9/22 DECEMBER: COMMEMORATION OF THE MIRACULOUS ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD KNOWN AS “UNEXPECTED JOY”
The Unexpected Joy appears to be a traditional depiction of Christ and His Mother, however there here a few notable differences: blood is seen on the wounds from His Crucifixion, and the icon even takes on the quality of “an image within an image”, as a man is seen in the lower left-hand corner, his hands raised in supplication towards Jesus and His Mother. What is the significance of this third person?
St. Dimitri of Rostov records a young man who after praying before an icon of Christ and the Theotokos often went out to commit a sin. One day after praying, he saw that the wounds of the Crucifixion had suddenly appeared on the icon. The youth cried out, asking the Theotokos why this had been done. The Theotokos responded that this was done because he, and other sinners like him, continued to crucify Her Son all over again.
Only then did the Young Man realize how much his sins meant, and he begged for forgiveness. She was moved to mercy, but Her Son refused, noting that he also had asked His Father to take the cup of suffering away from him.
The Theotokos continued to entreat Her Son, reminding him how she nursed Him, and how she suffered at His Crucifixion. When he continued to refuse, St. Dimitri records that the Virgin Mary rose up, and put Her Son down, ready to fall at His Feet if necessary, until he forgave the sinner.
Moved at the depths of His Mother’s compassion, Christ stated that the law requires that a son obey his mother, and that the Lawgiver too must obey the law; he agreed to fulfill his mother’s request, requiring only that the man kiss his wounds.
The sinner rose up, trembling and transformed, and went to kiss the wounds of the Infant. At once, the vision ended, and the sinner began to cry tears of joy, living out the rest of his days in true repentance.
This tradition became widely known throughout Russia, and then the subject of many icons, which are highly venerated there.
Source: https://blog.obitel-minsk.com/2019/01/icons-of-the-theotokos-the-unexpected-joy.html
Two canons of the Theotokos
Ode I, Canon I, Irmos: I shall open my mouth, * and be filled with the Spirit, * and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother; * and be seen radiantly keeping festival, * joyfully praising her wonders.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O thou who opened the portals of God’s tender compassion when the archangel offered thee his salutation, close not off His love for mankind from us who hymn thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Wondrous was thy life on earth, O most glorious Virgin Mother, yet even more wondrous is thy dwelling in heaven; for thou dost unceasingly reveal the wonders of thy maternal loving-kindness toward those who hymn thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Son, Who was timelessly begotten of the Father before all ages, didst thou in latter times conceive through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, giving birth to eternal joy for the world.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O sea which drowned the devil, the noetic pharaoh! Rejoice, O stone which gave drink to those thirsting for the life of the Spirit! For thou hast given to the human race the Redeemer of those held captive and the Guide of those who are lost.
Canon II, Irmos: Taking up the Song of Moses, O my soul, * cry aloud: * ‘A helper and a protector hath become unto me salvation. * My God, * whom I will glorify’.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast delivered the whole human race from slavery to the enemy, having given birth to the Saviour of all the world. Him do thou beseech, that He save us from the assaults of the evil one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast delivered the whole human race from slavery to the enemy, having given birth to the Saviour of all the world. Him do thou beseech, that He save us from the assaults of the evil one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O most holy Virgin, in the midst of our perils be thou a mediatress and intercessor for us before thy Son, that, delivered from them, we may glorify Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art more exalted than the angels and archangels, and higher in honour than all creation, thou art the great intercessor of the Christian race.
Ode III, Canon I, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and plentiful fount, * establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to thee, * and in thy divine glory * grant them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Confirm in the virtuous life those who fervently hymn thee, and earnestly entreat Him Who was born from thee, that we not be deprived of crowns of glory due to our sins.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In our life we have angered thy Son by our sins more than any of the iniquitous; yet be thou our mediatress, O loving Mother.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
May Jesus Who is the Lover of mankind, Who was born of thee and hast the authority to forgive men their sins, grant unto us crowns of glory in His divine glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O virgin who contained the infinite God within thy womb, who carried Him as a babe and fed Him at thy breast!
