself, and now it is also located on the Nevsky Bank, in the church which is popularly called "Easter cake and Easter" for its architectural features. In honor of this icon, a special day of celebration is established - August 5. By the way, the St. Petersburg icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow" with pennies received its official name on the personal instruction of Patriarch Alexy II in 1998. All those made from it were subsequently depicted with paint.

Wonderful Lists

It is known that not only the icons already mentioned in this article, but also the lists made from them, became famous for many miracles. In terms of their iconographic type, these icons often repeat both Moscow and St. Petersburg icons. They are located in different parts of the country, but the legends about the miracles they performed are becoming common property.

We should dwell on this in more detail. The most famous of these icons is Reshnevskaya. Its name comes from the village of Reshnev, where the temple "Joy of All Who Sorrow" was specially built for it. According to legend, a pious and wealthy landowner M. Savich received this icon from a wandering monk. The temple was built at her expense.

Tradition says that on the day of his consecration, a miracle happened - through the prayers of his mother, a child suffering from paralysis received healing. This icon itself is somewhat different from other icons of this type. She almost completely copies the "Iveron Mother of God", nevertheless, among local residents and in general among her admirers, she is referred to as the icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Its significance for believers consists in a sense of the reality of the intercession and help sent down by the Most Holy Theotokos.

Lists of icons made famous in hospitals and prisons

For several centuries, the Joy of All Who Sorrow icon has been helping patients who have lost all hope of recovery. An example of this is the image in a hospital belonging to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Tradition says that the founder of the hospital, Prince Nikolai Svyatosha, later glorified as a saint, donated the icon there. Further, the legend tells that the hospital watchman more than once witnessed how an unknown woman visited the hospital, and those patients whom she approached soon recovered. There was also a monk who suffered from an incurable disease and was ready to finish his earthly journey. And then one day a distinct image of the Mother of God appeared in the moonlight over his headboard. The patient saw her and was soon healed.

For a long time in Vologda in the prison hospital there was a miraculous icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Its value was appreciated there too. People who have been imprisoned through their own fault or due to circumstances, more than anyone else, need the help and intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Residents of the city, who venerated the icon, made a silver frame with gilding for it and carried it out to every religious procession. Unfortunately, this miraculous image has not survived to this day, disappearing without a trace during the years of the revolution.

Icon from Voronezh

Voronezh Theological Church is also famous for its miraculous icon. There is a legend that one of the confidants of Peter I, while sailing in a boat along the Voronezh River, refused to moor to the shore near the temple and bow to the icon in it. He even allowed himself to be very impudent about this. However, the storm that broke out soon, threatening the life of both the nobleman and his retinue, forced him to repent of his rash words and, having moored to the shore, hurry to the temple. After he kissed the icon, the storm miraculously stopped. This icon is revered as miraculous. There are many testimonies of healings that took place through prayers before her.

It is difficult to enumerate all the miraculous lists from this blessed icon. They were always revered, temples and chapels were built for them. Such a chapel "Joy of All Who Sorrow" was built in St. Petersburg in 1915. It was intended to help mentally ill children and was built under the patronage of Empress Maria Feodorovna. After the revolution, it was closed and re-consecrated only in 1990.

One cannot but recall the list of the icon located in Tobolsk. There is little information about its creation, but art historians believe that its writing can be attributed to the end of the 16th century. In the church, this icon was exhibited in a precious setting and decorated with numerous rings, crosses and pendants donated by parishioners on the occasion of the gifts of help through prayer. It is characteristic that the city merchants held it in special respect, among them it was considered a guarantee of successful commerce to carry it through the trading rows. Unfortunately, this icon has not survived to this day. Like many others, she disappeared during the revolution.

Many believers in their home congregations have this wonderful image. Icons in an apartment always create a special atmosphere. Even people who do not identify themselves with religion feel the blessed energy emanating from them. It works independently of our perception. But if a person's heart is warmed by faith in God, then the icons become truly miraculous.

Description and meaning of the icon of All Who Sorrow Joy: how does the icon help, where is it, the story of the prototype of All Who Sorrow Joy. Faith and trust in the Lord are stronger than fear - this was proved by the icon of All Who Sorrow Joy.

Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Iakim, has been confined to a hospital bed for a year now. The disease was so severe that the woman was preparing to leave this world. An unhealed ulcer in the side caused unbearable pain, through which you can see the internal organs.

Expecting death, the patient turned to the Blessed Virgin, asking for mercy. She prayed all night, and in the morning she heard a voice asking her: "Euphemia, why are you suffering, do not resort to the help of the Healer of all?" And the Mother of God pointed to Her miraculous image, located in the Transfiguration Church, which is on Ordynka.

