Russian icon "Unexpected Joy'' antique hand painted 35x25

Russian icon "Unexpected Joy" antique hand painted 35x25 cm.Ancient Russian icon "Unexpected Joy'', hand painted with egg tempera on wooden tablet treated with levkas.The orthodox icon developed in the 18th century in Russia and is inspired by an uplifting tale written by Dimitrij, the holy bishop of Rostov. In this story it is said that a sinner, despite his crimes, never failed to repeat the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary several times a day in front of the icon of the Mother of God. One day he was meditating in his heart to fulfill a particularly wicked action man saw the sacred image come to life: the wounds were opened and blood flowed from the side and from the hands of the Child as on the cross. The man fell prostrate and asked the Lord in a loud voice who had done this to him and the response of the Mother of God was not long in coming: "You and the other sinners continue to crucify my Son with your sins as the Jews did.'' The man remained in prayer for a long time asking for Mary's intercession: after kissing the bleeding wounds of Christ he obtained not only forgiveness but also the unexpected joy of repentance and salvation. The plaque below the icon shows the very beginning of Dimitrij Rostov's story.This original Russian icon is a unique piece of real size 32x27 cm, on the back it is equipped with a hook to be hung and is accompanied by an appraisal drawn up by an expert.Delivered with an elegant blue satin case.