Canon II, Irmos: Establish me, O Lord my God, * that mine enemy may not boast concerning me; * for Thou, O Lord, art my confirmation, * my refuge and my power.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Hearken unto our prayers, O Virgin Mother, and give ear unto our sighs; and make supplication to thy Son on our behalf.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that thou art full of tender compassion, give ear to our supplications, and grant us deliverance from grievous and evil circumstances and sorrows.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Still thou the tempest of the threefold waves of life, and drive away our evil passions, O most pure one, that we may glorify thee in peace and dispassion.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, ye people of God, let us now praise the Queen of heaven, who gazeth down upon us from her holy heaven and leadeth us up to the heavens.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone V: O fervent and invincible intercessor, * diligent and unashamed hope, * rampart, protection and haven * of those who have recourse to thee, * O pure Ever-Virgin do thou, together with the angels, * entreat thy Son and God, ** that He grant peace, salvation and great mercy to the world.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Repeat Sessional Hymn.
Ode IV, Canon I, Irmos: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mother who hast given birth to the Saviour, do thou thyself save from the misfortunes and the grief of life those who confess thee to be the Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mother of the Son and Redeemer Who lifted up our sins upon the Cross, heal all our grievous and incurable sicknesses.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
God the Word, the hypostatic Wisdom, chose thee to be His dwelling-place. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that He save us by the judgments which He knoweth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O all-comely, beauteous Bride! Rejoice, O pure turtledove! Rejoice, O Mother of Emmanuel, ever-virgin Theotokos!
Canon II, Irmos: I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I have heard report of Thee, * and I was afraid; * for Thou comest to me, seeking me who am lost. * Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension towards me, * O greatly Merciful One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Even though our tongue is at a loss how to praise thee worthily, yet, moved by love for thee, with all our heart and all our mind we glorify and praise thee, the mediatress of all good things.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Who can plumb the depths of the sea? And who is “able to number the great mercies and compassions which thou hast for us?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Father and Lord of heaven and earth, what thanks shall we offer Thee? For thou hast given to the Christian race a good and powerful mediatress.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Stretching forth thy hands toward Him Who was born of thee, O all-loving Mother, cease not to make supplication for us, that by thine entreaties we may be counted worthy of earthly and heavenly gifts.
Ode V, Canon I, Irmos: All creation stands in awe of thy divine glory; * for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, * didst contain within thy womb the God of all, * and gave birth to the timeless Son, * bestowing peace, upon all who hymn thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Heaven and earth are amazed, beholding thy tender compassion toward the Christian race, O most glorious Virgin Mother, for thou dost condescend even to those sinners who have fallen the most, O most good one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Save thy servants from evils and tribulations, O Theotokos, and grant unto those who hymn thee the peace of God which transcendeth any earthly peace.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast given birth unto Him Who hath reconciled those above with those below, Who descended to earth for this purpose, yet hath not separated Himself from the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O Queen of heaven and earth! Rejoice, thou who dost surpass the angels and archangels! Rejoice, for through thee the Reconciler foretold to us by Jacob hath come down!
Canon II, Irmos: O Christ my Saviour, the enlightenment of those lying in the darkness of sin. * I rise early to hymn Thee O King of Peace, * enlighten me with Thy radiance, * for I know no other God than Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
From the spheres of the celestial lights the Archangel Gabriel brought to thee the joy of the annunciation; and obeying that ineffable counsel of God, O thou who art wondrous among women, thou thyself dost bring joy unto all who hymn thee with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast truly given unexpected joy to the whole universe – the world below and the world above, for He Who issued forth from thee hath brought peace and united those above with those below. Him do thou now beseech, that we be delivered from malice and misfortunes.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The poison of sin hath penetrated the whole human race through our ancient forefather, but He Who was born of thee hath cleansed, hallowed and saved all. Him do thou now beseech, that we be delivered from sinful and unseemly passions.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thy compassions are beyond number and are like unto the goodness of the Word thy Son. This we know, and know well. Yet what shall we render unto thee for them, O supremely compassionate Virgin Mother?
