Icon of an unfading flower. Icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Color". History, meaning and symbolism. The Power of Image for Modern Believers

Orthodox prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading Flower” for marriage

Prayer can bring a lot of prosperity, luck and abundance into life; you should always do this, regardless of your mood, day of the week or weather. The prayer “Unfading Flower” to the icon of the Mother of God for marriage will certainly help you improve your personal life. True Orthodox prayer is capable of many things, but not everyone understands or appreciates it. Some prayed, it became a little better, and abandoned it. You can't be so superficial. Continue to pray even when everything is fine. Be quick to thank, and not just ask.

Prayer to the Mother of God Unfading Color: text in Russian with comments

Who can read the prayer “Unfading Color”

Those girls who are in search of their love can safely read this prayer.

It was read by those who dreamed of organizing their personal lives back in ancient times. The purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a symbol of the pure and innocent bride. This is the reason why girls began to pray in front of this icon, asking for help in finding a good husband and a strong family.

The fact that the number of places where there is an icon of the Mother of God is quite large shows us how revered she is. The image of the unfading color is considered powerful.

But not only brides can turn to this icon. Those who are sick or sad can also pray in front of her.

Text of the prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon

Below you will find information on how to read the prayer to the “unfading color” icon, and also read

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

Protect everyone who comes 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,

Enlighten and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, because of 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 color 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 to fulfill the commandments,

May we be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and may we 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.

How to read a prayer correctly?

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos: It has been read since ancient times by young girls asking for a husband

The rules of the prayer Unfading Color are no different from the others, absolutely nothing.

You can read it together with both morning prayers and evening prayers. It will not lose its power if you read it in the temple on your own or at home.
Another quite common rule is sincerity. You need to open your heart. There is no need to select intonation, build a tone, change your voice... all this is unnecessary. Just empty your head of garbage and give yourself completely to prayer. Believe in what you say, in her strength and in yourself.

Prayer and all the good words it carries can completely destroy the accumulated negativity inside a person. Prayer can cure not only illness and the soul. It helps to get rid of troubles and evil. Rumor has it that it can even prolong life.

But in order for prayer to work, you need to set yourself up for a positive result and that it really helps. All the saints and our Lord do not always hear us, for one simple reason, because we do not let what we say into our souls. It must be said sincerely. Push aside all negativity and radiate faith.

Learn to pray. Learn to believe. Learn to radiate goodness. Do not accumulate evil and hatred, all this will only worsen your life and attract a lot of negativity into it. Do not waste time on unnecessary things, rather devote it to prayer and God.

Only those who once tried to take the right path could no longer go a day without praying. And do this not with the goal of improving your life, but with the goal of getting closer to the Lord. Do it not because you have to, but because you have consciously become ready for it.

Peter and Fevronia

If you have any questions or need help in your current life situation, you can consult with our experts.

I got married thanks to this prayer. I was a girl for two years, with no luck and no luck. I found this site and decided to try reading this prayer. A week later I unexpectedly met MCH in a supermarket and got married six months later. We'll have a baby soon! And many thanks to the Internet and your site for the happiness I have found!

My older sister is 32 and lives in America. She has a divorce behind her and is very disappointed in men. But our mother says that we need to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos and everything will be fine. My sister didn’t believe it and was offended by my mother. And I decided to pray for her, because I so sincerely wished her happiness. I know that 32 in America is too early for marriage, but I wanted nephews quickly before time ran out. And I prayed for her, day and night. And then he met his wonderful dentist in a white Chevrolet. The whole family is collecting money for tickets in the summer :)

This prayer helped me too! For a long, long time I waited for my betrothed - but the cherished proposal still did not arrive! Whatever I did, whatever I did! And my mother found this prayer for me! Soon I met my beloved and soon (this summer) our wedding! My happiness knows no bounds! Believe, girls, God will definitely help you fulfill your deepest desires!

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Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”

In front of the icon of the “Unfading Flower” of the Mother of God, prayers are offered for the preservation of a righteous life, for faithful marriage, asking for a happy marriage, preservation of purity and chastity, for deliverance from carnal warfare when entering married life.

The spoken prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon has the meaning of pure and fiery, helps in solving difficult situations in the 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. The Church of Orthodox Christianity appeals to the Most Pure One in this way, 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 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.

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 a 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.

“Indestructible color” has the meaning of protecting visible and invisible enemies, softening evil hearts. It is also used to reduce carnal desires and passions. Many wives and husbands turn to her in order to remain faithful in marriage when temptations arise, or when they are afraid of their occurrence.

Many married couples pray together to save their marriage and achieve harmony in their relationship. You can read amazing cases of healing and finding family happiness on various forums and Internet portals.

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

In Christianity, the earthly mother of Jesus Christ, one of the most revered personalities and the greatest of Christian saints.

Prayer to the Mother of God Unfading color: comments

One comment

My husband and I have been married for 3 years. At first everything was fine: they understood each other perfectly, helped and supported each other in a difficult situation. But like any family, we had problems. Misunderstandings began, they began to understand each other less, and quarrels began. We tried to compromise, but this did little to help us solve family problems. We were ready to break up, but we really didn’t want to destroy what had been built with so much love and for so long.

My grandmother, a very religious person, told me about an icon that helps with family problems, guides her wife on the true path and saves the family. This is the “Fadeless Color” icon.

It was here that I found a prayer to the icon, I read it every day, my soul becomes lighter and I notice how my relationship with my husband is improving.

Icon “Fading Color”

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 people or people who have lost a loved one turn to the icon with prayers and requests. They seek solace and peace in a beautiful image.

Girls and women turn to the Mother of God; the holy image protects the fair sex and helps in difficult matters. 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 turned to the image with a request to strengthen their 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.

Most quickly, the Queen of God fulfills a mother’s prayers for her daughter’s marriage, because there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love for her 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

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Mother of God unfading color prayer for marriage

The Most Holy Theotokos is the main intercessor of man before the Lord and conveys to Him all the innermost desires of man.

In the history of Christianity, there are many images of the Mother of God, and each of them is famous for miracles! And of course, there are icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, prayers in front of which help to find happiness and get married.

One of these icons is the “Unfading Flower” icon - this is one of the most lyrical images of the Most Holy Theotokos and the favorite icon of all Orthodox women!

It is assumed that the Athonite monks were inspired to paint this icon by an annual miracle, which was witnessed more than once by residents and guests of the Holy Mountain.

Pilgrims bring white flowers (lilies) to the Mareti of God, and the clergy put them in the icon case of the Most Pure One. On the eve of the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, dry and lifeless stems are filled with strength and color and produce new buds.

Allegorically, this miracle is associated with the purity of the Virgin Mary - Her Unfading Color. It is believed that in front of this icon, girls can ask the Mother of God for finding true love, for a successful marriage, for a happy family life.

Prayer to the Mother of God for marriage

This prayer is read in front of the “Unfading Color” icon.

“O Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect everyone who comes 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, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, Your servants, for murmuring is our. 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, come to help us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the paths 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."

Who else can you pray for marriage:

1. Prayer to the Lord God for marriage(read a prayer).

2. Prayers to the Saints for marriage.

You can also pray to the Saints for a happy marriage, who are a kind of intermediaries between man and God. They listen to prayer and pass it on to God! They respond to your sincere requests!

a) Prayer for marriage to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most beloved Saints among the Russian Orthodox people. Its miracles are varied and countless. There is no such case when a Saint cannot help a person. He very willingly responds to prayers for marriage. Read a prayer...

b) Prayer to Matrona for marriage

Saint Matrona is called “Mother”. The miracles of Matrona are innumerable. She is very responsive to women's requests for a happy marriage and the birth of a child. Read a prayer...

c) Prayer of Ksenia of Petersburg for marriage

There is a huge amount of evidence of Ksenia of Petersburg’s help in matters of marriage and personal happiness. Read a prayer...

d) Prayer to Peter and Fevronia for marriage

Saints Peter and Fevronia are revered in Orthodox Christianity as an example of a loving family. They lived a long, happy life and retained tender feelings for each other. Now their names are associated with an example of true family happiness, a strong, love-filled marriage. Through prayers in front of their icons, the most amazing miracles happen, including requests for a happy marriage being fulfilled! Read a prayer...

e) Prayer on the Intercession for marriage

The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is a great holiday! It is celebrated on October 14 every year. On Pokrov, girls who want to get married need to come to church and light a candle to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ask her for a happy marriage. Married women can ask for happiness in their family life!

It is believed that the husband given to you after the Intercession prayer will be the best and ideal man for you! Read a prayer...

