The Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow icon revealed itself as a miracle-working icon for the first time in Moscow in 1688. Euphemia, the sister of the patriarch at that time, Joachim, lived in Moscow and suffered since a long time from a severe incurable disease in her side. This exposed her inner organs and she was hardly alive. Once, in her prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Mother, she heard a voice, instructing her to pray before the icon called Joy of All Who Sorrow in one of the local churches. The moleben was served and, following it , the icon was brought into her house. Euphemia was sprinkled with holy water. She got well and rose from her bed by herself. This miracle took place on October 24, and a feast to the icon was established to commemorate that event. The Mother of God on this icon is portrayed in full figure with the Christ child in her arms. There is an angel on each side of her, and the faithful with their petitions for help and cure are at her feet. There are numerous recorded cases of divine help to all in need and in trouble, to those who suffer from seizure, infirmity in hands, throat diseases, trembling of muscles, stroke, and tuberculosis.
| Another miracle took place in the village of Klochka near St. 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. (The image to the right is the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" with coins. Click on it to enlarge.) 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. |
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