What is depicted on the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow”?translated

On November 5, the Orthodox Church honors the image of the Mother of God with an unusual name - “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” What kind of icon is this? Why are there so many people on it? Why is it that on some icons the Mother of God is holding the Infant Christ, while on others she is alone? And which versions of this image are the most famous and recognizable? Let's look at the slides from the Foma magazine.

What do we see on the icon?

On the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” the Mother of God (1) is depicted surrounded by angels (2) and many people (3). Among them are the sick, the hungry, the destitute, the unfortunate, in a word, all those who need help and consolation. This is how the language of icon painting conveys the meaning of the name of the image: in church hymns, the Mother of God is called the Joy of all who mourn, the Intercessor of the offended, the Nourisher of the hungry, the Consolation of wanderers. Each of the people depicted on the icon turns to Her with his or her misfortune.

"Joy to all who mourn." 19th century Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve

People around the Mother of God stretch out their hands to Her, bow in prayer, and ask for help. Angels are often depicted next to them. On some icons they comfort the suffering, giving them food or clothing. At the top of the image you can sometimes see Christ...