The Icon of the Unfading Color also has a second name - Fragrant Color. It is considered very ancient. On April 16, a large number of Orthodox people come to honor this icon. This is a very powerful image that has created many different miracles.
Many experts consider this icon to be the most beautiful of all kinds of other images. When pilgrims brought it (17th century), people began to note its miraculous properties, which continue to this day.
Why pray to the Fadeless Color icon
People have long known that prayer to the Unfading Color icon helps all girls who dream of maintaining their beautiful appearance and youth for as long as possible. Protects them and gives them strength to stay clean and live a right life.
The Mother of God, who is depicted on this icon, holds her small child, holding a branch of a flower with the other hand. Initially it was a bouquet of lilies, then a flower, nowadays they are painted with a twig. It symbolizes purity, virginity and purity. Girls who wear such an amulet on their chests are protected from the vicious temptations of our world.
Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God Unfading Color helps a person gain additional strength so that he can overcome all the trials that life gives him. Saves marriage, strengthens family relationships, helps to overcome various family difficulties that happen in almost every family.
Girls and women who want to get married often pray in front of this icon. They ask that they meet exactly the person who will be their support for the rest of their lives, reliable, kind and a true protector. Before the wedding ceremony, they ask that the future family be reliable and strong.
Sincere prayer directs a person on the right path, adds spiritual strength that may already be running low, and relieves him of despondency and heavy thoughts. Many sources say that prayer in front of this icon is long time preserved youth and health.
How does prayer in front of the Unfading Color icon help?
Prayers in front of the Icon always add strength to a person, drive bad thoughts out of his head, and also give him faith in the future. In front of the icon of the Unfading Color, people ask:
- help from higher powers for marriage;
- so that the decision in choosing a soul mate is not wrong;
- a life partner for life, who will be in both joy and sorrow;
- young, unmarried girls who are raised in the faith, in prayer ask for protection from the vicious temptations that are so many in this world;
- girls also want to gain knowledge to properly raise the future generation.
History of the icon
It is believed that the icon first appeared on the island of Kefalonia, near Athos, and it was from this image that many similar versions emerged. An amazing story happened in this place many hundreds of years ago.
There was a tradition on this island that continues to this day. On the Feast of the Annunciation, people bring flowers white(tulips or similar ones) to the face of the Mother of God, there they lie until the feast of Her Assumption. It is important to note that the flowers lie without water and sunlight almost five months.
But many years ago a miracle happened: the stems of flowers similar to lilies suddenly began to fill with moisture and come to life. Instead of already withered flowers, new buds appeared and after a while lush bouquets of white flowers stood in this place. Master icon painters were inspired by this miracle, and this is how the Unfading Color icon appeared.
The Athos icon spread throughout the Orthodox world. But a little later, three main directions appeared that made copies of this icon - Russia, Greece, Bulgaria. It is thanks to this that an incredibly huge iconographic diversity appeared.
The Everlasting Color first appeared in Greece around the 16th century. Pilgrims brought the first list to Russia much later. The first monastery to have this icon was St. Alekseevsky in Moscow.
The first records about the icon are found only in 1757; celebrations are held in its honor on April 16. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist accurate information, from where it came to our region, but presumably from the Balkans.
Many historians believe that lists created in the 19th century and later are inferior to more ancient ones. The old icons depicted a large number of attributes, there were flowers in the hands, and later they increasingly drew a twig. The coloring of the composition became more restrained, and the crown disappeared.
Text of the prayer to the holy image
O 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.
Troparion, tone 5
Most blessed Virgin Mary, we worship Your most pure image, We sing a song of praise to You, We bring needs, grief and tears to You, But You, oh, our meek Intercessor, Earthly sorrows are so close to You, accept our sighs, help us and save us from troubles. Tirelessly and with tenderness let us call to You: Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.
Greatness
We magnify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Thy holy image, through which we heal our illnesses and raise souls to God.
Conclusion
There is no doubt about the miraculousness of the icon, and miracles occurred not only in ancient times, but also in modern world. In 2007, in the Kherson region, it began to flow myrrh, and since then miracles began to happen.
People came from all over the CIS to the icon of the Unfading Color and read prayers to get married. Indeed, many women who could not find a life partner for many years found a husband after a short period of time and live happily in marriage.
Of course, after the miraculous deeds, everything more people started coming to this place. And more and more people were amazed at how prayers to this icon saved entire families and restored relationships. There have been cases where quarrels occurred within a family over many years, but after sincere prayer, people reconciled.
There are known cases of not only restoration of relationships, but also healing properties. Parents often brought their children to the icon and asked for help in healing, and after a while the children recovered.
Listen to the prayer to the icon of the 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 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 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 of the words of various 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 pomp and multi-figure, awarded the image big amount new parts. 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 of 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 There are several venerated copies of the “Fadeless Color” icon 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 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. On it Christ, supported by the Mother of God, stands on beautiful flower, growing from the bottom 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 the miraculous icon disappeared during Soviet power, and now the church has a modern list of it.
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 was especially revered by parishioners. Perm region. 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 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 best traditions 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. 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 the 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 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 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 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.”
Icon where Mother of God depicted with a flower in her hand, called “Eternal Flower”. 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 the unfading color of purity.
