If trouble happened to you or your loved ones in a foreign land, you were slandered or illegally deprived of property, then a prayer to the icon of the “Three Joys” can help all those who are innocently guilty and bear the burden of unfair punishment.
The history of this image is unusual and contains many secrets and miracles.
It is believed that the original of the “Three Joys” icon was brought to Moscow by a talented Russian artist during the time of Peter I. The beginning of the 18th century was marked by a fashion for everything Western, the borders of the state became open, and rich noble youth gained the opportunity to receive education abroad. One aspiring artist took advantage of this. Having studied painting in Italy, he brought several paintings home, among which was the painting “The Holy Family.” On it, in a free manner, not at all according to Orthodox church canons, four figures were depicted - the Mother of God, the baby Jesus, Joseph the Betrothed and John the Baptist.
How did the creation take place?
In the manner of painting, the canvas was very reminiscent of the paintings of the great Renaissance artist Raphael Santi, in particular, his “Holy Family” and “Madonna in an Armchair”. Probably, his creations inspired the Russian painter so much that he created his own free interpretation.
The artist gave the painting to his relative, the priest of the Moscow Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Gryazekh. Unfortunately, history has not preserved the name of the author of the work. After the painter’s death, the priest placed the painting as an icon above the entrance to the temple, in front of the porch, giving it the name “Holy Family.” Alas, the original icon has not survived to this day; during the days of the Revolution it was irretrievably lost. But now in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity there is kept a list close to the original source, made back in the 19th century. So why is this icon so revered in Russia and why is the prayer of the “Three Joys” addressed to it considered very powerful?
History of the image in Russia
From the beginning of the 18th century, in pursuance of the reform plans of Peter I for the Europeanization of Russia, many Russians began to go abroad to study. There were also artists among them: they studied with recognized masters and became acquainted with the most outstanding works of the classics.
One of these Russian painters, whose name has not been preserved by history, made a copy of Raphael’s painting “The Holy Family”. This is how the holy image appeared, which, upon the return of its creator from Italy, was donated by him to the Moscow Trinity Church near the Intercession Gate of the city, otherwise called “on the mud”, since a stream flowed nearby, swamping the surrounding area.
For the Russian tradition, the image was not typical, unusual. Therefore, at first he was not considered one of those revered. The rector of the temple, presumably a relative of the painter, even placed it only on the porch.
Three troubles, three joys
About 40 years after the image appeared in Moscow, it unexpectedly became famous for its miracle. A city resident found herself in a difficult, seemingly hopeless situation, when several misfortunes “fell” on her at the same time: her husband was expelled from Moscow on false charges, the family’s property was described and transferred to the state. But the woman, left without a livelihood and without a husband, was finally crushed by the news that her son, a military man, was captured.
It seemed like it was time to despair, but the Muscovite trusted in the Mother of God, tearfully and fervently prayed to Her. And not in a dream, but in reality, she heard a voice commanding her to look for the icon of the Holy Family. Having walked around several churches, she still found a shrine that was in obscurity on the very porch of the Trinity Church. And after fervent prayer before her, she found out: her husband was acquitted, the estate was returned. Soon the son returned safe and sound. Because of this miracle, the image then became known as “Three Joys.”
The history of the appearance of the icon
The story goes that forty years after the “Holy Family” found itself in the temple, miracles associated with it began to occur. One day, a venerable lady appeared in front of the icon with a fervent prayer on her lips. She came to the icon for many days in a row, asking for help. The woman’s prayerful zeal and the unusual choice of the icon located outside the church attracted the attention of parishioners and clergy. As it turned out during communication, three misfortunes happened in her life: her husband was slandered and sent to prison, her son was captured on a military campaign, and all her property was confiscated. For a long time, the mother of the family prayed in tears for help to the Most Holy Theotokos, until one day in a dream she heard a voice commanding her to go to the “Holy Family” icon. Having awakened, the woman went as soon as possible to look for a temple in which there could be such an icon. The lady had to go around many Moscow churches before getting to the Trinity Church on Gryazekh at the Pokrovsky Gate, where she saw the long-awaited image above the church entrance in front of the porch.
