On the Greek island of Kefalonia, a bright tradition has existed for centuries. On the holy feast of the Annunciation, believers bring modest white flowers to the Church, similar to those that the Archangel Gabriel presented to the Mother of God with the news of God’s will to become the mother of the Savior.
The young, embarrassed girl accepted Gabriel's gift, and since then the lily flower has become the personification of the Virgin Mary, as a symbol of purity and innocence. Remembering this phenomenon, Orthodox Christians, feeling the protection and patronage of the Mother of God, place fragile flowers on the icon case in front of the icon, where they remain for a long five months without watering or rays of sunlight.
And on the Feast of the Assumption, an incredible event happens every time - miraculously the withered stems are filled with juice, new shoots of buds are expelled and the temple is filled with a wonderful fragrance and luxurious blossoming of lilies. This is the unfading color. The priests say that, like a flower, the human soul can dry out, losing its divine spark. But as soon as one regains faith, the hardened spirit, with the help of prayer and trust in Christ, again joins the mercy of the Mother of God.
Description
Since the original image of the Mother of God was lost and her image was restored from numerous preserved church scrolls, there is no single prototype. Most often, the Virgin Mary is depicted in festive clothes of blue or red decorated with ribbons. With one hand the Mother of God supports the Divine Infant, and with the other she holds a branch of a lily with a blossoming bud.
The face of the Queen of Heaven is depicted as soft and gentle.
The Synod allows variations in the image:
- Jesus is supported by both the right and left hands of the Virgin Mary.
- The head of the Mother of God can be covered with a veil, with a crown, or not covered at all.
- Christ is depicted as both a baby and a youth in rich clothes with a crown on his head. He holds a scroll or orb in his hands.
- Flowers may differ in variety, shade and splendor.
It is noted that the older and more ancient the icon, the more carefully the details are drawn on it. The plot can be supplemented by the image of a throne, flower garlands and the apostles present.
The history of the creation of the holy image
The history of the creation of the icon is noteworthy. In Greece, on Mount Kefalonia, a miracle occurs every year, which many pilgrims witness. According to the tradition that has developed over many centuries, on the day of the Annunciation, white flowers are brought to the festive service, in memory of the flower that was in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel at that great hour. These flowers are carefully placed in the icon case under glass and stored there without water until the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, that is, for five months. And every year on the same day, the dry stems of flowers are filled with life-giving power, and fresh snow-white buds appear on them. The sight of these flowers inspired Athonite icon painters to create the image “Unfading Color”.
Meaning
Since ancient times, the “Unfading Color” icon has symbolized innocence, pure thoughts and the unfading beauty of the soul before suffering and grief. Purity and chastity emanating from the Mother of God are the standard for young unmarried girls and single boys who dream of finding their other half to create a strong family.
Often, in the image of the Mother of God, brides are blessed for marriage and escorted into married life, having carried out the Sacrament of Wedding.
Looking at the lovely image of the Virgin Mary, women of different ages pray for the preservation of health and beauty. Single Christians of both sexes, bowing before the icon, ask to be given a bright feeling of love, to relieve anxiety and receive recognition from the people around them.
Arzam image, lost and recreated
Before the revolution, the Intercession Convent near Arzamas also housed the universally revered icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower.” But in the fire of the revolution, the monastery was badly damaged, and the shrine itself was irretrievably lost. All that remained were the memories of the miracles sent down through her by the Queen of Heaven. In 2010, one of Ardatov’s businessmen initiated the reconstruction of the image based on surviving photographs and testimonies of old parishioners who remembered the icon. Specialists were invited, and with their help the image was restored.
What do they pray to the icon for and how does “Fadeless Color” help?
The Mother of God has always been considered the main intercessor of Orthodox Christians. Despite the fact that more women turn to the “Unfading Color” icon, a sincere prayer for the mercy of the Mother of God is acceptable for people of both sexes and a wide range of ages.
Young boys and girls are asking:
- The saint will help you get married safely. About maintaining chastity.
- About protection from temptations and dirty thoughts.
- About a successful marriage or marriage.
- About sending down a respected and honest life partner.
- About admonition when choosing a chosen one.
- About healthy offspring.
- About a quick understanding between future spouses.
- About protection from loneliness.
Married ladies and respectable men pray:
- About the pacification of spiritual and carnal passions.
- About help in overcoming obstacles.
- About mutual understanding in married life and maintaining loving relationships.
- About a calm future pastime with family.
- About the proper upbringing of children.
- About the decision in the event of family adversity and preservation of the home.
- About preserving the beauty of soul and body.
Miraculous icon from Voronezh
Among the existing icons of this type, the miraculous icon from the city of Voronezh, kept in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, is widely known in Orthodox circles. Its history is remarkable. She disappeared during the revolution. Information about it is preserved only in archival documents of that period.
But at the beginning of the 2000s, when they began to return to the believers everything that had been illegally taken away during the hard times, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was also returned to the parishioners. However, the real holiday was the miraculous appearance of the very icon that was considered irretrievably lost. Now it can be seen in Voronezh on the left side of the Intercession Church. Already today, much evidence of her miracles has been collected.
