All believers turn to the Most Pure Virgin Mary, some with a request for help, others with gratitude, and others simply for consolation. The Mother of God is the most revered image among Orthodox Christians; judging by legends and testimonies, the Mother of God does not leave people alone with their misfortune. Icon Everlasting Color- one of the most touching images of the Virgin Mary.

The history of the appearance of the Unfading Color

On the largest Ionian greek island Kefalonia has had a tradition since ancient times: on the feast of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God(April 7) Pilgrims coming to the island bring white lily-like flowers. According to the apocrypha, with a similar white flower, which symbolizes immaculate purity, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary with the good news of the immaculate conception. Flowers placed by parishioners under the icon case are not removed until one of the main Orthodox holidays - Assumption (August 28), they lie without water and light. In the twilight, without moisture, the flowers and stems gradually dry out, but by the Dormition the plants miraculously come to life, the stems are filled with moisture, and instead of dry inflorescences, buds appear, white flowers bloom, thereby becoming.

unfading color

What does the image mean for the Orthodox?

According to the Byzantine akathists, Jesus Christ and the Queen of Heaven are compared to unfading flowers. It was on the basis of the akathists that the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” (XVII century) was created on the sacred Mount Athos. On the shrine, the Mother of God is depicted with her Son, whom she holds in one hand, in the other hand - white unfading flower . On some icons you can see a pink plant (a rose or just a pink branch), and a baby on right hand

The significance of the “Fadeless Color” icon for believers is difficult to overestimate; legends are made about its power. One of the legends tells that the Blessed Virgin helps women preserve their beauty for many years. The significance of the icon is especially great for virgins who want to find a worthy mate for life. In ancient times, this information was secret, and it was transmitted exclusively through the female line.

Image help

The face of the Mother of God in “Unfading Flower” is one of the most gentle, peaceful, beautiful, radiating calm, joy, and love. It seems that one glance at the enchanting image is enough for sadness to subside, worries to dissipate, and the soul to calm down.

What does the image help with:

• preserve women's youth;
• maintain chastity;
• girls find a life partner;
• gain understanding between loved ones;
• relieve mental turmoil;
• guide you on the righteous path;
• solve family problems;
• protect the family hearth from harm;
• family people to get rid of temptations;
• preserve the family, family values.

The “Unfading Color” icon was used to bless the bride at her wedding for a happy marriage.

What to pray for

The main thing when reading a prayer is sincerity and faith. Sincere prayer to the Mother of God helps dispel fears and anxieties. The rebellious seeking soul calms down and becomes peaceful. Before the image, you need to pray for the expulsion of dark thoughts, peace of mind, ask the Mother of God for understanding and peace for the family. People who are confused in life, looking for their own path, can safely turn to the holy image for guidance on the true path.

Most often, young virgins turn to Mother to find the one person with whom they can live their whole lives without troubles. Girls who want to avoid worldly temptations and devote their lives to serving the Almighty also pray. Married women They pray if problems arise at home, if there is a schism and misunderstanding. It is believed that the Queen of Heaven helps married couple save good relations

and strengthen the family.

Miraculous image

Since ancient times, people have believed in miracles sent by the “Unfading Flower.” Hundreds of thousands of Christians were freed from mental anxieties thanks to the holy image. Many testify to real healings. Mother especially loves and helps children. Cases are described when parents prayed to the Intercessor for the health of sick children and the children received healing. The children's speech problems disappeared, and one day, a mute child began to talk after his parents prayed.

The study of the iconography of the image is varied. After the appearance of “Unfading Color,” many versions of icon painting arose, differing in detail, but identical in meaning. Some researchers are inclined to believe that the appearance of the first Athonite copy was in Constantinople. Whether this is true or not, since then three main known directions of icon painting of the Virgin Mary have emerged:

1. Russian.
2. Bulgarian.
3. Greek.

Each direction has its own traditions. Flowers on copies can be found not only white, but pink and even red. But in all the images one can guess the prototype of the lily given to the Queen Heavenly Archangel Gabriel. In the Historical Museum of Athens there is a 16th century image in which the Son of God is holding a branch, not Mother of God. And in the 17th century, iconography was created in Belarus with royal crowns on the heads of the Mother of God and the Child. It is assumed that it was from this copy that the tradition of painting the Infant God and the Mother of God with crowns on their heads arose, which does not contradict the principles of Christian icon painting.

On later copies in the 19th century, the compositions are simpler and inferior to ancient images in the richness of color and detail. The compositions become simpler, many attributes disappear, the branches are depicted less luxurious and bright.

