home
People
Icon of the Mother of God unfading color. Icon of the Unfading Color: meaning, what they pray for. Miraculous icons from the outback

Icon of the Mother of God unfading color. Icon of the Unfading Color: meaning, what they pray for. Miraculous icons from the outback

Icon where Mother of God depicted with a flower in hand, called " Everlasting color" There is one associated with this icon interesting story in my life. My unbelieving friend had large pimples on her face, which caused her great suffering. No medications or ointments helped, and acne left scars on my face. The girl suffered a lot. And so one believing grandmother told the girl that the icon of the Unfading Color could heal her terrible acne. At first she didn’t believe it, but the old woman’s words sank into her heart. Now the girl has clean and delicate skin, like a lily - white and beautiful. The Mother of God helped her get rid of her ugly face, because she sees pure and faithful hearts.

History of the icon

The Panteleimon Monastery on Athos published Tales of the Mother of God, where the story of one miraculous healing. The healing took place with the help of the Mother of God flower growing on Mount Athos. This flower is considered immortal and life-giving. According to legend, the Archangel Gabriel gave the Virgin Mary a flower as a symbol of purity and innocence when he announced the miraculous conception of a baby from the Holy Spirit.

The flower symbolizes the spiritual purity and holiness that the Virgin was endowed with. This woman surpassed the ethereal angels by the grace of God. She was chosen to become the mother of the Lord made man in the flesh.

This image appeared on Mount Athos in the 17th century. The motive for painting the holy image was the words from the akathist to the Mother of God, where she was called unfading color cleanliness.

On the Annunciation, it is customary to offer white flowers to the icon of the Mother of God of the Unfading Color, reminiscent of those brought to the Mother of God by the Archangel Gabriel. In Athos, flower arrangements brought on the feast of the Annunciation are kept fresh until the Dormition of the Mother of God, and they are not watered at all.

Variety of icons

In Tsarist Russia, girls often turned to the icon of the Mother of God of the Unfading Flower with a prayer to preserve their virgin purity until their wedding. So we can say that the icon was especially revered by girls of marriageable age. The oldest example of the saint is kept in the Alekseevsky Monastery (Moscow). It depicts the Infant of God in full growth, resting his elbow on his mother’s shoulder. The flower branch was depicted in a picturesque vase and placed on the throne.

In the Assumption Church in Mogiltsy there is another image of the icon, where the Mother of God holds a white lily in her right hand. The icon depicts angels located above the head of the Mother of God. Angels hold a crown over the head of the Virgin Mary. Unfortunately, the original icon disappeared during the reign of Soviet power, and now there is a copy of the icon in the monastery.

In Ryazan there is an amazing copy of the icon, which was given to the monastery of the town of Kadom by a certain Bogdanov. This icon was brought from Georgia; it always accompanied Bogdanov on military expeditions. This miraculous image was especially revered by Elder Seraphim of Sarov.

In the city of Kungur, Perm Territory, there was a miraculous image in which the Mother of God is depicted waist-deep, framed by flowers. A copy of the holy image is kept in Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. Photo of the icon Unfading Color:

Sometimes the Mother of God may have a blossoming rod in her hands. The image of the rod is associated with biblical story about Aaron, in whom there are flowers wooden staff blossomed miraculously as a symbol of the high priesthood.

In later icons, many attributes disappear, and the Mother of God remains with a modest flower in her hand. Icon painters focused the attention of believers on the main images - the Mother of God and the Infant.

Help icons

What is the meaning of the Unfading Color icon and how does it help? Prayers are offered before the holy image:

  • about a happy marriage;
  • about preserving chastity and spiritual purity;
  • O making the right choice spouse;
  • about saving marriage;
  • about women's well-being;
  • about resolving family problems;
  • about prolonging beauty and youth.

Both girls and young people who dream of creating a strong Orthodox family. The Mother of God responds to the sincere and pure prayer, helps young people find family harmony.

The significance of the Unfading Color icon for family happiness cannot be overestimated. The face of the Mother of God was used to bless the bride before the wedding. Orthodox believe that a blessing with an icon will help a girl find a happy marriage in harmony and understanding with her husband. This icon should always be in the spouses’ home; it will protect the family hearth from unforeseen troubles and temptations.

Older people offer prayers to overcome the passions of the flesh and mental confusion. The Mother of God helps to find peace of mind and harmony, fills hearts with quiet joy and happiness. During family quarrels, the image of the Most Pure One helps restore peace and understanding between spouses.

The wealthiest, most successful and beautiful person needs support, a feeling of wholeness in the presence of his soulmate - his spouse. While we are children, the family provides support, but when we grow up, a person “will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh,” with the blessing of Christ. The Holy Church names two main favorable paths to salvation: Orthodox marriage and the monastery. Therefore, the Lord blesses dreams of a happy marriage.

