Theotokos Joy of Canada

In the iconography of the Christian church this type of image of Mary, the virgin mother, and the Christ child is called the icon of the incarnation. It speaks to the faithful about the meaning and purpose of the birth of Jesus and calls them to identify with the Theotokos ("birth-giver of God"), giving birth to divine love in the world.

Processional hymn for the Theotokos Joy of Canada Pilgrimage:

	O thornless rose of ineffable beauty, thou didst bud forth on the border of paradise. For through thine unopened gate, the gate was opened and through thy sacred icon thou dost call the Canadian people to enter in, proclaiming thyself to be their protectress and defence against the enemy. Wherefore we cry unto thee : Rejoice joy of Canada.
	Rejoice, fragrant blossom of Paradise, Rejoice, vine that bore the fruit of life, Rejoice, garden in which God united with the human nature, Rejoice, gate of Paradise, Rejoice, ladder from heaven to earth, Rejoice, restoration of Eve, Rejoice, mother of the New Adam, Rejoice, mother of Him Who bruised satan's head, Rejoice, Joy of Canada.

From the Akathist Hymn for the Theotokos, "Joy of Canada" written by Archbishop Lazar Puhalo, Monastery of All Saints of North America.