Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Feast Day

When Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Feast Day?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Theotokos is commemorated on October 24 in the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar, corresponding to November 6 on the Gregorian civil calendar in churches following the traditional Julian calendar.

The feast honors a revered image of the Mother of God that became especially famous in Moscow in 1688 following the reported healing of a woman named Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim.

Another important commemoration takes place on July 23 / August 5, honoring the Saint Petersburg icon known as Joy of All Who Sorrow (With Coins).

These are two different historical images belonging to the same broader Orthodox iconographic tradition.

The title Joy of All Who Sorrow expresses the Christian understanding of the Virgin Mary as a compassionate intercessor who prays for those experiencing grief, poverty, illness, loneliness, persecution, and other forms of suffering.

In traditional compositions, the Theotokos is shown standing in glory, surrounded by people seeking help and comfort.

Angels may appear beside the suffering, bringing assistance and directing their attention toward the Mother of God.

Unlike many Orthodox Marian icons that emphasize only Mary and the Christ Child, the Joy of All Who Sorrow composition often includes an entire community of people in need.

Some versions depict Mary holding the Christ Child, while others show her standing without Him in her arms.

These variations reflect the development of the image in Russian Orthodox iconography from the seventeenth century onward.

The icon is particularly associated with prayers for consolation, compassion, healing, perseverance, and hope in God.

Its spiritual meaning extends beyond personal sorrow to include Christian responsibility toward the hungry, poor, sick, and oppressed.

The central message of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon is that Christian hope, prayer, and compassionate action remain important even during suffering and difficult circumstances.

Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Feast Day at a Glance

Joy of All Who Sorrow Feast Day Dates for 2026, 2027, and 2028

The principal commemoration is fixed on October 24 in the traditional Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar.

Main Feast — October 24 / November 6

The feast commemorates the icon's glorification in Moscow following the healing of Euphemia in 1688.

Joy of All Who Sorrow (With Coins) — July 23 / August 5

This commemoration recalls the events at a chapel near Saint Petersburg in 1888.

Why Are October 24 and November 6 Both Listed?

They represent the same ecclesiastical feast observed under different fixed-date calendar systems.

During the twenty-first century, the Julian calendar is thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar.

Is July 23 a Second Feast of the Same Painting?

No. The July commemoration concerns a different historical image known as Joy of All Who Sorrow (With Coins).

Do All Orthodox Parishes Celebrate Both Feasts?

No. Their prominence depends on the jurisdiction, local liturgical calendar, and dedication of the parish.

Do These Dates Change With Orthodox Pascha?

No. They are fixed commemorations, although their weekday and fasting observances vary annually.

What Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow is a distinctive Orthodox iconographic image of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The image emphasizes Mary's compassion toward people experiencing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual hardship.

The Virgin Mary is usually represented standing in the center of a larger composition, surrounded by people asking for help.

These people may include the sick, the hungry, the poor, the wronged, travelers, elderly people, and those overwhelmed by grief.

Angels are often represented bringing assistance to them.

The arrangement expresses the Orthodox tradition of the intercession of the Mother of God and God's concern for human suffering.

In some versions, Mary holds the Christ Child, emphasizing the Incarnation and His identity as the source of salvation.

In other versions, she stands with her hands extended in a gesture of compassion or blessing-like intercession.

She may wear royal garments and a crown or traditional Marian clothing with a mantle covering her head.

A radiant halo, mandorla, or surrounding golden light may emphasize her heavenly glory.

The Joy of All Who Sorrow is especially important because its subject extends beyond a single biblical narrative.

It visually presents the Christian belief that prayer, mercy, and care for suffering people are fundamental expressions of faith.

Its compositions developed particularly in Russian Orthodox iconography during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The icon remains a familiar image in Orthodox churches and homes, especially among those seeking consolation during difficult circumstances.

What Does Joy of All Who Sorrow Mean?

The title Joy of All Who Sorrow is a devotional name of the Virgin Mary within Orthodox Christian tradition.

It expresses her role as a compassionate Mother who intercedes before Jesus Christ for people experiencing suffering.

Does the Title Mean That Christians Never Experience Sadness?

No. Christianity recognizes grief, illness, death, and human suffering as real experiences.