Many people fail to meet their love soon. This is natural, because a person must be psychologically prepared for a serious relationship, be able to love, find compromises, and be faithful. There are many factors in communication: probabilistic, psychological, social, even mystical, because a person who is not protected by the weapon of prayer and Church Sacraments easily influenced evil forces, deception. “Do not be afraid, only believe,” says the Lord. Turn to the saints, who have the special grace to relieve loneliness, with faith. Ask for a meeting with your soulmate, and you will feel peace of mind and be able to let God’s grace into your life.

Saints are faithful helpers of believers. With a prayer for a quick marriage or marriage and for a happy marriage, it is customary to turn to the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”. Difficulties family life covered by God's help. After all, the head of the family is the husband, and the head of the husband is Christ. Address the Mother of God as the Patroness of your future or existing family.

ICONOGRAPHY AND FEATURES OF THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “UNFADING COLOR”

    • The icon is easy to recognize by its white lily or flowering branch in right hand Mother of God. It is thanks to this attribute that the icon got its name. The image can also be called “Fragrant Color”.
      The roots of the image of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” go back to ancient centuries and are associated with the historical icon of the Praise of the Mother of God, where the Queen of Heaven sits on a throne, showing the Child Christ to people and looking at those praying to her, surrounded by saints and angels. This image can be perceived as a less solemn (without a throne and a host of saints), a closer to people image of the Praise of the Mother of God.
    • The first mention of the veneration of the Icon of Praise in the Byzantine Empire dates back to the 9th century. In Constantinople, the first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, created a temple dedicated to the Mother of God and a holiday in Her honor. After centuries spiritual meaning The holiday was reflected in icon painting - this is how the icon of the Praise of the Virgin Mary appeared.
    • The Virgin Mary has interesting clothes; Although they are traditional for icon painting - red underwear and a blue cloak - they are very bright both on the original icon, and on its copies, and on reproductions. The head of the Virgin Mary is covered with a maforium (head veil) of dark blue color, which lies on top white scarf. The traditional colors of the Virgin's clothing on ancient icons are usually darker: the tunic is blue, the upper omophorion is red-brown.
    • The Infant of God also in the icon has bright, dazzling white or gold clothes. The long tunic of ocher or golden color in which Christ is dressed is a sign of God’s acceptance of human nature, and the golden assist threads on it are a symbol of Divine energies, that is, Jesus also remained God by nature.
    • Obviously, through the clothes and poses of the Holy Family, the icon painter wanted to convey Their simplicity, responsiveness to prayers and at the same time strength.
    • Like every miraculous image of the Mother of God, the icon of the “Unfading Color” has many copies created in different styles while maintaining the details of the iconography. So, in some versions of the image, the clothes of the Infant Jesus are gold or white with the addition of green or brown shades. The background of the icon can also be different: on the original image it is heavenly in color, but sometimes they also make a traditional icon-painted gold background.
    • In the 18th century, many variants of the icon appeared: many additional details appeared, most often with crowns on the heads of the Virgin and Child, with a large number of flowers around the Mother and the Divine Son. Sometimes the figure of the Mother of God is framed by entire garlands of flowers, vases with bouquets and, of course, flowers appear in the hands of the Infant God.

THE MEANING OF THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “UNFADING COLOR”

Each image of the Most Holy Lady of Heaven carries an important theological and edifying meaning. The icon “Unfading Color” shows both the praise of the Mother of God - she appears in a solemn pose, and the spiritual unity of God in the image of the Infant Christ and man - the Virgin Mary, because Holy Virgin was chosen from ordinary people due to her purity and holiness.

A beautiful flower or blooming branch in the hands of the Mother of God arose as a symbolic embodiment of the words of the Akathist, where the Virgin Mary is called “the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity.”

This is the first akathist, which gave rise to the religious, poetic, prayer tradition of akathists, which are now written for almost every icon of the Mother of God and every saint. The Akathist “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride” is a masterpiece of literature and theology. It is the most famous among others and the only one of all the akathists that is included in the liturgical charter: it is read by the entire Church on the Saturday of the Akathist of Great Lent, which also has the name “Praise.” Holy Mother of God" The name “akathist” means “a song performed while standing,” that is, especially solemn. It is divided into kontakia - small prayer texts - and ikos, where the greeting “Rejoice” (in Greek “hayre”, as the Greeks greeted each other) is repeated twelve times, ending with “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.” Such words refer to the greeting on the day of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Most Pure Virgin: “Rejoice, Full of Grace! The Lord is with You."

Archangel Gabriel is also depicted with a lily in his hands, announcing to the Most Holy Theotokos the news of Her future birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The icon “Unfading Color” can also depict other attributes of the Mother of God, sung in the akathist and clearly showing the feelings of admiration and admiration for the Queen of Heaven, described in the words of Christian hymnography:

    • Candle,
    • Censer,
    • heavenly staircase,
    • A pedestal for the Infant God, who in this case stands on it, and does not sit in the arms of the Mother,
      Moon and sun.