Then the woman threw herself on her knees and began to pray tirelessly. After some time, three miracles, three joys happened: the son returned alive, the husband was released, and the property was returned. Since then, in honor of these events, the icon was renamed “Three Joys” and moved inside the temple. Over the years, many miracles associated with the icon have happened. They began to copy the painting according to Orthodox iconographic canons, but the content remained the same - the holy family in the person of the infant Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and the young John the Baptist. The image was revered even in the royal house of the Romanov family.
Iconography of the Three Joys
Icon of the Mother of God of the Three Joys
A distinctive feature of this sacred image is that on the sides of the Virgin and Child there is an old man written, right. Joseph, and also St. John the Baptist. We see him here as a youth.
Interesting fact
An image of this type goes back to Catholic painting, and in general to the Western tradition of venerating the “Holy Family”. The holiday in honor of him is celebrated by Catholics on the following Sunday after the Nativity of Christ.
There are also many temples dedicated to the host of Christ’s relatives according to the flesh. These are usually included and depicted on icons:
- Most Pure Mary;
- Baby Jesus;
- St. Joseph;
- Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, the mother of the Baptist, sometimes his father, Zechariah;
- St. himself John;
- there is also an image of rights. Anna, mother of Mary.
But most often the icon of the Holy Family is an image of the Virgin Mary, Child and Rights. Joseph, less often - together with St. John the Baptist. At the beginning of the 18th century. a copy of one of these images ended up in Russia.
This is interesting: What do we know about the parents of the Most Holy Theotokos - Saints Joachim and Anna?
How does the “Three Joys” prayer help?
It is believed that the icon of the “Three Joys” should be prayed in cases when people:
- got into difficult situations in a foreign country;
- ended up in captivity and on the battlefields;
- lost their shelter and property;
- suffered from slander.
In prayers to the icon, they often ask for a successful marriage, for children for infertile couples, for the admonition of people who have lost their minds, for a way out of a difficult situation.
It is best to read the prayer in front of the icon of the “Three Joys” after confession and communion, with a pure soul and heart.
Below are the prayer, text of the troparion and kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The meaning of the “Three Joys” icon
On the sacred canvas we see an image of the Virgin Mary holding the Divine Infant in her arms, flanked by John the Baptist and Joseph the Betrothed. Their looks exude boundless love, which they send to the Son of God.
Legend has it that some years later, after the list of the “Holy Family” was transferred to the temple, one very noble Moscow lady was overtaken by three troubles at the same time:
Her husband was undeservedly slandered, after which he was sent into exile. All the estate acquired by the spouses was taken away to the state treasury. The son, the only consolation of the miserable mother, was captured during the war.
What could the unhappy woman do? She began to pray to the Queen of Heaven for help and intercession for her innocent husband and son. And only in prayers did she find joy. Soon she had a vision in a dream of someone’s voice telling her to find the image of the “Holy Family.”
The grieving woman walked around many temples and churches in Moscow until she finally came across the Trinity Church. Seeing the long-awaited face of the Most Holy Theotokos, she fell to her knees in front of him. After fervent, sincere prayer, she soon received three joyful news: her husband was acquitted and returned home, their property was returned from the treasury, and their son was freed from captivity.
Must read: Holy Martyr Boniface of Rome
Since then, the holy miraculous image received its current name “Three Joys”.
Dear brothers and sisters! We invite you to visit the unique resource https://www.slovo-pomoshi.ru/. With its help, you can convey your aspirations to St. Petersburg churches, chapels, monasteries, and also contact the righteous at the place of their burial. We will write a note ourselves, take it to the temple and send you a photo report by email. Turning to God with the help of prayers has helped many people overcome grief, regain health and the joy of worldly life.
