Icon - Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow - Wood

This is a Russian Orthodox icon of the 'Pokrov' type (Protection of the Mother of God), but in a less common variant known as:

The Mother of God of Quick Help

In Slavic Russian, it usually appears as: “Скоропослушница” — “Skoroposlushnitsa”: the one who listens and responds quickly.

In the center, the Virgin is shown standing, very elongated, with her arms extended and her mantle spread out as a sign of protection.
Angels and supplicants surround them, symbolizing the people begging for help.
Above appears Christ in glory, blessing.
On the sides, there are Slavic inscriptions that identify the dedication.
The background is gold with 19th-century floral ornamentation.

This type of icon expresses that the Mother of God protects and quickly comes to the aid of those who turn to her in physical or spiritual difficulties.

The line below offers interesting data.

A miracle or quick answer is remembered when praying before this icon.

Talk about the Church of San Nicolás in Saint Petersburg or a related monastery (typical in the icons of “Skoroposlushnitsa”).

This text indicates that it was commissioned as a commemorative icon, thanking for a favor received.

Origin and history

The Skoroposlushnitsa devotion originated in Mount Athos (17th century) and spread extensively in Russia during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Icons like this were offered as thanks for healings or protection in misfortunes.

Russian school, 19th century

Technique: egg temple on a board with a gold background.

Typical floral decoration of the provincial art of the Russian Empire

Theological significance

The Virgin appears as:

Immediate intercessor between the faithful and Christ.
Refuge of the afflicted
Protection of the Christian people