MIRACLES FROM THE ICON “UNFADING COLOR”

To this day, a miracle occurs every year on Mount Kefalonia, in the holy places of Greece. On the day of the Annunciation, the Greeks bring any white flowers, usually lilies, to the icon of the Mother of God. All of them are in the church until the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, that is, from April to August, they are not watered. Naturally, the flower heads dry out. However, it is precisely on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption that each flower regains life, and new buds appear on the stems.

Thus, the Mother of God Herself confirms by this miracle the truth of the name of the icon and Her title “Unfading Color.”

The Mother of God performed many miracles of healing after prayers before this icon. The most important of them:

    • Healing children from dumbness,
    • Saving families
    • Finding a soulmate for women who could not get married for a long time.

Memorial Day of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is April 16. These days the day before is performed All-night vigil, and on the day of memory of the image Divine Liturgy, followed by special short prayers to the Healer icon: troparia and kontakion. The icon is placed in the middle of each temple. A short prayer The Mother of God in front of the “Unfading Color” icon can be read online or by heart at any time, prayer is especially recommended in case of despair, sadness, or illness:

Rejoice, Bride of God Himself, secret rod, Unfading Flower blossoming in humanity, Rejoice, Lady, thanks to Whom we are filled with joy and gain the Kingdom of Heaven

WHAT TO ASK FOR IN THE “UNFADING COLOR” ICON

Through this icon, the Mother of God especially helps in family matters. Can:

    • ask to marry a good man;
    • ask with sincere faith for good choice spouse, about avoiding mistakes;
    • ask for protection from dangers, from not happy marriage for a tyrant, an adulterer, a wicked man, a deceiver;
    • pray for peace and peace of mind;
    • ask for family preservation and domestic well-being;
    • Prayer to protect yourself and your child for conception, healthy pregnancy, childbirth, and baby’s health.

HOW TO PRAY TO THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “UNFADING COLOR” ABOUT MARRIAGE

Girls and women often dream about getting married sooner. Men are usually determined to succeed in business. The realization of her talents and wealth in money are important for a woman, but in her heart she worries about loneliness and is looking for a loving protector and patron. A woman needs love for harmony with herself and the fullness of her life.

However, girls should get rid of the belief that “the main thing is to get married.” You need to take a closer look at your potential spouse, see the man’s inner world, try to see his shortcomings and decide whether you are ready to accept them. Pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for the right choice: she will give advice in your heart, because while it is blind from love, it is difficult for you to decide.

Happy marriage - the result of the study psychological differences men and women, characteristics of communication in marriage, work on oneself, as well as the fruit of prayer. Read morning and evening prayers which the Church blesses to read daily, visit the temple and pray during services. Accept Holy Baptism, if you have not yet been baptized, so that the Lord and the saints can help you more.

    • with faith in the Lord and that He will do the best for you;
    • understanding that you are asking God not for entertainment, but for creating a family;
    • realizing that sex outside of marriage is the sin of fornication (if you have committed it, confess it along with other sins in the Sacrament of Confession and then take communion);
    • Having thought it over and thanking God for the successes, they happened thanks to God’s help.

Prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon for help

My most blessed queen, my hope is the Mother of God! Receiver of orphans, wanderers, Representative, Joy of the grieving, Patroness of the unjustly offended! You see my misfortune, you see my sorrow - help me as a weak person, feed me as a stranger. You know my offense, deliver me from it as you wish. I have no other help except You, no other Representative before God, no good Comforter but You, O Mother of God! Save me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

MIRACLE LISTS OF THE ICON OF THE VIRGIN “UNFADING COLOR” IN RUSSIA

    • Until 1757, the original image remained in the St. Alekseevsky Monastery of Krasnoye Selo (Moscow region). Then many copies were made from it, but the image itself was lost.
    • In the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary in the city of Voronezh there is another icon
    • The image in front of which I myself prayed Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky, is located in the temple of the village of Kadom, in the Ryazan region.

WHAT DOES THE “UNFADING COLOR” ICON HELP WITH?

If there are problems, misunderstandings or even betrayals in your family, it is important to pray more to the Lord and the Mother of God. Prayer is help in any situation difficult situation. Pray also in case of poverty, troubles, material difficulties - after all, the Lord is the first Helper to every person in any difficult circumstances.

Crises often occur in long-term relationships. Sometimes it seems that the family is collapsing, people want to separate and never see each other. Alas, violation of fidelity in marriage, betrayal, deception - all these sins are inherent in people. Sometimes, not because of evil intentions, but through negligence, your spouse can inflict such a wound on you.

