ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, 'JOY OF ALL THAT SORROW'

July 23rd

Icon used from: http://pages.infinit.net/byzicons/icons/02062_jsorrow_coins.jpg

This image was glorified in 1888 in Petersburg, when lightning hit a chapel during a terrible thunderstorm, but the holy icon of the Queen of Heaven located therein remained unharmed; only small brass coins (groshki [half-kopecks]), that were lying in front of the icon, stuck to it. On the site of the chapel, a church was built in 1898.

The miracle took place in the village of Klochka near Saint Petersburg, not far from a glass factory, in 1888. An image of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” was hanging in the village chapel. The building was struck by lightning, shattering the alms box and charring the chapel walls. The icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow” was found lying face down on the floor. When it was turned over, the image was found to have become fresh and clear, and coins from the alms box were sticking to its surface. Previously the icon, which had originally been found washed ashore on the Neva River, was dark and obscure. Its “Renewal” was seen as a sign from heaven, and its fame spread. Since then, the icon has been commemorated on July 23rd. (http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/info/ourlady.html)

ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, 'JOY OF ALL THAT SORROW'

HOLY PROPHET EZEKIEL

Troparion of the Icon Tone 4
Let us the sinful and unworthy fervently run to the Mother of God/ and fall down crying in repentance from the depths of our souls:/ Help us, O Lady who hast had mercy on us./ Hasten, for we perish from a multitude of sins./ Turn not thy servants empty away, for we have thee as our only hope.

Troparion of the Prophet Ezekiel Tone 3
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, O Prophet of God,/ thou didst proclaim the fulfillment of mysteries:/ God the Word's ineffable abasement/ and the resurrection of the dead from all past ages./ O glorious Ezekiel, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion of the Icon Tone 6
We have no other help, we have no other hope,/ apart from thee, O Lady./ Come to our help. We hope in thee/ and in thee we glory./ Let us not be confounded,/ for we are thy servants.

Kontakion of the Prophet Ezekiel Tone 4
Thou didst appear as a Prophet of God/ and foretell the Lord's incarnation to all,/ even of the Lamb and Creator Who became manifest as God's eternal Son.

The entire Akathist can be read here:

Akathist to the Theotokos

Kontakion 1

To Thee, the champion leader, do we Thy servants dedicate a hymn of victory and thanksgiving, as ones who have been delivered from eternal death by the Grace of Christ our God Who was born of Thee and by Thy maternal mediation before Him. As Thou dost have invincible might, free us from all misfortunes and sorrowful circumstances who cry aloud:Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of Grace, Joy of all who sorrow!

Ikos 1

An archangel was sent from Heaven to declare unto the Theotokos: Rejoice, announcing the divine Incarnation of Christ, Who desired to be born of Her, the Joy of the whole world which was languishing in sorrow. Wherefore, heavy laden with sins, but having obtained the hope of salvation in Thee, we cry out to Thee with compunction:

Rejoice, goodwill of God toward sinners!

Rejoice, strong help for those who repent before the Lord God!

Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam!

Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!

Rejoice, Thou that dost remove the stain of sin!

Rejoice, laver that dost wash the conscience clean!

Rejoice, Thou that didst bear the Redeemer Who freely cleanseth us of our transgressions!

Rejoice, all-wonderous reconciliation of all with God!

Rejoice, bridge that dost truly lead us from death to life!

Rejoice, Thou that savest the world from the flood of sin!

Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which the Lord descended to us!

Rejoice, cause of deification for all!

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of Grace, Joy of all who sorrow!