Ode VI, Canon I, Irmos: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast * of the Mother of God * O ye divinely wise, * let us come, clapping our hands, * and glorify God who was born of her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Spiritually celebrating a sacred festival now, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, come, let us hymn the Mother of God with songs, glorifying her Son, Who hath bestowed such grace upon His Mother.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Look upon the hymnody of thy servants, O Birthgiver of God, casting down the conceited pride of our enemies, visible and invisible, and pouring forth thine exalted mercies upon the humble.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the root from whence Christ, the Rod of Jesse, sprang forth: a Man from the house of David, and God Who is co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O joyous Mother! Rejoice, O thou who dost surpass all the daughters of mankind in beauty! Rejoice, O noble scion of the divinely chosen race of David!
Canon II, Irmos: I am held fast in the depths of sin O Saviour, * and am overwhelmed by the sea of life, * but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster, * so also deliver me from the passions, * and save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
By thy birthgiving thou hast saved the human race from Hades, death and corruption; wherefore, as is meet, all the ranks of heaven and earth bless thee as the Mother of the Destroyer of Hades, and our Liberator from death.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Turn not away from us because of our sins, O most holy Virgin, but by thy supplications mediate for us liberation from Hades and everlasting death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O the slothfulness, O the indifference toward our salvation, wherein we have wasted our whole life! What torment, what flames lie before us! Yet by the grace given thee, O Mother, save us!
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou didst bear Christ, the divine Fire, in thine arms without being consumed; wherefore, standing now before the fiery throne of His glory, pray thou, that He enflame us with the desire to do good.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone VI: We have none other help, we have none other hope but thee, O Lady. * Do thou help us! * In thee do we trust, and in thee do we boast; ** for we are thy servants. Let us not be put to shame.
Ikos: Entrust me not to the intercession of men, O most holy Lady, but accept the prayer of thy servant; for I am held fast by sorrow and cannot endure the arrows of the demons. I have no protection, neither have I any place to flee, wretched as I am. Ever vanquished, I have no consolation save thee, O Lady of the world. O hope and intercession of the faithful, disdain not mine entreaty, but render it profitable.
Ode VII, Canon I, Irmos: Refusing to worship created things * in place of the Creator, * the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire * and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou didst spurn all the beautiful things of this world, O pure one, desiring to serve God alone; and to Him thou didst chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Lady, to the one God do thou guide us who have failed utterly to follow the pious children, but have instead cleaved unto creation instead of the Creator; and teach us to chant: O God our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With noetic eyes, O Christ, Daniel foresaw Thee as the Stone uncut by human hands, destroying the vain kingdoms of mankind, for the salvation of those who hymn Thee, and the Father and the Spirit: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, from whence Christ was quarried, the Stone set by God the Father as the Cornerstone of His Church, to Whom we chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Canon II, Irmos: The bush which burned with fire on the mountain * and the dew-bearing furnace of the Chaldeans * clearly prefigured thee, O Bride of God; * for, without being consumed, * thou didst receive the divine and immaterial Fire * within thy material womb. * Wherefore, we chant unto Him Who was born of thee: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
God the Word, the Creator and Fashioner of all, in latter times made His abode within thy womb, O most glorious divine Maiden, and hath taught all to chant: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Sorrows, tribulations, and sicknesses have, because of the great multitude of our sins, brought our souls down in the abyss like the waves of the sea; yet setting our hope on thine aid, O Mother of God, we do not despair, but cry aloud to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Who in heaven can describe thy power, which He Who issued forth from thee hath given thee? And who on earth can render audible all the praises made to thy great protection and thine assistance to mortals, who chant: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”?