However, it is easier to destroy than to create. Try to save your family through your joint prayers. Traditionally, they pray to the patron saints of the family: Blessed Ksenyushka of St. Petersburg, Saint Matrona of Moscow and, of course, the Mother of God.

Read the prayer of the Mother of God for your family morning and evening.

“My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, take my family under Your Protection. Instill peace, love and all that is good into the hearts of my wife and our children. Help, Mother of God, so that together we glorify Your name and Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen"
- with these words you turn to the Most Pure Virgin with a request to take you under her Cover.

The prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unfading Color” icon can be read online in Russian according to the text below:

“Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of God, Virgin Mary, hope of Christians and refuge of sinners! Protect everyone who comes to You in misfortune, hear our sad groans, bend down from Heaven and hear our prayer. O Lady and Mother of our God, do not turn away from those who require Your help, do not push us sinners away, but enlighten and teach us: do not leave Your spirit from us, Your servants, because of our murmuring and despair.
Be yourself our Mother and Patroness, we entrust ourselves to You and hope to remain under Your merciful protection. Lead us, careless and inattentive people, to a quiet and peaceful life and repentance for our sins. 
 Oh, Virgin Mary, our Good and quick Intercessor, with Your intercession for the mercy of God, protect us from visible enemies - evil people

and invisible spirits of darkness, soften the hearts of evil people who attack us. O Mother of our Lord and Creator! You are the foundation of virginity and chastity, the unfading and fragrant flower of purity, give help to us, weak and obsessed with the passions of the flesh, lost in heart. Enlighten our souls so that we can see the ways of God's truth. By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will, so that we fulfill the commandments and get rid of spiritual troubles and misfortunes, so that upon leaving earthly life we ​​will be justified through Your miraculous intercession at the Last Judgment of Your Son, Whom may we be worthy of forever glorifying and honoring in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen".



The Orthodox Church blesses the desire to find love and create a good family. Christ said: “A man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife (unite with his wife), and the two will become one flesh (that is, one whole).” It is not for nothing that husband and wife are officially considered to be “in zero degree of relationship.” Therefore, pray to the Most Holy Theotokos and do not give up hope for God’s help.

May the Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos protect you and your family! The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” is not very often found in Russian churches today. But everyone who sees him is attracted by the image at first sight with its unearthly purity and tenderness. His main feature

- an image of the Virgin Mary holding the Divine Infant on one hand, and a beautiful flower in the other. Most often it is a white lily. According to legend, it was once upon a time that Archangel Gabriel presented it to the Mother of God as a sign of the good news that she would become the Mother of God himself. This flower has in the symbolism of the “Unfading Color” icon, denoting the deep spiritual purity of the Mother of God, who was placed by the Lord above even the disembodied Angels.


The history and symbolism of the icon

The icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” or, according to the second name, “Fragrant Flower” first appeared in the 17th century in Greece. Her unusual appearance arose as the embodiment in colors of the words of the Akathist - a solemn chant read in honor of the Mother of God. In it, the Most Pure Virgin is called “the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity.”

The appearance of the icon “Fadeless Color” was influenced by the tradition of writing Orthodox icon"Praise to the Mother of God", the earliest Russian copy of which dates back to the 14th century. This was the first icon created on the basis of the ancient akathist dedicated to the Mother of God.

The reason for its creation was the miraculous deliverance of Constantinople from the enemy invasion through the mediation of the Mother of God. On the icon, the Prophets who once spoke about the birth of the Virgin Mary are written with the symbols that served as her prototype. So the Prophet Aaron holds a rod, on the top of which you can see a wonderful flower.

This image is associated with the ancient tradition of the Church. It says that once upon a time God, through the prophet Moses, determined only the descendants of the clan of Aaron to be Old Testament priests. But later, representatives of other clans began to protest, also laying claim to the honor of the priesthood. Then, in order to stop the strife, it was decided to get an answer from above. For this purpose, the rods of representatives of the twelve tribes of the Jewish people were left in the Jewish temple.

After some time, it was discovered that the eleven wands remained unchanged. But on the rod of the descendants of Levi, on which the name of his grandson, Aaron, was written, an almond flower appeared. Moreover, it did not dry out and, later, produced fruit. This phenomenon finally convinced everyone of the chosenness of the family that served in the temple of Jerusalem.

IN Christian tradition The miracle with Aaron's rod is considered as follows. The rod itself, blooming with a fragrant flower, is a symbol of the pure and immaculate Virgin Mary. And the fruit that appeared on it is the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Therefore, on the icon “Praise to the Mother of God” they sometimes began to depict the Mother of God with a flower branch in her hands.

Thus, the authors of the “Unfading Color” icon, having borrowed this version of the image, separated it into an independent iconographic plot. Its development was also influenced by the process of literal embodiment in Christian painting the words of various liturgical books and chants, especially the thanksgiving canon of Joseph the Songwriter, written in the 9th century. In them, the appearance of the Mother of God is shown by prototype symbols:

  • a source that gives life;
  • lily;
  • star;
  • rose;
  • the sun;
  • olive branch;
  • beautiful garden and many others.

Almost all of these meanings, somewhat earlier, began to be displayed in Catholic painting. The 15th-16th centuries is the time when special compositions appeared there in the form of allegories called “Concepcio immaculata”, which means “ Immaculate Conception”, which in the form of engravings began to be included in prayer collections. Probably, these engravings also influenced the emergence of the Greek version of the “Unfading Color” icon.


Variety of images of the “Fadeless Color” icon

It is believed that the first such icon was most likely painted in Constantinople. Then, despite the Turkish yoke, more and more new variants began to appear in Greece. She was especially revered in Thessaloniki. One of the copies of the “Unfading Flower” icon was created on Mount Athos and, around the end of the 17th century, brought to Russia.

In the 18th century, both in Greece and Russia, many other versions of the icon appeared, different from the first image. This is the century known for love to the pomp and multi-figure nature, the image was endowed with a large number of new details. Crowns or crowns appear on the heads of Christ and his Mother. The rose that appears in the hands of the Divine Infant often becomes a flower of purity.

Sometimes graceful branches or even entire garlands of flowers are depicted around the figure of the Virgin Mary, placed in beautiful flowerpots, and turned into pedestals.

Very often the Virgin Mary holds a scepter covered with the most beautiful flowers. Many symbols appear around her: a candle, a tree of paradise, a censer, a staircase leading from earth to heaven, royal chambers, the moon, and so on. They seem to clearly demonstrate the feelings of admiration and praise contained in the words of Christian hymnography.

Here we see some influence Catholic tradition with its splendor of forms and love for detail, which was not initially characteristic of Orthodox icon painting.


Lists of the icon “Fadeless Color” glorified in Russia

Moscow shrines

In pre-revolutionary Russia, several revered copies of the “Fadeless Flower” icon are known. One of the most ancient was kept in the Alekseevsky Monastery in Moscow. This was the first monastery in the city intended for unmarried girls. Therefore, the icon was in its place here, because one of the main requests that are addressed to this image is a prayer for the preservation of the purity of soul and body.

The Alekseevsky list was apparently brought to Russia at the end of the 17th century, since a copy of it made in 1691 is known. It was significantly different from the now widespread image. The Divine Infant stood on it at full height, leaning his bent arm on the shoulder of the Virgin Mary. The right hand of the Mother of God was wrapped in a ribbon, on which the name of the icon was inscribed. A beautiful flower branch was placed on the throne, in a special jug.

Another famous Moscow copy of the icon was in the Assumption Church in Mogiltsy. In it, Christ, supported by the Mother of God, stands on a beautiful flower growing from the lower part of the image. The Mother of God has a white lily in her hand, and above her head are Angels crowning her with a royal crown. This temple, erected in the very center of the capital, is mentioned in the works of Russian classics: L. Tolstoy, F. Dostoevsky and A. Griboyedov. Today it has been revived again, but the miraculous icon disappeared under Soviet rule, and now a modern copy of it has appeared in the church.

Miraculous icons from the outback

The Russian province was also not left without a wonderful image. In a small monastery in the town of Kadom, Ryazan province, a special list became famous. On it, near the head of Christ, one could see a half-length image of John the Baptist.

The history of the icon is unusual. It was brought as a gift to the monastery by the Bogdanov family. The head of the family brought the image from Georgia. The icon accompanied him everywhere and saved him more than once during military campaigns: both when crossing the stormy Terek, and from the bullets of the Circassian cavalry. And most importantly, the image, according to the recollections of old-timers, was already in the temple, very revered by the great Russian Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

The list located in the city of Kungur, Perm Territory, was also especially revered by parishioners. Its peculiarity was the half-length image of the Virgin Mary, as if growing from a magnificent flower garland. A copy of it is kept today in the Tretyakov Gallery.

In 19th-century icons, the plurality of elements tends to disappear. Mary is most often depicted with a modest branch or even a single flower in her hand. Lush garlands of flowers shimmering with a richness of colors are not visible in such images. Their authors try to return to more expressive examples of the Middle Ages, trying to focus on the main thing - the figures and faces of the Mother of God and Christ.

There is no information about the existence of churches dedicated to this image in Russia before 1917. After the end of the persecution of the church in our country, four churches were built in his honor (all of them are in Moscow and the Moscow region) and two chapels.

Since 1998, such a church began to be built for the first time in the village of Rublevo near Moscow. The temple of the “Unfading Flower” icon is located on the banks of the Moscow River, from which there are beautiful views of its picturesque surroundings. The church project was created by a descendant of the famous family of Russian artists - architect and musician Nikolai Vasnetsov.

The lower church was consecrated in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. They operate at the church Sunday schools for children and adults, where you can get acquainted not only with the basics of Orthodoxy, but also with the symbolism of the temple of the “Unfading Color” icon, and find out what they pray to this icon for.

By 2012, in the best traditions of Russian northern wooden architecture, a small temple of the “Unfading Flower” icon was built in the village of Sumarokovo, Ruzsky district.

The celebration of the icon took place in Russia on April 3 and December 31 according to the Julian calendar. Currently, it is usually only April 3, or, accordingly, April 16 according to the new style.

How does the “Fadeless Color” icon help?

The icon is popular primarily among young girls and boys, since, according to ancient tradition, they pray to her for the preservation of girlish and youthful purity and chastity, protection from temptations, which are so common in modern world. Also, in front of the image of the “Unfading Flower”, a prayer is made for marriage or marriage, so that the Mother of God sends a worthy and decent husband or wife. Older people ask before the image for help in the fight against spiritual and carnal passions. In addition, it helps to overcome adversity and misunderstanding in family life.

There is a wonderful akathist to the “Unfading Color” icon, praising the Virgin Mary in the most sublime terms. In it, the Mother of God is called the “inexhaustible source of love” and immortality.

Orthodox hymnography also created a troparion and a prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon, which are read in front of the image by everyone who has a request to the Mother of God or wants to glorify her and thank her for her help.

Prayer for marriage to the Unfading Color icon

“Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners!

Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer, O Lady and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, Your servants, for our murmuring.

Be our Mother and Patroness, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection.Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins.O Mother Mary, our all-offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession.Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against us.

O Mother of our Lord Creator!You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts.Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth.

By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we will be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and may be justified by Your wonderful intercession at the terrible judgment of Your Son.To him we give glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".

How to pray to an icon correctly

First prayer:
“To my Queen, to my hope, to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and the strange, to the Representative, to the sorrowing, to Joy, to the offended to the Patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow; help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as if by will: for I have no other help except You, no other intercessor, no good comforter, except You, O Mother of God, for may we preserve and cover forever and ever. Amen".

Second prayer:
“Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer. Mistress and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, for our murmuring. Be our Mother and Protectress, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection. Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins.
Oh, Mother Mary, our all-offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession. Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who retaliate against us. O Mother of our Lord Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth. By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we may be delivered from all misfortune and misfortune and be justified by Your wonderful intercession in the Last Judgment Your son. To him we give glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".

Troparion:
“Rejoice, Bride of God, secret rod, unfading blossoming flower, rejoice, Lady, with Her we are filled with joy and inherit life.”

The Most Pure Mother of God traditionally helps women who turn to her for help.

The Unfading Color icon symbolizes purity and femininity; it gives girls and women hope for a solution to their problems.

History of the “Fadeless Color” Icon

The appearance of the icon was first recorded in the 18th century in the city of Constantinople. The idea of ​​painting an icon arose thanks to Joseph the hymn writer. In his canons, he praised the Most Pure One and the flower, by which he meant little Jesus Christ. However, an incorrect interpretation of the canon led to the replacement of concepts and the flower resulted in a separate symbol.

The icon depicts the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with a child in one hand and a branch of flowers in the other. On some icons, the Virgin Mary’s hand is no longer a branch, but a staff decorated with unfading flowers.

The second version of the appearance of the “Unfading Color” icon can be considered a prototype of Mary, depicted with a carnation in her hand. This painting was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in his youth.

Several versions of the icon are known, but one thing unites them - a flower in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What helps, in what cases do they pray to the icon

Young people of both sexes pray to the “Unfading Color” icon. They ask the Mother of God to help preserve virgin purity, chastity before marriage, and give strength to resist the temptations of carnal love before wedding.

Young people also pray to the face of the Most Pure Virgin Mary for a successful and happy marriage.

Older people, those who are married, turn to the saint to pray for well-being and peace in the family. Our Lady helps those who cannot find mutual language with my spouse.

Prayer to the icon will help in healing from illnesses.

Those who have lost the meaning of life, are tormented by sad thoughts, look to the Mother of God for guidance on the true, correct path.

Prayer for marriage to the “Unfading Color” icon

The icon helps women in their family life. At the wedding, the bride received a blessing from the face of the Most Holy One.

Not only girls asked for a successful and happy marriage. Their mothers also made sure to offer prayers to the Mother of God, begging for a happy family life for their daughters.

Prayer always comes from the heart, the woman reads it in her own words.

