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| Icon of the Mother of God "The Three Joys" (Feast Day - December 26) |
It is customary to contrast the West and the East — and not without reason: specialists point out significant differences in the artistic aspirations of thinkers, writers, and musicians, giving rise to two completely dissimilar, even in some respects opposite, types of culture. Yet history does not always fit within the framework of commonly accepted opinion. True spirituality not only works miracles, but also unites different worlds.
These thoughts arise when one reads about the destiny of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Three Joys.” How strange and unusual it is: an image of Western origin, traditionally attributed to the brush of Raphael, became a Russian wonderworking icon. Is this possible? Yes. With God all things are possible.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, a certain pious painter brought from Italy a copy of an icon depicting the Holy Family. He left this image in Moscow with his relative, a priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gryazi. Later, the priest donated the icon that had been brought to him to his own parish church of the Holy Trinity. There the icon was placed on the church porch, above the entrance to the church.
Forty years later, God’s grace glorified the icon through wondrous signs.
According to tradition, once several misfortunes befell a certain noblewoman within a short period of time: her husband was slandered and sent into exile, her estate was confiscated to the treasury, and her only beloved son — the support and consolation of the unhappy woman — was taken captive during a war. Finding herself in a hopeless situation, the poor woman turned with fervent prayer to the Queen of Heaven, asking for her merciful intercession. The Queen of Heaven heard the tearful prayers of the afflicted woman. One day, in a dream, the woman heard a voice commanding her to find the icon of the Holy Family and to pray before it. For a long time the sorrowing woman searched for the image in Moscow churches, and at last she found it on the porch of the Trinity Church in Pokrovka. After praying fervently to the Most Holy Virgin, she soon received three joyful tidings: her husband had been acquitted and returned from exile, her son had been freed from captivity, and her estate had been returned from the treasury. From this there arose the name of the icon — “The Three Joys.”
After the glorification of the image of the Mother of God “The Three Joys,” many copies of the icon began to be painted in the ancient Russian iconographic tradition. In comparison with the Italian prototype, the Christ Child in these images is usually depicted in the arms of the Mother of God in mirror image — on the left side — while John the Baptist and Joseph the Betrothed are painted on different sides of the Mother of God with the Child.
This icon was especially venerated in the Imperial family. One copy of the image served as the private cell icon of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II. The icon was also venerated on the Don and in the Kuban; it was believed that prayer before it protected the daring Cossacks on the battlefield. In our own time as well, cases of grace-filled help from the icon to servicemen who were in hot spots are known. People also pray before the icon “The Three Joys” for family well-being.
The Trinity Church where the wonderworking image was kept was rebuilt several times. In 1861, Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, consecrated the main altar in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “The Three Joys.” In December 1919 the church was closed, and since then the fate of the icon has been unknown. Only an analogion icon of “The Three Joys,” a mid-nineteenth-century copy, has been preserved.
In addition to the two well-known icons of the Mother of God “The Three Joys” in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Gryazi of Moscow, venerated copies of the icon are found in two other churches: the Church of the Deposition of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae, and the house church of the Sofrino Operational Brigade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
In 1918, a significant number of icons and church furnishings from the Church of Saint Michael of the Grodno Diocese were transferred to the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in Leonovo. Among them was the icon of “The Three Joys.” Before its restoration it stood by the right kliros of the main altar, and at present it is located in the left side-chapel, in front of the kliros.
These thoughts arise when one reads about the destiny of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Three Joys.” How strange and unusual it is: an image of Western origin, traditionally attributed to the brush of Raphael, became a Russian wonderworking icon. Is this possible? Yes. With God all things are possible.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, a certain pious painter brought from Italy a copy of an icon depicting the Holy Family. He left this image in Moscow with his relative, a priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gryazi. Later, the priest donated the icon that had been brought to him to his own parish church of the Holy Trinity. There the icon was placed on the church porch, above the entrance to the church.
Forty years later, God’s grace glorified the icon through wondrous signs.
According to tradition, once several misfortunes befell a certain noblewoman within a short period of time: her husband was slandered and sent into exile, her estate was confiscated to the treasury, and her only beloved son — the support and consolation of the unhappy woman — was taken captive during a war. Finding herself in a hopeless situation, the poor woman turned with fervent prayer to the Queen of Heaven, asking for her merciful intercession. The Queen of Heaven heard the tearful prayers of the afflicted woman. One day, in a dream, the woman heard a voice commanding her to find the icon of the Holy Family and to pray before it. For a long time the sorrowing woman searched for the image in Moscow churches, and at last she found it on the porch of the Trinity Church in Pokrovka. After praying fervently to the Most Holy Virgin, she soon received three joyful tidings: her husband had been acquitted and returned from exile, her son had been freed from captivity, and her estate had been returned from the treasury. From this there arose the name of the icon — “The Three Joys.”
After the glorification of the image of the Mother of God “The Three Joys,” many copies of the icon began to be painted in the ancient Russian iconographic tradition. In comparison with the Italian prototype, the Christ Child in these images is usually depicted in the arms of the Mother of God in mirror image — on the left side — while John the Baptist and Joseph the Betrothed are painted on different sides of the Mother of God with the Child.