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. The Icon of the Unfading Color is 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 of Kefalonia, a tradition has been carried out for a long time: on the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (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. The flowers placed by parishioners under the icon case are not removed until one of the main Orthodox holidays - the 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 an 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 and in the other hand a white unfading flower. On some icons you can see a pink plant (a rose or just a pink branch), and a baby - sometimes on the right hand, sometimes on the left. But from a slight difference in the images, the meaning of the icon does not lose its power and miraculous power. It is argued that the first icons depicted the Mother of God seated on a throne and holding a scepter entwined with a white branch.

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 calmness, 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 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, 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 pray if problems arise at home, if there is a schism and misunderstanding. It is believed that the Queen of Heaven helps a married couple maintain good relationships and strengthen their 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.

World shrine lists

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:

Russian.
Bulgarian.
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 discern the prototype of the lily presented to the Queen of Heaven by the Archangel Gabriel. In the Historical Museum of Athens there is a 16th-century image in which the Son of God, rather than the Mother of God, holds the branch. And in the 17th century, icon painting 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 oldest copy of the “Unfading Color” icon was kept, in front of which the girls prayed to preserve spiritual purity and maintain bodily purity. Most likely, the list was brought to the 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 stands at full height, leaning 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 blossoming 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 Griboedov. 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 it in the temple of the town of Kadom (Ryazan region).
Samara region: an amazing incident occurred in the house of a Christian woman; a miraculous image of the “Unfading Color” appeared on the window glass, which disappears with the onset of night and appears at 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, the human soul becomes stale, its most positive features disappear. But after spiritual prayer, from the all-encompassing unconditional love of God and the Mother of God, the soul can be reborn to a new righteous life, just as miraculous branches are reborn in sacred icon painting.

Where should the icon be located in the house?

The main place in the house should be given to Jesus Christ and the Savior. For home interiors, there are no strict rules for the placement of icon paintings, as there are 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.

The icon where the Mother of God is depicted with a flower in her hand is called “Unfading Flower.” One interesting story in my life is connected with this icon. 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, which records 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 their wedding. So we can say that the icon was especially revered by girls of marriageable age. The oldest example of the saint is kept in the Alekseevsky Monastery (Moscow). It depicts the Infant of God in full growth, with his elbow resting on his mother’s shoulder. The flower branch was depicted in a picturesque vase and placed on the throne.

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

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

In the city of Kungur, Perm Territory, there was a miraculous image in which the Mother of God is depicted waist-deep, framed by flowers. A copy of the holy image is kept in 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;
about the right choice of a 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 answers sincere and pure prayer and helps young people find family harmony.

The significance of the Fadeless 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 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 is practically absent in Russian literature. The image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary appeared as a consequence of the development of the akathist cycle.

The history of the appearance of the icon

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

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

But in the name of the icon of the Mother of God, the words already refer to Mary herself. The erroneous interpretation of words led to the development of this type of iconography. The earliest prototype for the icon was an engraving written in Western style from the Venetian Bible called “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 revered by the Russian Orthodox Church even today. In honor of her, churches are being built in Moscow and the Moscow region at the address: the village of Rublevo, on V. Botylev Street, building number forty-five.

Icon “Fading Color”

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

The significance of this image is great for Orthodox believers.

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

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

She helps:

Those praying before the icon of the Mother of God get rid of vague and sinful feelings that have settled in the soul. All doubts and fears about the future life go away. Most often, young and unmarried people who come to the image have 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 the right choice and decision-making about your future spouse.
They pray for health, chastity and women's well-being.
They also pray for help in solving family problems and getting rid of all illnesses.
The prayer asks for help in finding the purpose and meaning of life.

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

Only a woman is capable of giving life to a new person. Therefore, 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 of obedience, patience and complacency for all the offended and humiliated. For everyone I ask for reason, mercy, a spirit of meekness, purity and righteousness.

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

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

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

Review

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

Katerina.

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

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

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

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

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 celebrate 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 in one hand, and with the other hand holds a sprig of a flower. 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 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 preserved youth and health for a long time.

How does prayer in front of the Unfading Color icon help?

Prayers in front of the Icon always add strength to a person, expel bad thoughts from 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 white flowers (tulips or similar ones) to the face of the Mother of God, where they lie until the Feast of Her Assumption. It is important to note that the flowers lie without water or sunlight for 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, there is no exact information about where it came from in 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 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.

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 miraculous power of the icon, and miracles occurred not only in ancient times, but also in the 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 acts, more and more people began to come 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 made peace.

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