Example Prayer

“Oh, Most Holy Theotokos, please hear me and my words, which I turn to You in prayer! From a sinner, Servant of God (name). I ask for Your intercession before Your Son. And I will be heard, for he is merciful. I ask you, Most Pure Virgin Mary, to be my patroness. Ask our Lord for me: a peaceful marriage and a loving husband, obedient children, and bestow complacency and patience on all humble slaves. I ask You for all mercy, obedience, justice and pure thoughts for sinners. Most Pure Virgin Mary, save me from sinful narcissism and pride. Help me preserve my love for work, bless the fruits of my labor. Mother of God, help me to become worthy and righteous wife to your just husband. Help us preserve our family hearth, so that we can live in understanding and love. Give me a husband, noble, decent and benevolent. I will glorify You and Our Lord, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen."

Prayer for the beauty of the Fragrant (Unfading) Color icon

Every girl and woman wants to be beautiful. It is not surprising that an icon can help with this.

It is necessary to purchase the consecrated face of the Mother of God in the church.

Take a bath or shower to be completely clean. Tuck your hair under a scarf. Place an icon in front of you and first read the “Our Father”, and then ask for beauty.

Cast a spell for physical beauty three times. Then you need to read the “Our Father” again.

Akathist “Unfading Color”, what is asked in it

Akathist – church hymn to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading (Fragrant) Flower”. In it, believers ask the Mother of God to hear them. They pray for protection before the Lord and salvation from enemies. Get rid of sinful thoughts and lead to a calm and righteous life. They also pray for protection on the Day of Judgment.

Where is the icon

The current image of “Fadeless Color”, unfortunately, is a copy. The original was lost in 1757 during the looting of the St. Alexeevsky Monastery in Moscow.

The main temple where the face of the Virgin Mary “Fragrant Flower” is kept is the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Voronezh.

Where to hang an icon at home

The face of the Virgin Mary should be placed in the bedroom unmarried girl, in the right corner. The icon needs a special shelf; it is not advisable to hang it on the wall.

In cases where the help of the Virgin Mary is required married woman, the icon is placed in the matrimonial bedroom.

The holy image of the icon of the Mother of God of Christ “Unfading Color” was invented and created, as we think, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries on Athos.

The image was based on texts taken from the hymn - akathist. There are words in this text that compare Jesus and his mother, the Holy Mother of God, to beautiful and immortal flowers.

The day of veneration of the icon is considered April 16. One of the most ancient images of the Mother of God in the Orthodox Church is this particular image. There are many different and unusual stories creation and manifestation of holiness.

The icon can be considered one of the most little-known. The question of its origin and development of iconographic subjects is practically absent in Russian literature. The image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary appeared as a consequence of the development of the akathist cycle.

The history of the appearance of the icon

In the eighteenth century, a venerable, festive icon of the Mother of God “The Unfading Flower” appeared in Constantinople. The icon was further spread to the Greek lands. It is believed that the image gained particular popularity in Thessalonica.

The source for this image is the Grateful Canon of Joseph the hymnographer. This canon contains the words “this unfading color,” but they referred more to Christ.

But in the name of the icon of the Mother of God, the words already refer to Mary herself. The erroneous interpretation of words led to the development of this type of iconography. The earliest prototype for the icon was an engraving written in western style from the Venetian Bible called "New Treasury". It dates back to the period 1612.

Here the Virgin Mary is depicted in full height and standing on the moon. The head of Christ is decorated with four roses. Another iconographic predecessor of the icon can be considered the image of the Madonna with a carnation in her hand, painted by the young Leonardo da Vinci.

The icon stands among the most significant images dedicated to the Mother of God. In fact, the images of the icon of the Mother of God are varied, but they are all united by one symbol - a flower.

Flowers can be used in garlands, on flowering wands. Flowers are depicted on a pedestal on which the Virgin Mary and little Jesus sit. Most often, on icons, the Mother of God is depicted in luxurious, gilded clothes. And also on the icons there are images of Mary up to the waist, but there is always a flower in the hands of the Mother of God.

There are many myths associated with the icon. One myth is associated with its name. It was assumed that the name came from the Mother of God flower that grows on Mount Athos. It is known that in the nineteenth century there was healing from the “immortal” flower of the Virgin Mary.

This story was written down by monks in the tales of the Mother of God and published by the Panteleimon Monastery on Athos. This event, together with the picturesque descriptions of pilgrims to Athos, became the reason why the name of the image began to be attributed to the Mother of God flower. But this is just a myth. It is worth noting that the icons often depict the Mother of God holding a lily flower in her hands.

List Locations

In Russia, four images of the Mother of God were glorified. The first and most ancient was located in the Moscow Alekseevsky Monastery, on the site of which today is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Two more icons are in the State Tretyakov Gallery.

One of them came from the Church of St. Nicholas - “Mutrennaya”, the other arrived from the Church of St. James the Rawhitter. The fourth icon is in the State Russian Museum. It was delivered from now not existing cathedral Troitsk - Petrovsky.