Moscow lists

In pre-revolutionary Russia there was a Moscow monastery for unmarried girls, it was called Alekseevsky. It was there that the most ancient list icon “Unfading Color” in front of which the girls prayed to preserve spiritual purity and maintain bodily purity. Most likely, the list was brought to Russian Empire almost immediately after the painting of the image in the 17th century, since one known copy is dated 1691. The copy is different from the others: on it the baby is standing in full height, leans his hand on the shoulder of the seated Mother of God. On the right side of the Mother of God there is a ribbon with the name of the icon. On the throne there is a jug with a beautiful white branch.

Another famous list was kept in the Church of the Assumption in Mogiltsy. The bottom of the copy depicts a beautiful blooming lily on which stands the Son of God. The mother supports the baby with one hand, holds a white branch with the other, and Angels hover above her head. The Church of the Assumption was mentioned in their works by Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Griboyedov. The church has now been revived and houses a modern copy of "The Unfading Color" since the ancient copy disappeared under Soviet rule.

Where can you see "Eternal Color"

Lists of miraculous icons can be seen by visiting the following holy places:

• Russia, Moscow: Krasnoye Selo, St. Alekseevsky Monastery (the original was located here until 1757).
• Voronezh: Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The image was revered and loved by Seraphim of Sarov, who prayed to him in the temple of the town of Kadom (Ryazan region).
• Samara region: an amazing incident occurred in the house of a Christian woman; miraculous image"Unfading color" that disappears with the onset of night and appears with dawn. It was in 2012 on April 16 (the day of celebration of the “Unfading Color”, April 3 - according to the old style). Since then, countless pilgrims have come to see the miracle and pray. They even tried to convict the owner of fraud, there were a lot of commissions in the house, but nothing came of it, the Face of the Virgin Mary appears on the glass every morning.
• Yeisk district: a miraculous spring, which was revived in 2008.
• Ukraine, Kiev region: in the Vasilkovsky district there is a temple consecrated in honor of this image.
• Kherson region: Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, here the icon differs from the rest in that it bleeds, many sick people and simply believers come here to look at the miraculous icon and pray to it from the heart.

The Power of Image for Modern Believers

Pilgrims come en masse to Greece to Mount Athos to admire the amazing image of the Virgin Mary and tell her about their troubles, asking for healing for themselves and their relatives. Orthodox believe that they will receive healing or relief from illness, peace, help and resolution of family problems. The Holy Fathers warn that Mother helps only with sincere prayer, if the request for “help” comes from the heart, only with faith.

Athonite priests compare the tender branches on the images with the pure souls of people. This means that without vital moisture, plants wither, and without true faith and love, plants become stale. human soul, its most positive features disappear. But after spiritual prayer from comprehensive unconditional love The soul of God and the Mother of God can be reborn to a new righteous life, just as the miraculous branches in sacred icon painting are reborn.

Where in the house should the icon be located?

The main place in the house should be given to Jesus Christ and the Savior. For home interior There are no strict rules for the placement of icon paintings, as for churches. “Fadeless Color” can be placed in any place convenient for quiet prayer. The main thing is to highlight the “red corner” of the image, place it above the other lists (except for Christ), and decorate it, as is customary in Orthodoxy. Placement in cluttered cabinets is unacceptable, and there is no need to place any foreign objects next to the shrine, except for the actual details decorating the Mother of God.

Icon of the Mother of God Unfading Color

Icon of the Mother of God Unfading Color. Prayer. Meaning.

The icon of the Mother of God has an unfading color great importance for Orthodox believers. People turn to the Mother of God for help in consolation, because prayer in front of the icon helps to cope with grief. Young girls turn to the Most Pure One for help in finding a life partner.

In the image, the Mother of God holds the Son of God in her hand, and in her second hand she has a white lily, which personifies the symbol of the purity and virginity of the Unbrided Bride. On individual lists there is a difference: instead of a lily, the Virgin Mary holds a rose branch, and the baby can be either on the left hand or on the right. The miraculous power and meaning of all images are the same.

How does the Fadeless Color icon help?

Turning to the Mother of God before the miraculous image helps close people find understanding among themselves, helps solve the family problems of spouses, and preserves their loving relationship. This image is considered female, but any believer can pray.

The face of the Mother of God was used to bless young brides on their wedding day. happy marriage. Married women ask the face to protect the family hearth from adversity.

The Most Holy One helps believers get rid of temptations on the path of family life.

Women ask the Mother of God to make the marriage happy, as well as save the family.

Believers say that this image can give those who turn to it peace of mind, as well as preserve the beauty and youth of the body of those praying.

Prayers in front of the icon of the Unfading Color drive away the dark doubts that torment the soul and give faith and strength in the future. Most often, young girls turn to the image with a prayer for marriage. Sincere prayer will help them not to make a mistake in choosing a life partner who will be with her in sorrow and in joy.

