The “Unexpected Joy” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is a rare image that can be called an “icon within an icon”. This image narrates and illustrates a relatively recent event that took place. Hence, the iconography was developed rather late, not earlier than the 18th century.

This iconographic depiction was based on a miracle described by St. Demetrius of Rostov in his book “The Fleece Bedewed” of 1683. It tells the story of a man possessed by passion, who used to pray every day in front of the icon of the Virgin, but then intentionally commit an evil deed. One day, during prayer, the icon comes to life, and bleeding wounds open on the hands, feet and side of Christ. Struck by the vision, the man falls to his knees and asks the image: