Many icons, whether personalized, wedding or holiday icons, have their own history. And the tales about ancient images, which are considered miraculous, are especially amazing. One of these is Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”.

Where and when the image “Unfading Color” appeared in Rus' is not known for certain, but it is known where this name came from. This name comes from a chant in honor of the Mother of God. In addition, since ancient times the Mother of God has been compared to an unfading flower. In Rus', the icon appeared thanks to pilgrims in the 17th and 18th centuries. During that period, copies of the icon began to appear in various Russian monasteries.

This image, which is rarely seen in Russian churches, is dearly loved by believers. Prayer in front of the icon “Unfading Color” (“Fragrant Color”) helps people in the “invasion of sadness”, with the loss of loved ones, in a state of loneliness. Many healings of the sick are being done. In all these cases, the Mother of God helps to gain spiritual strength to overcome trials, continue life, and fulfill Christian duty. One of the most heartfelt prayers addressed to this icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is the akathist.

The meaning that has Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Unfading Color” very large. It itself symbolizes purity and innocence. Therefore, the girls pray before her precisely to preserve their righteousness and purity. She takes on special significance for young girls, as they ask her for help in choosing a future spouse. It is often also used as a wedding icon for the bride. She is blessed and given to her wife. During family life, the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” helps to cope with sorrows. Which may fall to the spouse.

Pure and fiery prayer to this icon helps in resolving difficult family problems. There is a popular belief that the “Fadeless Color” icon helps girls and women maintain beauty and youth. This icon is for begging for the beauty and love of the people around you.

In front of the icon Everlasting Color“Believers pray, first of all, to preserve themselves in purity and righteousness, as well as for admonition when choosing a future spouse.

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It is important to note here that if the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God became the patroness of family and marriage, then this is like a premarital standard!

This is precisely the meaning of this image, and therefore it becomes very important for women.

The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is my favorite, it is painted on silk and is very, very beautiful. Here is her picture.

On the icon itself “ Everlasting Color” and her numerous lists, the Most Holy Theotokos holds Her Divine Son on her right hand, and in Her left hand is a white lily flower.
This flower symbolically marks the unfading color of virginity and purity of the Most Pure Virgin, to Whom the Holy Church addresses itself: “You are the Root of virginity and the Unfading Flower of purity.”
Some lists show roses or other flowers instead of lilies.
Lists of icons “ Unfading color” (“Fragrant color”) became famous in Moscow, Voronezh and other places of the Russian Church.

D. Dallas cited as the earliest image of “Our Lady of the Unfading Color” an engraving, executed in Western style, in the Venetian edition of the Bible, called the New Treasury (1612, Greek), in which the Mother of God and Child stands on a month, growing from the head of Christ roses
The combination of Western elements with the theme of the Akathist, according to this author, gave a new iconography, which is a product of the iconographic creativity of the post-Byzantine era.He indicated early Orthodox icon paintings of the Mother of God with flowers.
The first of them dates back to around 1700 and represents a contamination of the iconography of “Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring” and “Our Lady of the Unfading Flower”.
Among the iconographic sources of this type of icon of the Mother of God, the author names the Catholic “Rosencranzmadonna”.

They have one obligatory detail - flowers, which are placed in flowerpots or woven into garlands, decorate flourishing wands or are a pedestal on which Christ and the Mother of God are depicted.
Sometimes these icons have lengthy inscriptions.
Most often, Mary and the Child on the icons of “Our Lady of the Unfading Color” are dressed in royal clothes.
The appearance of this image was preceded by individual Orthodox icons of the Mother of God, in which either Christ or the Mother of God are holding a flower in their hands.

When clarifying the question of the origin of the icon “” Everlasting Color“If you are only guided by data from Orthodox websites or books like “Orthodox calendar for...”, then the following picture emerges.
1. They claim that the origin of the “Unfading Flower” icon is connected with Athos: immortal flowers, considered a symbol of purity, grew on the slopes of the Holy Mountain.
But then why do the vast majority of icons belonging to the type under study depict lilies?
The appearance of the icon itself in the Moscow kingdom dates back to the 17th – 18th centuries. And the icon obviously got there through pilgrims.
It has also been established that the most ancient image belonging to the type of icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” mentioned in historical documents dates back to the 18th century and that it was located, appears in the Moscow St. Alexis Monastery, which stood on the site of the later built Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This image itself has not survived, but numerous copies of it – “lists” – have remained. But they still appealed because, from an artistic point of view, this icon stood out from the background of other icons of the Mother of God with its attractiveness.