What Kind of Joy Does the Title Describe?

It refers primarily to spiritual consolation, hope in Christ, and the assurance of God's mercy.

Does It Mean Mary Is the Source of Salvation?

No. Orthodox Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the Savior.

The Virgin Mary is honored as an intercessor who prays to her Son.

Why Is the Mother of God Associated With Compassion?

Orthodox devotion emphasizes her maternal love and her prayerful concern for humanity.

Does the Title Include People Who Are Poor or Hungry?

Yes. The image explicitly includes forms of material hardship alongside emotional and physical suffering.

Does It Include People Experiencing Loneliness or Grief?

Yes. The title is understood broadly enough to include many forms of sorrow.

What Is the Main Spiritual Lesson?

Believers are encouraged to seek God's mercy and to provide compassionate assistance to others.

How Did the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Become Famous in 1688?

The best-known early history of the icon is associated with Moscow in 1688.

At that time, a revered image of the Mother of God was preserved in the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ on Ordynka.

According to Orthodox tradition, a woman named Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, was suffering from a severe illness.

The traditional account describes a serious wound in her side that caused prolonged pain and placed her life in danger.

Despite her condition, Euphemia continued praying and asking the Mother of God for help.

One day, according to the narrative, she heard a voice directing her to an icon in the Transfiguration Church called Joy of All Who Sorrow.

She was instructed to request a prayer service before the icon, accompanied by the blessing of water.

The priest was summoned, and a moleben, or Orthodox service of supplication, was celebrated.

According to the Church's account, Euphemia was healed after the service.

The event took place on October 24, 1688, according to the Julian calendar then used in Moscow.

The story spread, and the icon became widely known among Orthodox Christians.

A special annual commemoration was established in remembrance of the reported healing.

The event became especially important in the history of the Joy of All Who Sorrow iconographic tradition.

Although the healing is preserved as a miracle in Orthodox sacred tradition, its extraordinary aspects should be distinguished from independently verifiable medical evidence.

Who Was Euphemia, the Sister of Patriarch Joachim?

Euphemia, sometimes transliterated as Euphymia or Yevfimiya, is remembered in the sacred history of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon.

Who Was Patriarch Joachim?

Joachim was Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia from 1674 until 1690.

Was Euphemia His Sister?

Yes. She is identified as his sister in the traditional account.

Where Did She Live?

In Moscow, in the area associated with Ordynka.

What Illness Did She Have?

The historical church narrative describes a severe and painful wound in her side.

What Did She Hear During Prayer?

According to tradition, she heard a voice instructing her to seek help through prayers before the icon.

Did She Visit the Church Herself?

Versions of the story differ in certain details, but the familiar account describes a priest bringing the icon to her home.

What Is a Moleben With the Blessing of Water?

It is an Orthodox service involving prayers of supplication and the blessing of water.

What Happened After the Service?

According to the sacred narrative, Euphemia recovered from her illness.

Why Is Her Story Important?

It became the central historical-devotional event associated with the October feast.

Where Is the Church of the Joy of All Who Sorrow in Moscow?

The Moscow church associated with the icon's famous 1688 commemoration is located on Bolshaya Ordynka Street.

It is known as the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow and also as the Church of the Transfiguration on Ordynka.

Was This the Site Associated With the 1688 Healing?

Yes. The church tradition connects the healing of Euphemia with the icon preserved there.

Did the Church Exist Before 1688?

Yes. The church has an earlier history, with documentary references dating to the seventeenth century.

Is the Present Building Identical to the Seventeenth-Century Church?

No. It underwent later architectural changes, rebuilding, and restoration.

Does the Church Preserve the Tradition of the Icon?

Yes. The church remains an important center of veneration of the Joy of All Who Sorrow.

Was the Icon Also Associated With Saint Petersburg?

Yes. The history includes other revered images and traditions in Saint Petersburg, but not all of these were the same physical painting.

Is the Exact Provenance of Every Historical Version Certain?

No. The precise history of individual icons and copies can be complex, and historical accounts sometimes differ.

Why Is This Distinction Important?

It prevents the Moscow prototype, later copies, and the separate Saint Petersburg icon with coins from being confused with one another.

What Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon With Coins?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon (With Coins) is a celebrated Saint Petersburg version of the image.

It is sometimes called Joy of All Who Sorrow With Pennies, although the traditional coins were small Russian copper denominations rather than American pennies.

The image became famous following events on July 23, 1888, in the Julian calendar then used in Russia.

What Happened in 1888?

According to Orthodox tradition, a violent thunderstorm struck a chapel near a glass factory in the Saint Petersburg area.

Was the Chapel Damaged?

Yes. Traditional accounts describe lightning causing fire and damage inside the building.

What Happened to the Icon?

It fell to the floor but reportedly survived the incident without the destructive damage suffered by other objects.

What Happened to the Collection Box?

The box used to collect donations broke apart.

Why Did Coins Become Attached to the Icon?

According to the traditional account, twelve small coins from the collection box became attached to its surface during the incident.

How Many Coins Were There?

Twelve are described in the established devotional narrative.

What Kind of Coins Were They?

They are commonly identified as small half-kopeck copper coins.

Did the Icon Appear Renewed?

According to the account, the image appeared unusually bright after the incident, despite having been darkened previously by age and smoke.

Was the Incident Regarded as Miraculous?

Yes. Orthodox believers associated the event with divine mercy and the intercession of the Theotokos.

Was a Church Later Built at the Site?

Yes. A church was built there in 1898.

When Is This Icon Commemorated?

July 23 in the ecclesiastical calendar, corresponding to August 5 Gregorian in current Old Calendar practice.

Is the Icon With Coins the Moscow Original?

No. It is a distinct historical image with its own devotional history.

What Is the Difference Between the Moscow Icon and the Icon With Coins?

Both images belong to the Joy of All Who Sorrow tradition, but they are connected with different events and iconographic details.

Do Both Icons Show Suffering People?

Yes. The wider iconographic tradition commonly includes people experiencing hardship.

Do Both Represent the Same Theotokos?

Yes. They honor the same Virgin Mary while preserving different artistic and devotional traditions.

Does One Replace the Other?

No. Each has its own history and commemoration.

Can Both Be Used in Orthodox Prayer?

Yes. Suitable reproductions of both images may be used for veneration and prayer.

What Does the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Look Like?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow iconographic tradition is distinguished by its multi-figure composition.

The Mother of God is typically represented as the central and largest figure, surrounded by those seeking consolation and help.

The Mother of God

Mary may be shown standing upon a cloud or elevated platform, surrounded by radiant light.

The Christ Child

In some versions, she holds Jesus Christ in her arms. Other versions omit the Child from the central figure.

The Golden Crown

Some compositions depict Mary in royal garments with a crown, expressing her traditional title Queen of Heaven.

The Halo or Mandorla

Radiant light emphasizes her holiness and glorification.

The Suffering People

Groups of the hungry, sick, poor, wronged, sorrowful, and vulnerable appear around her.

The Angels

Angels often appear beside the suffering people, communicating assistance and directing attention toward the Theotokos.

The Scrolls and Inscriptions

Small texts may identify different kinds of suffering or explain the help offered.

The Extended Hands

Some versions depict Mary's hands extended in a gesture of maternal compassion and intercession.

The Royal Scepter

In certain compositions, Mary holds a scepter, reflecting traditional images of heavenly queenship.

The Clothing of Those in Need

Different garments, gestures, crutches, and other details distinguish the circumstances of the figures.

The Overall Composition

The image emphasizes that the Mother of God's intercession is sought by people from many social circumstances and walks of life.

Why Are Angels and Suffering People Depicted in the Icon?

The angels and suffering figures are essential to the theological message of many Joy of All Who Sorrow compositions.

The Hungry

They represent people who lack sufficient food and depend on the compassion of others.

The Poor

They remind believers of the Christian responsibility to help those facing material hardship.

The Sick

They express the need for comfort, care, prayer, and practical assistance during illness.

The Wronged

They represent those experiencing injustice or mistreatment.

The Travelers

They symbolize people away from home or facing uncertainty during journeys.

The Elderly

They represent people who may need care, assistance, and companionship.

The Grieving

They represent those mourning a death, loss, or other painful experience.

The Angels

They represent heavenly assistance, bringing comfort and directing attention toward the Theotokos.