Icon in the house
Home iconostasis.
Usually the icon is placed in the home iconostasis along with the other images or placed on a specially equipped shelf in the eastern side of the home. or willow twigs are considered good decorations for the “Unfading Color” It is necessary to remember about regular cleaning of the home icon case; the image must be kept clean.
Respect for the holy image greatly strengthens the prayer of the believer.
It is also permissible to place icons in rooms:
- Marital bedroom. Love relationships between spouses are not considered a sin, but lead to the continuation of the human race.
- Girl's bedroom. The image helps to maintain purity of thoughts and refrain from sinful thoughts.
- Children bedroom. Under the auspices of the Mother of God, children's sleep will be pure and bright.
Clergy have no special requirements for the placement of icons. It is possible to place the icon anywhere in the house.
Lyrics
You can download the texts in Russian to your computer and print them out. How to do this, see the instructions.
Prayer
Troparion, tone 5
Greatness
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 and teach us, do not retreat 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, so that we may pay for our sins. Oh, Mother Mary, our most kind and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession, protect us 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 may be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and be justified by Your wonderful intercession at the Last Judgment of Your Son, to whom we give glory, honor and worship now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
It may seem to people far from faith that the image of “The Unfading Flower” is just a pretty picture, but thousands of believers talk about the ambulance of the Mother of God, about her intercession and guardianship over the petitioners.
When to contact
- The all-merciful lady will heal from any mental anguish and worries, mainly this concerns family problems;
- If a girl cannot make a decision in choosing a worthy husband, or several young men have asked for her hand in marriage, the Mother of God will teach how to find happiness in marriage;
- It happens that the family often quarrels, then the young wife needs the support of the Almighty Mother in her worries. By humbly praying, she will save her family, look differently at her beloved husband and find peace;
- The Mother of God will help with childhood illnesses: she will never leave the child to suffer and will protect him from illness.
Protection and patronage - what does prayer in front of a shrine save from?
This image exudes tenderness, compassion, and love. Therefore, those who are tired of adversity and anxiety, have lost faith, and despair often resort to him, because his grace can save a person from the very depths of the underworld. Next to the relic, the soul also blooms like a flower, returning to life and joy, reborn for new exploits and achievements. Getting rid of apathy, indifference, melancholy and indifference - this is what the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Unfading Color is capable of accomplishing. The meaning, what the shrine helps with - read on.
The face of the Most Pure Virgin embodies spiritual purity and innocence, and therefore people who bow before her acquire these wonderful qualities of character. Calmness, depth of nature, fortitude, uncomplaining acceptance of all trials, humility and meekness - this is what an icon can give. But the preservation of such character traits depends only on the person himself, on his diligence in observing Christian canons.
Also, the Virgin Mary, overshadowed by the Unfading Flower, is famous as the patroness of family and married life. Her love will protect your union from any troubles, troubles, quarrels and problems, and will allow you to jointly overcome any trials, obstacles and hardships.
The Mother of God icon “Unfading Color” must be present in the home iconostasis of a young girl. A beauty entering womanhood will confide in her her hopes, fears and dreams, and the Most Pure Virgin will certainly respond to a sincere request, helping in the search for a future spouse. Turning to the shrine will allow you not to succumb to premature temptations, but to faithfully wait for your “soul mate.” Therefore, such an image, made of amber, will be an excellent surprise for a goddaughter or friend.
An adult woman can turn to a relic with a request to give her children, strengthen a marriage, or resolve a difficult problem or misunderstanding in a relationship. Prayer in front of the image will allow you to steadfastly and humbly overcome all the sorrows that sometimes happen in family life. In addition, this icon helps preserve spiritual and physical youth, attractiveness, and physical health
And back in 1999, this image was declared the emblem of Orthodox ecology. Therefore, he is a symbol and protector of all those who try to take care of the preservation of nature, its diversity and beauty.
Icon of the Mother of God: appearance and veneration of the image
The icon of the Mother of God of the Unfading Color owes its creation to the unusual and solemn tradition that exists on the island of Kefalonia (Greece). In these places, it is customary to honor the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, donating fragrant white flowers to Her images - jasmine, lilies, roses and edelweiss. They serve as a reminder of the divine messenger Gabriel, who appeared to the Immaculate Young Lady to announce to Her the Lord’s will. Delicate inflorescences are carefully and reverently placed under icon cases, and also decorate with them the rooms in which the shrines are located. Over time, the petals fade, because according to the rules, not a drop of water or a ray of sunlight should reach them. But on the day of the Dormition of the Heavenly Queen (August 8), a miracle happens - the dried stems bloom again, turning into fresh and lush bouquets!
It was this miracle, called “Unfading Color,” that prompted the Athonite monks to create the icon of the same name. It is made in the canon of Hodegetria (from Greek - “Guide”, “Pointing the way”), but an indispensable attribute of the images are beautiful flowers. Once upon a time there was also a similar image - “Fragrant color”. It differed from the first in that in the image of the “Unfading Color” the Savior is seated on the right hand of the Heavenly Queen, while in the “Fragile” - on the left . However, now these differences are practically not respected.
