The patronal feast day was celebrated with a bishop's service in Byvalkitranslated

People turn to the Most Holy Theotokos in prayer in illness, sorrow and life's trials, asking for help and consolation. This hope is expressed by the name of Her icon - “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” the celebration of which the Orthodox Church celebrates on November 6.

On the day of the holiday, November 6, 2026, His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the village of Byvalki, Loevsky district.

His Eminence was co-served by the dean of the Loyev district, Priest Dmitry Chvarkov, the rector of the parish, Hieromonk Alexander (Prigara), and the clergy of the diocese.

Abbess Vera (Afonkina) prayed during the service with the sisters of the Tikhvin convent in the city of Gomel.

During the Liturgy, intense prayer requests for peace were offered.

At the end of the Liturgy, a prayer service was sung before the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” Then Archbishop Stefan addressed those gathered with an archpastoral word and gave everyone a blessing.

The image of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” became famous in Moscow in 1688. According to church tradition, Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, who suffered from a serious illness,...