November 6, the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God "The Joy of All Sorrows".
How much comfort lies in the very name of this icon - awakening, strengthening people's faith in the Mother of God, as in a miraculous servant, who rushes to wherever the groan of human suffering is heard, wipes the tears of those who cry and in the very sorrow gives moments of comfort and heavenly joy. Happy forever, oh, heavenly joy of the mourners!
Due to people's belief in the mercy of the Mother of God on the human race, the custom began to describe the Mother of God according to what was heard in the words of the prayer to her: "Oh, Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, you are the angel and the highest angel of all and the most honored of all creatures. You help the poor, help, help. Comfort for the sad, sister for the hungry, clothing for the naked, healing for the sick, salvation for sinners, help and intercession for all Christians." That is why the Mother of God is painted full height, sometimes with the child in her arms (as in the Moscow prototype), sometimes without the child (as in the recently published icon with coins in St. Petersburg, near the glass factory), surrounded by various types of people in need - naked, offended, hungry. Near these distressed persons are often depicted angels, sent by the Lady to quench human suffering; Angels, approaching the people, direct them to the Mother of God, who is written on the icons "Joy to all who mourn" either in glory, with a crown on her head and in royal clothing, or in the usual clothing of her earthly days and a white robe on her head.
In Moscow in the 17th century, one icon of the Mother of God was published with this name. The first miracle of it occurred in 1648 on the sick Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, who lived in Ordinka. She suffered badly from a wound in her side. The wound was so big that the inside was visible. The patient waited for death, but at the same time did not lose hope for divine help. One day, having sought to communicate with her the holy mysteries, she began to cry out to the Most Holy Theotokos with great faith.