Young girls ask Mother Heavenly to find the true life path, asking for protection from vicious temptations, asking her to pass on her knowledge and instructions for a righteous life to them.

Until 1757, the original icon was in the St. Alexeevsky Monastery of Krasnoe Selo in Moscow. But this image was lost, it was replaced by a copy that also had the power of healing.

In Voronezh, in the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is a list of the icon; many parishioners turn to it. In the village of Kadom, Ryazan region, there is a list that Seraphim of Sarov revered and loved very much.

In the Samara region in 2012, an image of the Mother of God of the Unfading Color appeared on the window of the house of one parishioner of a local church, to which many believers and worshipers began to come with prayers and requests.

In many museums, in the Tretyakov Gallery there are lists of the miraculous icon.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God Unfading Color

The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” is not very often found in Russian churches today. But everyone who sees it, at first sight, is attracted by 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 vital importance 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 Virgin Mary “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 the Christian tradition, the miracle with Aaron's rod is considered as follows. The rod itself, blooming with a fragrant flower, is a symbol of pure and immaculate virgin Maria. 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, isolated it into an independent iconographic plot. Its development was also influenced by the process of literal embodiment of various words in Christian painting. liturgical books and hymns, 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 century, known for its love of ostentation and multiple figures, endowed the image 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 of the 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 Infant of God 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. Griboedov. Today it has been revived again, but miraculous icon disappeared under Soviet rule, and now a modern list 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”. The church operates 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 people pray to this icon for.

By 2012, in best traditions Russian northern wooden architecture, a small temple of the “Unfading Flower” icon was built in the village of Sumarokovo, Ruza 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, before 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 prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon, which are read before the icon 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 hearts evil people, rising up 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 Patroness, 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 most 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 troubles and misfortunes 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, blossoming unfading color, rejoice, Lady, with Her we are filled with joy and inherit life.”

In front of the “Unfading Color” icon Mother of God they offer prayers for the preservation of a righteous life, for a faithful marriage, asking for a happy marriage, preservation of purity and chastity, for deliverance from carnal warfare upon entering married life.

The spoken prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon has the meaning of pure and fiery, helps in deciding difficult situations in family. The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is one of the most popular among Christians, revealing its beauty to the world.

The icon depicts the Mother of God holding a flower in her hand.

It has the meaning of the permanence of virginity and the immaculate life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Church Orthodox Christianity This is how he addresses himself in prayer to the Most Pure One, calling her the Unfading Flower.

The world is presented with several versions of icons that differ from each other. One of these icons shows the face of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Divine Child standing on the left, who holds a scepter and orb in his hands.

Read prayer at home and in church

It is possible to read the prayer while being under the shadow of the Church, or at home. In any case, it will have meaning and will be effective if you handle it with love and faith. Otherwise, the Most Holy Theotokos will not be able to hear you and the problems will remain unresolved.

Prayer for the icon “Unfading Color”

“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. Lady and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, give reason and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, because of 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 most 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 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."

Be sure to purchase the “Fadeless Color” icon. You can place it in your room and offer prayers in front of it daily, asking for solutions to problems, improvement in your marriage, happiness for your children, etc.

You can light a candle in front of the icon to make it easier to concentrate on your desire.

The “Unfading Color” icon has a wonderful meaning. There is evidence that on the day of the celebration of the icon, April 16, in the Samara region, a pensioner woman saw the miraculous face of the Most Holy Theotokos with an unfading color appear on her window.

Prayer to save the family

There are many prayer words with which Orthodox Christians address the Mother of God in front of the “Unfading Color” icon. Everyone strives to achieve different things. Its meaning is used by those deceived in marriage, mothers who want to find happiness for their young children, as well as everyone who wants to lead decent life under the shadow of Christianity.

Prayer before the “Unfading Color” icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is extremely effective, about which you can read a lot of evidence on the Internet.

Most often, holy words before the face help to obtain remission of sins and protection in the misfortunes of marriage. Prayer helps to ensure that the Lady hears her and helps with her advice and miraculous power. She is able to grant a quiet and serene life, especially helping those who have repented of their sins.

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. Many different and unusual stories of the creation and manifestation of holiness are associated with it.

The icon can be considered one of the most little-known. The question of its origin and development of iconographic subjects, in Russian literature practically absent. Image of the Blessed 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 “The New Treasury”. It dates back to the period 1612.

Here the Mother of God 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 Rawhide. The fourth icon is in the State Russian Museum. It was delivered from the now defunct Trinity-Petrovsky Cathedral.

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 "Unfading 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 is no stronger than words 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 about the future life go away. 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 convey 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 making the right choice and making decisions about a 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, the prayer words read in front of the icon contain great 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, 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.” Miraculous image Mother of God, gives help only to true believers.