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Prayer to the icon of the “Three Joys”
Oh, Most Holy Virgin, the All-Blessed Son of the All-Blessed Mother, the protection of the reigning city and the holy temple of this temple, faithful representative and intercessor of all! Do not despise the prayers of us, your unworthy servants, but beg your son and our God, so that all of us, with faith and tenderness before your miraculous image, worship, according to every need, grant joy: to the sinner all-effective admonition, repentance and salvation; consolation for those who are in sorrow and sorrow; in the troubles and bitterness of those who remain there is a complete abundance of these; hope and patience for the faint-hearted and unreliable; those who live in joy and abundance give unceasing thanksgiving to God; those who exist in illness are healing and strengthening. O Madam Most Pure! Have mercy on all who honor Your honorable name, and show everyone Your all-powerful protection and intercession: protect and preserve your people from visible and invisible enemies. Establish marriages in love and like-mindedness; educate infants, young ones to be wise, open their minds to the perception of every useful teaching; Protect half-blooded people from domestic quarrels with peace and love, and give us all love for each other, peace and piety and health with long life, so that everyone in heaven and on earth will lead You, as a strong and shameless representative of the Christian race, and these leading , glorify Thee and Thy Son with Thee, with His beginningless Father and His consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The history of the icon of the Mother of God “Three Joys”
The beginning of the history of the canvas comes from Italy, where it was created by the famous artist Raphael. Initially, the painting was titled “The Holy Family.”
A list of this icon came to Russia in the 18th century. The day of veneration of the icon is considered to be January 8, the day after the Nativity of Christ.
The image received a new name after an unusual event. A woman whose husband was imprisoned as a result of slander, whose son was captured by enemies, and whose home was taken away, prayed for salvation. She prayed a lot until she saw a dream in which an unknown voice led her to an image depicting Saint Mary with a child in her arms.
After which she walked around the churches of Moscow for a long time, until she finally found this icon on Pokrovka on the porch of the Trinity Church, and continued her prayers in front of it. The result of such actions was salvation. The misfortunes disappeared and left behind three joys in the place of three troubles. After this story, there was no doubt about what to call this work of art.
Based on the events that took place, the shrine is of great importance for those who face the same situations as the heroine of the story.
This icon was revered by many famous personalities. What do believers pray for? It is believed that prayer in front of this holy image helps preserve family well-being, exonerate from undeserved accusations, find a lost item, win a victory, protect during war, and direct thoughts to the true path.
Without a doubt, you should also read the article about the meaning of the Tree of Life icon.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Her “Three Joys”
Voice 4
From Your holy icon/ You filled the heart of a pious woman with unspeakable joy./ O Most Pure Lady of the world,/ Almighty Queen of joy, Ever-Virgin creatures,/ always She returned her husband, her son, and her property,/ so you are merciful to all of us,/ Grant the fulfillment of good desires,/ exuding an ever-flowing source of joy to those who pray to You/ and to those who cry out with all their hearts:/ You have given birth to joy to the whole world,// Fill those who revere You with unfailing joy .
Where is the icon of the Three Joys currently located?
Unfortunately, after the revolution, during the period of persecution of the church, the original icon of the “Holy Family” disappeared, so in our time we can only venerate copies of the icon of the “Three Joys”. They are located in the Church of the Deposition of the Venerable Robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae in Moscow, in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in Leonovo, which is now part of Moscow, as well as in the house church at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Another list is located in the village of Gryazi, Moscow region, in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.
Veneration on January 8, the day after the Nativity of Christ
The meaning and help emanating from the Mother of God image
The miraculous face was especially revered in the Royal House.
Now there are several lists of the miraculous icon. One of them resides in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Gryazekh, and a couple of others adorn the churches of Moscow.
Read about famous churches in Moscow:
Church of the Nine Martyrs of KizicheskTemple of the All-Merciful Savior in MitinoChurch of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki
Our Lady of the Three Joys
Before the highly revered face of the “Three Joys,” Orthodox parishioners of churches offer the sincere and fiery prayer of the Three Joys:
About calling for help for yourself and family and loved ones who are in trouble; About forgiveness of committed sins; About strengthening in faith; About preserving the lives of military personnel located in the battlefields; About liberation from enemy captivity; About salvation from enemies; About the resolution of important affairs; About healing from illnesses; About successful marriage and marriage; About the gift of children to infertile couples; About the return of mind to people who have lost their minds.
The holy icon is of great importance for people living in other countries who find themselves in difficult situations in a foreign land.