This icon was especially venerated in the Imperial family. One copy of the image served as the private cell icon of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II. The icon was also venerated on the Don and in the Kuban; it was believed that prayer before it protected the daring Cossacks on the battlefield. In our own time as well, cases of grace-filled help from the icon to servicemen who were in hot spots are known. People also pray before the icon “The Three Joys” for family well-being.
The Trinity Church where the wonderworking image was kept was rebuilt several times. In 1861, Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, consecrated the main altar in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “The Three Joys.” In December 1919 the church was closed, and since then the fate of the icon has been unknown. Only an analogion icon of “The Three Joys,” a mid-nineteenth-century copy, has been preserved.
In addition to the two well-known icons of the Mother of God “The Three Joys” in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Gryazi of Moscow, venerated copies of the icon are found in two other churches: the Church of the Deposition of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae, and the house church of the Sofrino Operational Brigade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
In 1918, a significant number of icons and church furnishings from the Church of Saint Michael of the Grodno Diocese were transferred to the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in Leonovo. Among them was the icon of “The Three Joys.” Before its restoration it stood by the right kliros of the main altar, and at present it is located in the left side-chapel, in front of the kliros.
Troparion in Tone 4
From your holy icon you filled the heart of a pious woman with inexpressible joy, O Most Pure Lady of the world, Almighty Queen, joy of all creation, Ever-Virgin, when you restored to her her husband, her son, and her possessions; so also show mercy to all of us. Grant the fulfillment of good desires, pouring forth the ever-flowing fountain of joy to those who pray to you and cry out with all their soul: O you who gave birth to Joy for the whole world, fill with unfailing joy those who honor you.
Kontakion in Tone 6
We have no other help, we have no other hope, except you, O Lady. Help us: in you we place our hope and in you we glory, for we are your servants, let us not be put to shame.
Prayer
O Most Holy Virgin, all-good Mother of the all-good Son, protectress of this royal city and of this holy temple, faithful intercessor and defender of all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles, and illnesses! Do not despise the supplications of us, your unworthy servants, but entreat your Son and our God that He may grant to all of us, who with faith and compunction venerate your wonderworking icon, joy according to each one’s need: comfort to those in sorrows and grief, mercy to those in distress, and to those weighed down by many infirmities unexpected healing and strengthening.
O most holy Lady, have mercy on all who reverently honor your all-honorable name, and reveal to all your almighty protection and intercession. Assist in every work pleasing to your Son; destroy every evil work;
and to those who find themselves in perplexity and in difficult and dangerous circumstances, send invisible help and understanding from heaven. Nurture infants, chasten the young, and open their minds to receive all beneficial learning. Protect and preserve households from discord and from enemies visible and invisible. Preserve marriages in love and unity of mind, and surround blood relatives with peace and love, guarding them from enmity. Grant to all of us love for one another, peace, piety, and health with long life.
Cause those who have departed this life in faith and repentance to dwell with the angels and all the saints, that all in heaven and on earth may know you as our firm and unashamed Intercessor, of the Christian race; and knowing this, may they glorify you and through you your Son, together with His Beginningless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Magnification
We magnify you, O Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and we honor your holy icon, from which you pour forth healings to all who come to you with faith.
From your holy icon you filled the heart of a pious woman with inexpressible joy, O Most Pure Lady of the world, Almighty Queen, joy of all creation, Ever-Virgin, when you restored to her her husband, her son, and her possessions; so also show mercy to all of us. Grant the fulfillment of good desires, pouring forth the ever-flowing fountain of joy to those who pray to you and cry out with all their soul: O you who gave birth to Joy for the whole world, fill with unfailing joy those who honor you.
Kontakion in Tone 6
We have no other help, we have no other hope, except you, O Lady. Help us: in you we place our hope and in you we glory, for we are your servants, let us not be put to shame.
Prayer
O Most Holy Virgin, all-good Mother of the all-good Son, protectress of this royal city and of this holy temple, faithful intercessor and defender of all who are in sins, sorrows, troubles, and illnesses! Do not despise the supplications of us, your unworthy servants, but entreat your Son and our God that He may grant to all of us, who with faith and compunction venerate your wonderworking icon, joy according to each one’s need: comfort to those in sorrows and grief, mercy to those in distress, and to those weighed down by many infirmities unexpected healing and strengthening.
O most holy Lady, have mercy on all who reverently honor your all-honorable name, and reveal to all your almighty protection and intercession. Assist in every work pleasing to your Son; destroy every evil work;
and to those who find themselves in perplexity and in difficult and dangerous circumstances, send invisible help and understanding from heaven. Nurture infants, chasten the young, and open their minds to receive all beneficial learning. Protect and preserve households from discord and from enemies visible and invisible. Preserve marriages in love and unity of mind, and surround blood relatives with peace and love, guarding them from enmity. Grant to all of us love for one another, peace, piety, and health with long life.
Cause those who have departed this life in faith and repentance to dwell with the angels and all the saints, that all in heaven and on earth may know you as our firm and unashamed Intercessor, of the Christian race; and knowing this, may they glorify you and through you your Son, together with His Beginningless Father and His Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Magnification
We magnify you, O Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and we honor your holy icon, from which you pour forth healings to all who come to you with faith.