It was called "Joy of All Who Sorrow". The woman asked her family to find out: is this so? And when she was convinced that the icon existed, she sent a priest for it, so that a prayer service for the holy water was served at its bedside. After that, she recovered completely. So in 1688 the glorification of the shrine began, which, according to the Queen of Heaven, heals everyone.

History of the prototype of All Who Sorrow Joy

Thanks to the fact that brother Euphemia was a patriarch, the news of the miraculous shrine spread throughout the dioceses. Sick and mourning people came from all over Russia for healing. Soon the lists appeared in many parts of our homeland:

• In St. Petersburg;
• Nizhny Novgorod desert;
• Kharkov;
• Kiev;
• Voronezh;
• At the monastery in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, near Sukhumi;
• Yelets;
• Kazan province;
• Orel;
• Perm, Poltava and in many other cities and provinces.

More than 25 images were recognized as miraculous, many cases of healing and help were recorded from holy icons. Even more testimonies are not recorded, since not everywhere are diaries kept about the miracles performed by the Mother of God. The celebration of the icon is scheduled for October 24 (November 6, according to the present) - the day of the convalescence of the Patriarch's sister.

Many royal persons also honored the miraculous image. According to one version, Natalya Alekseevna (sister of Peter I) took the icon to St. Petersburg. According to another, she took the list (there were three of them in the church), which she placed in the house church on the street. Trellis. Thanks to this image, it was possible to stop the spread of the smallpox epidemic that raged during the time of Catherine II.

The temple on Ordynka was rebuilt, closed in 1930, and reopened in 1948. The holy icon was kept in the museum, passed on by the patriarchs for preservation, and it is impossible to definitively establish which image was the original. Historians still cannot say for sure which icon should be considered a prototype: Moscow or St. Petersburg. It is known that both shrines are considered miraculous. Currently recorded:

• Healing from alcoholism;
• Drug addiction is the scourge of modern times;
• Help with eye diseases;
• There are known cases of convalescence of the terminally ill and many others. dr.

Note: Every Saturday in the church a prayer service is served to the Most Holy Theotokos, that is, to Her Image of All Who Sorrow, Joy. People who have lost all hope of recovery, resorting with faith to the help of the Healer of all, meet with a miracle, receiving what they ask for in prayer before this shrine.

History of the image with "coins"

An amazing story happened with one of the icons of All Who Sorrow, Joy, which was located in the Tikhvin chapel in the village of Klochki (near St. Petersburg). In 1888, she was struck by lightning. The chapel caught fire, all the icons were scorched, except for the image of the Virgin. The begging mug shattered, and coins flew in all directions.

Twelve copper pennies stuck to the image, the paint of which, from the high temperature, apparently heated up, but did not melt. On the contrary, the smoky face of the Mother of God was renewed and enlightened. Hearing about this event, many rushed to the icon for healing. Miracles were not long in coming. A year later, reports began to appear about the healing of the sick:

• with seizures;
• paralyzed;
• those who have lost their voice, etc.

Note: Now the icon is located not far from the place of the fire, in the church of the Trinity Church "Kulich and Easter". It is worth noting that on numerous lists the Mother of God is depicted in different ways: either in royal vestments, or in simple earthly clothes, the number of pennies also varies, but the miracles given by the Most Pure Virgin do not become scarce if the worshipers turn to Her in faith.

Faith and Trust in the Lord Are Stronger than Fear

November 1768. In Russia, a smallpox epidemic is raging, taking to the grave both young and old, and breathing health, and innocent children. The way to fight is known: vaccination is necessary. The fear of voluntarily contracting an incurable disease is stronger than the arguments of medical scientists. Who knows: maybe the trouble will pass, and then to inoculate smallpox, and wait what will come of it. No, it is impossible to decide on this.

To the temple on Shpalernaya, to the miraculous image of All Who Sorrow, Joy approached Catherine II, falling on her knees, praying. The retinue heard the words: scary, I am still so young, scary. After that, the woman allowed herself to be vaccinated with smallpox. The disease has been defeated, there is nothing more to be afraid of. All the others followed her example. The epidemic was stopped. The queen stood in the church and thanked the One in whom she hoped. She believed the Healer of all, defeating her fear, and thereby saved the people.

Conclusion: Believe and do not be afraid to turn to the holy image of the Mother of all who trust in Her. The Mother of God saves from troubles the most needy, hopelessly sick, who are in a difficult situation. She will definitely help if you trust her.