Why Are Different Social Groups Included?

The composition emphasizes the universal character of Christian compassion.

Does the Icon Encourage Charity?

Yes. The image offers a visual reminder that prayer should be accompanied by love and concern for people in need.

What Makes the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Unique?

Many familiar Orthodox icons of the Theotokos focus on her relationship with the Christ Child.

The Joy of All Who Sorrow also emphasizes the relationship between the Mother of God and suffering humanity.

Is It a Hodegetria Icon?

No. It does not belong to the conventional Hodegetria type characterized by Mary presenting Christ as the way of salvation.

Is It an Eleusa Icon?

No. The composition differs from the intimate cheek-to-cheek embrace associated with the Virgin of Tenderness.

Is It Connected With Byzantine Iconography?

It belongs to the wider Orthodox sacred art tradition, but its characteristic multi-figure form developed especially in Russian icon painting.

When Did the Iconographic Type Become Widespread?

It gained particular prominence from the late seventeenth century onward.

Are There Different Versions?

Yes. The iconographic tradition includes variations in the position of Mary, the presence of the Christ Child, the angels, and the suffering figures.

Does Every Copy Have the Same Inscriptions?

No. Individual icon painters and regional traditions used different texts and arrangements.

What Is the Most Distinctive Feature?

The central image of the Mother of God surrounded by people seeking consolation and divine mercy.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon?

The icon communicates several important aspects of Orthodox Christian life.

Christian Hope

It reminds believers that suffering does not eliminate the possibility of spiritual consolation.

Divine Mercy

The image encourages trust in God's love and compassion.

The Intercession of the Theotokos

Mary is honored as one who prays for Christians before her Son.

Compassion for the Poor

The image emphasizes the importance of helping people who lack food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities.

Comfort During Illness

The presence of sick and disabled figures encourages prayer and care for people experiencing physical suffering.

Consolation During Grief

The icon offers a religious expression of hope for people mourning a loved one or facing difficult circumstances.

Humility

It reminds believers that every person may experience vulnerability and need assistance.

Community

The many figures emphasize that Christians are called to support one another.

Prayer and Action

It connects intercessory prayer with practical expressions of mercy.

Faith in Jesus Christ

Its spiritual meaning remains connected with Christ, His Incarnation, and the Christian hope of salvation.

What Bible Passages Help Explain the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon?

Although the icon's particular historical narratives are not found in the Bible, its spiritual themes are deeply connected with Christian Scripture.

Matthew 5:4 — Comfort for Those Who Mourn

In the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks about those who mourn and the promise of consolation.

Matthew 25:35–40 — Helping Those in Need

Christ teaches about feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing those in need, and visiting the sick.

Luke 1:46–55 — The Magnificat

Mary praises God for His mercy and His concern for the humble.

Luke 4:18 — Good News to the Poor

Jesus speaks of His mission in relation to the poor, the oppressed, and those in need of liberation.

John 2:1–11 — The Wedding at Cana

Mary brings a human need to Jesus, a passage often discussed in connection with her intercession.

John 19:25–27 — Mary at the Cross

The Gospel describes Mary standing near Jesus during His Crucifixion.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — The God of All Comfort

Saint Paul describes God as the source of comfort and teaches that Christians should console others.

Psalm 34:18 — God Near the Brokenhearted

The Psalm expresses the closeness of the Lord to those experiencing sorrow.

Revelation 21:4 — The End of Suffering

The vision of the new creation describes the final overcoming of death, mourning, and pain.

James 2:14–17 — Faith and Works

The Epistle emphasizes that genuine faith should result in practical care for others.

Can Orthodox Christians Pray Before the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon?

Yes. Orthodox Christians may pray before the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon and ask the Most Holy Theotokos to intercede before her Son, Jesus Christ.

Orthodox theology distinguishes the veneration of sacred icons and saints from the worship offered to God alone.

What May Christians Pray for Before This Icon?

• Consolation during grief and loss.
• Comfort during illness and suffering.
• Strength during difficult life circumstances.
• Peace for families experiencing conflict.
• Help for the poor, hungry, and homeless.
• Support for people experiencing loneliness.
• Wisdom when facing important decisions.
• Patience during prolonged hardship.
• Healing of emotional pain.
• Greater compassion toward other people.
• Perseverance in Christian faith.
• Hope in the mercy of Jesus Christ.