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 the wedding. So we can say that the icon was especially revered by girls of marriageable age. Most old sample 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 on Mogiltsy there is another image of the icon, where the Mother of God holds in her right hand white lily. 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 the 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 the biblical story of Aaron, in which flowers miraculously bloomed on a wooden rod 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 offer prayers in front of the icon. 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 Orthodox Christian icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” is revered as one of the holiest and most beautiful images. Learn about the amazing power of the icon and how it can help you.
The icon appeared in Rus' in the 17th century; it was brought from Greece to Moscow, where it immediately became loved and revered. Since that time, many cases of healing from the “Virgin Flower” have been known. Indeed, in prayers they often compare the Mother of God and the Son of God Jesus Christ with unfading, eternally fragrant flowers.
In the image, the Most Holy Theotokos holds the Divine Child in one hand and a white lily in the other. This is a symbol of purity, purity and deliverance from bad thoughts.
What is asked for from the “Fadeless Color” icon?
Before the image, Orthodox Christians pray for purity of thoughts and reconciliation with themselves, and ask to strengthen their faith. The Holy Face is able to protect from sins and guide you on the right path. The icon helps when choosing a spouse and warns against an incorrect or rash decision. Strengthens family ties.
If this face of the Mother of God is worn on the chest, it will preserve childhood and chastity. The breastplate should be worn by little girls and unmarried girls.
Lonely or lost people turn to the icon with prayers and requests. loved one People. IN beautiful image looking for solace and peace.
Girls and women turn to the Mother of God, the holy image protects the fair sex and helps in complex issues. At all times people came to the icon with requests for love and good life partners. They prayed for their loved ones who were in danger and asked for the men to be returned from the war alive and well. Married women they turned to the image with a request to strengthen families or prayed for the conception of a child.
People said that the face of the Mother of God with a lily is capable of preserving female beauty and youth, one has only to venerate the flower.
The Queen of God fulfills the fastest mother's prayers about his daughter's marriage, because there is nothing stronger than love mothers to their children.
Prayer to 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, 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".
Remember sincere prayer and request will always be heard. When turning to the beautiful holy image, keep your thoughts clean and orderly, and the Most Holy Theotokos will definitely help you. We wish you good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and
10.08.2015 00:30
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Sincere prayers said in front of the “Unfading Color” icon can not only restore the spiritual strength of believers and guide them on the path of righteousness, but also help preserve youth and beauty.
Appeal to the Mother of God before miraculous icon promotes conservation loving relationship between spouses, helps close people find understanding, strengthen family relationships, resolve serious problems, with whom household members interact. Girls resort to prayers in front of the icon, turning to the Most Pure One for help in finding a reliable and loving spouse. Those who need consolation also come to the Virgin Mary; the icon is revered among people who have experienced some kind of grief. Prayers to the Mother of God in front of the “Unfading Color” icon help to gain faith in the future, strength to continue life, and inspire to fight dark thoughts , and also allow you to forget about mental anxieties.
There are many miracles associated with the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”. It happened more than once that after praying in front of the shrine, young girls found a life partner, finding harmony and happiness in family life. The sufferers also testified that the Virgin Mary helped them, after turning before the icon, to find peace of mind, find the meaning of your existence, reevaluate your life. Other Christians came to the shrine at moments when sadness gripped their souls and thoughts, and only the Queen of Heaven was able to guide them on the true path, indicate a righteous way of life, find happiness and accept themselves as a person is.
The Orthodox know that the Most Pure One cannot leave to the mercy of fate those who need her affection. Many miracles associated with the "Unfading Flower" happened in old times, the appearance of the image of the Mother of God saved thousands of Christians from spiritual burdens. But even today miraculous phenomena are happening.
For example, on Mount Kefalonia, located near the island of Athos in Greece, something amazing happens every year. One is very supported here interesting tradition: on the day of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God Christians bring white flowers to the temple, similar to those that Gabriel appeared with them to the Virgin Mary. These flowers are stored until the celebration in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, there is no need to water the plants.
And every year a bright miracle is observed - the dry stems of flowers after 5 months are filled with new strength, without knowing either moisture or solar heat. Not only do the plants not die, but new snow-white buds appear on the stems. According to some beliefs, it was this event that became the reason for the creation of the icon of the Mother of God “Fading Color”. The authors of the creation were the Athonite monks, inspired by the miracle.
The flowers held in the hands of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus are a symbol of the virginity and purity of the Virgin Mary, Her spiritual perfection and righteousness. That's why I started contacting Orthodox Church to the Most Holy One: “You are the Root of virginity and the Unfading Flower of purity.”
Among the clergy of the church on Mount Kefalonia, there is a widespread belief that the dried flowers, which anyone can see under the icon case, symbolize human souls. We, like plants, often lose that divine spark that the Lord God gave us. It’s not just our body that is wasting away (that’s not so scary). Our soul is desolate, because we forget about what life should be like. true Christian, we resort to sinful acts. But just like flowers, we can always return, having set foot on the path of a righteous life. To blossom spiritually - to believe and trust in Christ our Savior. For everyone who resorts to the Mother of God with fervent prayer, the merciful God is always ready to help.
