Icon of the Mother of God of Vilna (also known as "The Three Joys")

Commemorated on December 26

The Vilensk-Ostrobramsk Icon – “The Three Joys” – is possibly of western origin, since it depicts the Mother of God, Christ, and St. Joseph together. Normally, St. Joseph is not depicted in close proximity with the Virgin and Child, since he was not Christ’s earthly father. In the icon of the Nativity, for example, St. Joseph is not part of the scene within the cave.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)