A Simple Prayer Before the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon

Most Holy Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow, loving Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask for your prayers before your Son. Comfort those who grieve, remember the lonely, and strengthen those who suffer from illness, poverty, fear, and despair. Help our families remain faithful to Christ and teach us to show mercy to others. Guide us toward patience, humility, reconciliation, and sincere love. Through your intercession, may the Lord fill our hearts with hope, grant peace to those in distress, and lead us toward the joy of His Kingdom. Amen.

This is an original suggested personal prayer rather than an official translation of an Orthodox liturgical text.

Does the Icon Have a Troparion?

Yes. Orthodox liturgical tradition includes hymns honoring the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon.

Does It Have a Kontakion?

Yes. Its commemorations include traditional kontakia.

Is There an Akathist?

Yes. An Akathist to the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, is used in Orthodox devotional practice.

Can Christians Pray Before the Icon for Someone Who Is Sick?

Yes. Prayer may accompany appropriate medical care, practical assistance, and support for the person experiencing illness.

Does Prayer Guarantee Healing?

No. Orthodox Christianity does not teach that a particular icon or prayer guarantees a specific outcome.

Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Considered Wonderworking?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon is traditionally honored as a wonderworking icon in Orthodox Christianity.

This designation reflects accounts of miraculous assistance associated with particular historical images.

What Does Wonderworking Mean?

It is a devotional term used for sacred images associated with reported miracles.

Is the Healing of Euphemia Considered a Miracle?

Yes. The Orthodox tradition of the October feast centers on this reported healing.

Is the Lightning Incident of 1888 Considered Miraculous?

Yes. The preservation of the icon and the attached coins became the focus of its particular devotional tradition.

Does the Painting Have Independent Magical Power?

No. Orthodox theology attributes divine assistance to God rather than independent supernatural power within material objects.

Are All Miracle Accounts Historically Verifiable?

No. Some accounts belong to religious tradition, while historical research may establish only certain surrounding events.

Why Is This Distinction Important?

It allows readers to understand religious beliefs while recognizing the limits of historical and scientific evidence.

What Should Icon Veneration Encourage?

Faithfulness to Christ, prayer, repentance, humility, compassion, and responsible care for others.

Joy of All Who Sorrow and Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon has an important connection with the history of Orthodox Christianity in the United States.

Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California, is dedicated to the Mother of God under this title.

The cathedral is also closely associated with Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco, one of the most widely venerated modern Orthodox hierarchs.

Where Is Holy Virgin Cathedral?

It is located in San Francisco, California.

What Is Its Full Dedication?

The cathedral is dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow.

Was Saint John Connected With the Cathedral?

Yes. He played a major role in the completion of its construction and the development of the parish community.

When Was the Cathedral Completed?

The new cathedral began regular liturgical use during the 1960s, with Saint John's ministry central to its completion.

Is Saint John Buried There?

His relics are enshrined at Holy Virgin Cathedral.

When Does the Cathedral Celebrate Its Patronal Feast?

November 6, according to its traditional Old Calendar observance.

Does the Cathedral Have a Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon?

Yes. The cathedral's iconography includes the revered image of the Mother of God surrounded by those seeking her intercession.

Does This Mean the Moscow Original Is in San Francisco?

No. The cathedral honors the same iconographic tradition, not necessarily the original historical painting from Moscow.

Why Is This Connection Important?

It demonstrates how the veneration of the Joy of All Who Sorrow spread beyond Russia and became part of Orthodox Christian life in North America.

How Does the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Compare With Other Marian Icons?

The Joy of All Who Sorrow differs from several well-known icons of the Theotokos because of its emphasis on the suffering people surrounding Mary.

Is Joy of All Who Sorrow the Same as the Vladimir Icon?

No. The Vladimir Icon emphasizes the intimate embrace between Mary and Jesus.

Is It the Same as the Kazan Icon?

No. The Kazan Icon uses a different composition within the Hodegetria family.

Is It the Same as the Iveron Portaitissa?

No. The Iveron Icon has a distinct history associated with Mount Athos and the Gatekeeper tradition.