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Maiden who knewest not wedlock, cleanse our minds of vain thoughts and our hearts of wicked lusts, that with pure souls and undefiled lips we may chant unto thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Ode VIII, Canon I, Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos * saved the holy children in the furnace. * He who was then prefigured hath now been born on earth, * and He gathereth all creation to hymn thee: * all ye works praise ye the Lord * and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden, unto the words announced to thee by Gabriel: Thou shalt bear a Son Who doth save those who chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who issued forth from thee in the flesh saved from fire the children who gazed upon Him with faith. Him do thou beg, that He save us also who burn with the flame of the passions and sing to Him, thy Son: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Christ, Thou wast seen in the Babylonian furnace as a radiant Angel like in appearance unto the Son of God. Unto Thee, with the Father and the Spirit, do we chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O bush seen by Moses, who in latter times sprang forth from the root of David and hast given birth ineffably to the Saviour of all, to Whom we chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Canon II, Irmos: The three holy children were not obedient * to the decree of the tyrant; * and cast into the furnace they confessed God, singing: * O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The fleece wet with dew, which Gideon beheld, mystically prefigured thee, the Virgin Mother, who without knowing a man hast given birth to God the Word by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. To Him do we chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The mindless rage of the tyrant cast the pious children into the furnace kindled with fire, but thy Son quenched the power of the flame with mystic dew. Him do thou entreat, O most holy one, that He deliver us from everlasting fire and deprive us not of the dew-bearing kingdom, that we may chant there: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst serve the ineffable mystery of the incarnation of Christ, loving Him with all a mother’s love, and didst maternally lament Him as He hung upon the Cross. Him do thou entreat, that He not reject even the most hardened of sinners, that they may chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We glorify and hymn thee as is meet, O most compassionately merciful Mother; for thou art the great helper of the Christian race, our supremely good and speedy aid.
Ode IX, Canon I, Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth, * radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; * and let the host of the angelic powers * celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God, * and let them cry aloud: * Rejoice! O Theotokos, thou pure Ever-Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
God, Who became incarnate from thee and hath come unto us, rendered thy womb more spacious than the heavens. O wondrous marvel! The Infinite is contained in the Virgin’s womb, that we may hymn her throughout all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Entreat Him Who was ineffably conceived by thee in latter times, O Virgin Theotokos, that He transform all our grief into joy and grant us His never-waning light, that we may hymn thee throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the throne of the glory of God which Ezekiel mystically beheld, for thou didst receive into thy most pure womb the Son of God Who is co-enthroned with the Father and the Spirit, and didst hold Him in thy maternal arms.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O animate temple wherein God dwelt in the flesh! Rejoice, O ark overshadowed by the glory of the Son of God! Rejoice, O all-blessed and pure Ever-Virgin Theotokos!
Canon II, Irmos: Thou didst contain within thy Womb * the God whom nothing can contain, * and hast brought forth joy to the world, * wherefore we sing thy praises, * O Virgin Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast given to the world the good Shepherd Who sought the lost sheep, and with Him thou dost now reign. Lead unto Him all the sheep that have gone astray.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Father, Who passeth all understanding in His love for those who have fallen in Adam, hath through thee revealed the Lamb Who taketh away the sins of the whole world. Cease thou never to make supplication before Him, that by the Blood of His Son we may be sanctified and cleansed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Son of God Who art equally glorified with the Father and the Spirit, by the supplications of her who gave birth to Thee forsake us not who are perishing.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who was incarnate and became a man through thee hath set thee higher than all the angelic ranks. Standing there, lead us also up to the heights of heaven, taking away our every sin.
Troparion, in Tone IV: O ye faithful people, let us celebrate in spirit today, * glorifying the fervent helper of the Christian race; * and, hastening to her most pure image, let us cry aloud: * O most merciful Lady and Theotokos, * grant unexpected joy * unto us who are weighed down by sins and many sorrows, * and deliver us from all evil, * entreating thy Son, Christ our God, ** that He save our souls.