What do the buds depicted on the icon symbolize? In addition to the tradition described above, they also display words from the liturgy that describe the Mother of God as an unfading, fragrant flower. In particular, similar comparisons are found in the “Canon of Gratefulness to the Blessed Virgin” by Joseph the Songsinger.
From the first version of the image, written on Athos, several more lists were later created. The most famous of them are Greek (XVI–XVII centuries), Bulgarian and Russian (XVII–XIX centuries). Also quite common is a Byzantine (Constantinople) copy, presumably made in the 16th century.
All these icons of the Virgin Mary are very diverse, but always magnificent and impressive. On them, the Heavenly Queen and the Divine Child are crowned with flower crowns, in their hands are wands with blossoming buds, and the figures and faces are surrounded by garlands, trellises and flowerpots filled with flowers. Sometimes the petals are used to make halos around saints or a pedestal on which the Mother of God stands holding Jesus. More often than not, the inflorescences are abstract, but sometimes you can guess in them lilies - a symbol of the innocence of the Unbridled Bride, royal roses or immortelles - a sign of spiritual rebirth.
The day of remembrance of the icon is April 3 (16), when all nature around blossoms and rejoices, as if also glorifying the All-Blessed Virgin. But sometimes it is celebrated on November 15 (28) - this tradition dates back to the time of the existence of a separate image of the “Fragrant Color”.
History of the origin of the icon
The image of the Mother of God, called the “Unfading Flower,” is quite rare and is not found in all Orthodox churches. This version of the icon is an akathist (here you can read the akathist before the Unfading Color icon). This means that the image reflects chants glorifying the Most Pure Virgin Mary.
The period and circumstances of the origin of "Eternal Color" are not exactly known. There is an old story that the image owes its appearance to Christians who lived on one of the islands of the Ionian Sea. At the Annunciation, believers brought bouquets of white flowers to the temple, which they left next to the face of the Mother of God. The plants were not removed, contrary to all natural laws, they began to come to life. This always happened on the Assumption. The news of the rare miracle spread everywhere and reached the Athonite monks, who decided to create the most beautiful icon “Unfading Color”.
The divine appearance surrounded by beautiful flowers is mentioned in church records of the 17th–18th centuries. Over time, the miraculous painting ended up on Russian soil, where a large number of believers were waiting for it. Here, many accurate copies were made from the image, which were later given to various churches and monasteries.
In the past, on the territory of Russia there were 4 miraculous icons “Unfading Color”, created by the monks of Athos. One original image was lost, two are still kept in the Tretyakov Gallery, the fourth is in the State Museum.
Miraculous events associated with the icon
There are many stories confirming the miraculousness and great power of the “Fadeless Color” image. The shrine located on the Israeli Mount Tabor is well known in the Christian world. Its unusualness lies not only in its appearance (the icon is made in black and white), but also in the events associated with this face.
There is a story that in the middle of the last century a lithographic image of the Mother of God was purchased by a devout resident of the island of Crete. Subsequently, he securely sealed it in a vessel and released it into the sea waters. The man accompanied the icon with a note in which he wished it to swim to the Holy Land, and also asked the person who found the message to pray for himself.
Just a few months later, this Christian’s message reached the Bishop of Nazareth. On his instructions, the icon of the Mother of God was inserted into the icon case and transferred to one of the local churches. Soon the image began to show its miraculous power, helped a large number of people recover from illnesses and became deeply revered. When pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the icon, it was transferred to the Transfiguration Monastery on Tabor. The abbot of the monastery managed to find the pious man who sent the holy image on a sea voyage. For this man, who gave the world a valuable icon, all the prayers he asked for were read.
In 2007, another miracle happened: the painting “Unfading Color” from the village began to flow myrrh. Novovoskresenovka, Kherson region. This image has considerable miraculous power. The myrrh-streaming icon has helped many people resolve conflict situations, find family happiness, and get rid of speech pathologies (stuttering, aphasia).
In 2012, a unique case was recorded - the appearance of a miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Child Christ in her arms. An unprecedented event occurred in the village of Chernovka, Samara region. On the window of the house where a believing woman lived, an image of the Virgin Mary with a flowering branch suddenly appeared. The miracle occurred on April 16, the day of remembrance of the Orthodox shrine. In the evening the drawing gradually faded, and after sunrise it again became clear and expressive. The authenticity of the image was repeatedly confirmed by the clergy who arrived at this place.
Where is the face of the Virgin Mary today?
You can bow to the image, ask for help or support in different parts of Russia. Lists of the icon “Fadeless Color” are:
- in Moscow, in the Assumption Church on Mogiltsy, in Bolshoi Vlasyevsky Lane, as well as in the St. Alekseevsky Monastery in Krasnoye Selo;
- in the village of Otradnoye, Voronezh region: the face is located in the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- in the town of Kadom, Ryazan region. An image brought in ancient times from Georgia, revered in his time by God's saint Seraphim of Sarov, is kept here.
The construction of churches is consecrated in the name of the Mother of God. With the invisible support of the icon, forgotten monasteries and monasteries are being revived. In 1998, in the village of Rublevo, located next to the Moscow River, construction began on a new church in honor of the “Unfading Color”.