Is It the Same as the Kursk Root Icon?

No. The Kursk Root image has a different central composition and includes traditional prophetic figures.

What Makes Joy of All Who Sorrow Different?

It combines an image of the Theotokos with a broad visual representation of people experiencing human suffering.

Can the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Be Placed in an Orthodox Home?

Yes. A suitable reproduction of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon may be placed in an Orthodox family prayer corner.

Is It Appropriate for People Experiencing Grief?

Yes. Its devotional meaning is especially connected with comfort, hope, and prayer during suffering.

Can It Be Given to Someone Who Has Lost a Loved One?

Yes, if the recipient would welcome an Orthodox religious gift.

Is It Suitable for a Family Prayer Corner?

Yes. It may be placed alongside icons of Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, and other saints.

Must the Icon Be Hand-Painted?

No. Orthodox devotional use also includes suitable printed and other reproduced icons.

Does the Icon Have to Be Expensive?

No. Its devotional meaning is not determined by its commercial value.

Can Families Use the Icon During Evening Prayer?

Yes. It is suitable for regular Orthodox prayer.

Can It Be Used When Praying for Someone in Need?

Yes. The composition makes it especially meaningful for prayers concerning people experiencing hardship.

Does Its Presence Automatically Protect the Home?

No. Orthodox icons are not magical protective objects.

What Is Most Important?

The icon should encourage faith, prayer, compassion, and responsible Christian living.

Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Feast Day a Fasting Day?

The feast does not establish a separate annual fasting period.

Applicable fasting rules depend on the weekday, seasonal calendar, and Orthodox jurisdiction.

Is October 24 During the Nativity Fast?

No. It falls before the usual beginning of the Nativity Fast.

Is November 6 During the Old Calendar Nativity Fast?

No. It precedes the traditional Old Calendar Nativity Fast.

What Happens on October 24, 2027?

The New Calendar commemoration falls on Sunday, outside the ordinary Wednesday and Friday fasting pattern.

What Happens on November 6, 2027?

The Old Calendar commemoration falls on Saturday.

What Happens on July 23, 2027?

The New Calendar commemoration of the icon with coins falls on Friday, when applicable weekly fasting rules should be checked.

What Happens on August 5, 2027?

The Old Calendar civil commemoration of the icon with coins falls on Thursday.

Does an Icon Feast Automatically Permit Fish?

No. Particular allowances depend on the appointed liturgical calendar and local practice.

What Is the Purpose of Orthodox Fasting?

Fasting is intended to support prayer, repentance, self-control, humility, and charitable action.

How Do Orthodox Christians Celebrate the Joy of All Who Sorrow Feast Day?

Orthodox Christians may commemorate the icon through church attendance, prayer, and acts of compassion toward those experiencing suffering.

Great Vespers

Churches dedicated to the icon may celebrate a festal evening service.

Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Parishes may serve the appointed morning services according to their local liturgical calendars.

Veneration of the Icon

Believers may venerate the sacred image and ask the Mother of God for her prayers.

Akathist and Moleben

Some communities celebrate intercessory services in honor of the Theotokos.

Prayers for the Sick

The feast encourages prayer and practical care for people experiencing illness.

Remembering the Poor

Parishes and families may organize charitable assistance for people in need.

Visiting the Lonely

Companionship and kindness can provide meaningful support for elderly or isolated people.

Comforting the Grieving

Believers may offer practical and emotional support to those mourning a loss.

Learning About Orthodox Iconography

The image provides an opportunity to study the relationship between sacred art and Christian moral teaching.

Thanksgiving

The commemoration encourages gratitude for God's mercy and the blessings of Christian community.

How Can Families Celebrate the Joy of All Who Sorrow Feast Day?

The feast provides a meaningful opportunity to introduce children to Christian compassion and the importance of helping other people.

Look at the Icon Together

Ask children to identify the Theotokos, angels, and different groups of people.

Discuss the Meaning of Sorrow

Explain that sadness and difficulties are normal parts of human life.

Talk About Christian Hope

Explain that faith encourages compassion, perseverance, and trust in God's mercy.

Learn About Euphemia

Read an age-appropriate version of the traditional story from Moscow in 1688.