All icons differ in their iconography and history of origin. But they have one thing in common - joy. And joy is depicted in shimmering gold, in the finest ornaments and with the fragrance of flowers.

The icon of the Mother of God is venerated by the Russian Orthodox Church and in our days. In honor of her, churches are being built in Moscow and the Moscow region at the address: the village of Rublevo, on V. Botylev Street, building number forty-five.

Icon “Fading Color”




What does the meaning of the “Fadeless Color” icon help with?

The significance of this image is great for Orthodox believers.

  • The holy image carries deep meaning for all Orthodox Christians. People go to her for help and reassurance. To pray in front of a holy and pure image means to cope with your grief. Women of all ages turn to the Mother of God.
  • Young and unmarried women pray for help in finding their betrothed. Women with children ask in prayer to give their daughters and sons the blessing of our Lord. After all, as you know, there are no stronger words in the world than the words of a loving mother.

In front of the holy image, turning to the Mother of God, those asking pray for their loved ones.

She helps:

Those praying before the icon of the Mother of God get rid of vague and sinful feelings that have settled in the soul. All doubts and fears go away future life. Most often, young and unmarried people come to the image, having lost faith in finding their soulmate.

The words addressed to the face of the Mother of God contain feelings and a sincere desire to find a betrothed who will not leave her, no matter what happens in life. But not only women come to the face of the Mother of God. In the church and at the icon, men are also frequent guests.

What do they pray for in front of the icon?

Prayers before the Holy Image give strength and faith in the future, banish gloomy and soul-plaguing doubts.

  • People who believe in the Lord, first of all, pray in front of the icon, in the hope of preserving righteousness and purity of deeds and thoughts.
  • And also about the right choice and decision-making about your future spouse.
  • They pray for health, chastity and women's well-being.
  • They also pray for help in solving family problems and getting rid of all illnesses.
  • The prayer asks for help in finding the purpose and meaning of life.

The prayer of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” for marriage is read by women, to get married successfully and find family peace. The institution of marriage teaches that marriage is a commitment made by a believer. The purpose of any woman in fulfilling the divine will is procreation.

Only a woman is capable of giving life to a new person. Therefore in prayer words, read before the icon, there is enormous meaning and a desire to fulfill the will of the Lord. The words of prayer can be different, the main thing is that they come from the heart.

Pronounced with special faith and desire, they will help a woman fulfill her desires in a fairly short time.

One of the many options for prayer to the Mother of God:

“Most Pure Mother of God, hear my words addressed to you in prayer. From me, a simple sinner. I ask the words of prayer to lift up the son of God to the throne. He is merciful and I will be heard. In my prayer I ask you to be an intercessor and patroness.

Ask for blessings for your servant: life in love and harmony for spouses, children of obedience, patience and complacency for all the offended and humiliated. For everyone I ask for reason, mercy, a spirit of meekness, purity and righteousness.

Oh, Most Holy Virgin Mary, protect me from false pride and self-love. Preserve in me and increase the desire to work and bless, I ask you, my labors. The law of God teaches people to live in a righteous marriage, then let me, Holy Mary, fulfill my destiny by becoming a wife worthy of a husband.

For the words of the Lord do not allow a person to remain alone in life. For this reason the Lord created a helpmate and a wife for the husband. He blessed and conveyed to them his desire that they grow and multiply and thereby fill the expanses of the Earth.

Most Holy Mother of God, I pray to you with pure words coming from my very heart. Give me a husband, a pious, kind and honest spouse. So that we can be together in love and harmony. And they could glorify you, Lord, father and son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen".

Review

“My husband and I have been married for three years. At first everything was fine. We understood each other, one might say, perfectly. Helped and supported in difficult situations. But unfortunately, as probably in any family, we had misunderstandings and frequent quarrels occurred on this basis. Of course, we tried and made compromises, but, alas, nothing helped. I was preparing mentally for our breakup. But to be honest, neither my husband nor I wanted a breakup. I have a Grandmother. She is a very pious person. And so she told me about the icon of the Mother of God. Granny said that we need to pray to the icon and ask the Mother of God to save our relationship and family. Now I pray and read a prayer every day. My soul somehow becomes lighter and hope appears. “Relationships with my husband began to improve.”

Katerina.

Not every church can find this particular image of the Mother of Christ. But fortunately, in any church shop you can buy either a photo of the “unfading color” icon or a small reproduction of the image. They can be used for their intended purpose - for your own personal purposes.

Place it in your home and, if necessary, say the words of prayer in front of the image. But do not forget that this is only an image.

Real healing of the soul, and help is given by the Lord, our Father.

Without deep faith in the power of the Lord, the words of prayer have no meaning. Remember the words of Christ: “According to your faith it will be given to you.” The miraculous image of the Mother of God gives help only to true believers.



People

You may also like