Learn About the Icon With Coins

Explain why the Saint Petersburg image has a separate feast day.

Read Matthew 25

Discuss Christ's teaching about helping the hungry, sick, and vulnerable.

Practice an Act of Kindness

Invite children to help someone who is lonely, sick, or experiencing hardship.

Donate Food or Clothing

Choose a family charity activity appropriate to the children's ages.

Learn About Angels in Orthodox Art

Discuss why heavenly messengers appear beside the suffering people.

Say a Family Prayer

Pray for those experiencing grief, illness, or other difficulties.

Discuss Helping Rather Than Judging

Explain the importance of treating people in difficult circumstances with dignity and respect.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon

When is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon feast day?

October 24 ecclesiastically, currently corresponding to November 6 Gregorian in Old Calendar practice.

When is the feast in 2027?

Sunday, October 24, or Saturday, November 6 in Old Calendar civil observance.

Is there another feast day?

Yes. The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon With Coins is commemorated on July 23 / August 5.

What does Joy of All Who Sorrow mean?

It is a traditional Orthodox title of the Theotokos emphasizing her intercession and compassion toward suffering people.

Who is depicted in the icon?

The Virgin Mary, often accompanied by angels and groups of people experiencing hardship.

Does the icon always include the Christ Child?

No. Different historical versions depict the Mother of God with or without Christ in her arms.

Why are sick and poor people shown?

They symbolize different forms of human suffering and the importance of mercy.

Why are angels included?

They represent heavenly assistance and compassion.

Where did the Moscow icon become famous?

At the Transfiguration Church on Bolshaya Ordynka in Moscow.

What happened in 1688?

According to Church tradition, Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, was healed after prayers before the icon.

What is the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon With Coins?

A separate Saint Petersburg image associated with a thunderstorm and twelve copper coins in 1888.

Why are coins attached to the icon?

According to the traditional account, they became attached after lightning struck a chapel and broke a donation box.

How many coins were there?

Twelve, according to the established account.

Is the icon with coins the original Moscow painting?

No. It is a different historical icon.

Is the Joy of All Who Sorrow a Hodegetria icon?

No. It is a distinctive multi-figure Marian composition.

Is it the same as the Vladimir Icon?

No. The Vladimir Icon belongs to the Eleusa or Virgin of Tenderness type.

Is it the same as the Kazan Icon?

No. The Kazan Icon belongs to the Hodegetria tradition.

Is it associated with Saint John of Shanghai?

Yes. Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, associated with Saint John's ministry and relics, is dedicated to this image.

Where is Holy Virgin Cathedral?

San Francisco, California.

Can Orthodox Christians pray before the icon?

Yes. They may ask the Theotokos for her intercessory prayers before Jesus Christ.

Does the icon have a troparion?

Yes. Orthodox liturgical tradition includes hymns honoring the image.

Is there an Akathist?

Yes. An Akathist to the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow is used in Orthodox devotion.

Can someone pray before this icon during grief?

Yes. Its spiritual meaning is especially connected with consolation and hope.

Can it be used when praying for the sick?

Yes. Prayer may accompany appropriate medical care and personal support.

Does the icon guarantee healing?

No. Orthodox Christianity does not teach that a particular sacred image guarantees a desired outcome.

Can the icon be placed in a home prayer corner?

Yes. It is suitable for Orthodox family prayer.

Is it an appropriate gift for someone experiencing hardship?

Yes, provided the recipient would welcome a religious gift.

Is the icon itself worshiped?

No. Orthodox Christianity distinguishes veneration from worship, which belongs to God alone.

What is the spiritual meaning of the icon?

It emphasizes Christian hope, divine mercy, the intercession of the Theotokos, and practical compassion toward suffering people.

Explore Orthodox Icons and Feast Days at Mercy Fold

The Joy of All Who Sorrow connects Orthodox theology, Marian iconography, the history of Russian Christianity, and the importance of compassion in Christian life.

Its commemorations and visual symbolism provide an opportunity to explore related Orthodox sacred images.

Continue exploring related Mercy Fold guides:

• Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos Feast Days — discover the famous Virgin of Tenderness and its historical commemorations.
• Kazan Icon of the Theotokos Feast Days — explore another revered Marian image and traditions of prayer for families.
• Iveron (Portaitissa) Icon of the Theotokos — learn about the Gatekeeper of Mount Athos and Orthodox traditions of intercession.
• Tikhvin Icon of the Theotokos Feast Day — discover the history of a sacred image preserved in America before its return to Russia.
• Kursk Root Icon of the Theotokos — explore another celebrated Russian Orthodox icon of the Mother of God.
• Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Feast Day — learn about the Orthodox hierarch associated with Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco.
• Saint Mary Magdalene Feast Day — explore Christian faith, spiritual devotion, and the hope of the Resurrection.

Together, these guides connect the Orthodox liturgical calendar with religious art, sacred history, and the practical meaning of Christian spiritual life.

Joy of All Who Sorrow Icons, Orthodox Books, and Christian Gifts

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Theotokos is a meaningful sacred image for Orthodox Christians interested in prayers for comfort, hope, and compassion.

Its distinctive depiction of the Mother of God surrounded by people in need makes it particularly suitable for reflection on Christian love and charitable responsibility.

A reproduction may be placed in an Orthodox family prayer corner, where it can encourage regular prayer and remembrance of people experiencing hardship.

It may also be a thoughtful devotional gift for someone who values Orthodox iconography and seeks spiritual consolation.

When choosing a reproduction, it is useful to distinguish the traditional Moscow composition from the Saint Petersburg icon with coins.

Books about Orthodox Marian iconography, the history of Russian Christian art, and the theology of prayer can help readers understand the deeper meaning of the image.

Explore related Mercy Fold collections:

• Orthodox Icons — discover traditional images of Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, and Orthodox saints.
• Virgin Mary Orthodox Icons — explore Marian sacred images and their traditional meanings.
• Orthodox Christian Books — discover spiritual reading, Scripture, Christian history, and Orthodox iconography.
• Orthodox Crosses — traditional Christian crosses for prayer, baptism, and meaningful occasions.

Icons and religious books may support prayer and spiritual learning, but caring for people experiencing suffering is not dependent on purchasing devotional objects.

The spiritual message of Joy of All Who Sorrow encourages believers to combine prayer with kindness, generosity, and practical support for those in need.

Conclusion: The Meaning of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon Feast Day

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Theotokos is one of the most distinctive images of the Mother of God in Russian Orthodox iconography.

Its principal feast is celebrated on October 24, corresponding to November 6 Gregorian in present Old Calendar practice.

The commemoration recalls the reported healing of Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, in Moscow in 1688.

The event became closely associated with the Church of the Transfiguration on Bolshaya Ordynka.

A separate commemoration on July 23 / August 5 honors the Saint Petersburg icon known as Joy of All Who Sorrow With Coins.

According to Orthodox tradition, that image survived a severe thunderstorm in 1888, after which twelve small copper coins were found attached to it.

Although the two images have different historical backgrounds, both express the spiritual themes of compassion, hope, and intercession.

The Joy of All Who Sorrow iconographic tradition developed particularly in Russian religious painting from the seventeenth century onward.

The Mother of God is usually depicted standing in glory, surrounded by suffering people and angels bringing assistance.

Some versions show her holding Jesus Christ, while others emphasize her compassionate gesture toward those in need.

The surrounding figures represent the hungry, sick, poor, grieving, wronged, elderly, and other vulnerable people.

The icon therefore connects Orthodox devotion with the Christian responsibility to help those experiencing hardship.

Its spiritual meaning is grounded in the hope of Jesus Christ and the Orthodox tradition of asking the Mother of God for her prayers.

The image has also become important within Orthodox Christianity in North America.

Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco is dedicated to the Joy of All Who Sorrow and is closely connected with Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

Today, Orthodox Christians honor the image through church services, prayer, Akathist hymns, and works of charity.

Families may also use the feast to teach children about compassion, generosity, and the dignity of people experiencing suffering.

The icon reminds believers that Christian consolation does not mean denying grief or hardship.

Rather, it encourages prayer, perseverance, trust in God's mercy, and practical care for others.

The Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Theotokos reminds Orthodox Christians that faith in Jesus Christ should bring hope to the grieving, consolation to the afflicted, and compassionate assistance to those in need.