The icons of “Our Lady of the Unfading Color” are varied, sometimes completely dissimilar to each other, as, indeed, are some other iconographies of late origin.
They have one obligatory detail - flowers, which are placed in flowerpots or woven into garlands, decorate flourishing wands or are a pedestal on which Christ and the Mother of God are depicted. The oldest and most revered Russian icon of the Mother of God “ Everlasting Color” became famous in the Moscow Alekseevsky nunnery.
Its first mention dates back to 1757, but most likely it was there before.
The icon of the Alekseevsky Monastery had complex iconography:
In the foreground of the icon was a throne with a jug and a flower branch; to the left (from the Mother of God) is the Infant of God in full height, barefoot, with his right hand He leans on the left shoulder of the Mother of God, in His left hand is a scepter; The head of the Mother of God is bowed towards the Baby, on Her head, not covered with maforia, there is a crown, in her right hand there is a branch entwined with a ribbon with the inscription: “Unfading Flower!
The celebration of this image took place on April 3, old style (April 16, new style)

“Fadeless color” – a female icon for youth and beauty

The Infant Christ is represented standing on a throne, in some icons covered with a veil with the Calvary cross.

But the complex composition of the icon “Our Lady of the Unfading Color” practically disappears over time.
According to the legend recorded in the work of F. Lovtsov, the icon “Our Lady of the Unfading Flower” was brought from Athos to church parishioner Malevsky-Malevich in 1865 and was revered as miraculous.

From this icon a copy was made for the Church of the Assumption in Mogiltsy. The iconography of the miraculous image was significantly different from the Alekseevskaya shrine, widely known by that time.
According to Lovtsov’s description, in it Mary sits on a throne, with her right hand supporting the Baby standing on a flower that grows from under the feet of the Mother of God.
The Baby has an orb in his right hand, his left hand is pressed to his chest. Mary has lilies in her right hand. Both of them are represented in royal crowns. Angels hold the crown over the Mother of God. The celebration of the icon took place on December 31.
The exact iconographic analogy of this miraculous image is an icon of the first third of the 19th century from the Central Museum. Andrey Rublev.

In the writings of some authors, the appearance of the iconography “Our Lady of the Unfading Flower” was associated with a miracle from the flower of the Mother of God, called “the unfading flower.”
But there is no mention of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” on Athos either in the works of the popular spiritual writer Svyatogorets, in which there are entire passages dedicated to the Mother of God flowers, or in numerous Russian publications dedicated to Athos shrines.
In 1864, shortly before the icon of the Church of the Assumption on Mogiltsy appeared in Moscow, a miracle of healing from the Mother of God flower occurred, which is reported in detail in the “Tale of the Miracles of the Mother of God that Recently Performed on Holy Mount Athos” published by the Russian Panteleimon Monastery by the monk Meletia.
This event, coupled with popular descriptions of pilgrims’ journeys to Athos, most likely served as the impetus for explaining the name of the icon in connection with the Mother of God’s unfading flowers and for the greater popularity of this iconography in the 19th century.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon “Fadeless Color”

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.

“Fadeless color” – a female icon for youth and beauty

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.

BONUS: Prayer ritual for beauty with the icon “Fading Color”

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In front of the icon “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 upon 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 being under the shadow of the Church, or at home. In any case, it will have meaning and will be effective if you handle it with love and faith. Otherwise, the Most Holy Theotokos will not be able to hear you and the problems will remain unresolved.

Prayer for the icon “Unfading Color”

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

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

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

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

Prayer to save the family

There are many prayer words with which Orthodox Christians address the Mother of God in front of the “Unfading Color” icon. Everyone strives to achieve something different. 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.

The most revered image of the Mother of God is the “Unfading Color” icon. The creation of this image dates back to the 17th century on Mount Athos; the image was based on the writings of Byzantine akathists, in which the Mother of God and the Child are compared to fragrant and unfading flowers.

The Mother of God, depicted on the icon “Unfading Flower” and on its copies, holds Her Son on her right hand, and with her left hand She squeezes a lily flower. Lily - symbolizes the purity of the Most Pure Mother of God and unfading childhood.

This image is one of the most ancient icons; Orthodox Christians wore it on their chests and believed in the miraculous powers emanating from the image of the Mother of God and her Son Jesus. Prayers offered to this icon protected childhood and chastity, and helped preserve a pure and righteous life.

Pure and sincere prayer addressed to the image helps in resolving many family problems and choosing a betrothed. There is a belief that the “Unfading Color” icon allows women to preserve their beauty and prolong their youth. This miraculous icon helped in the healing of many sick people.

There is another spelling of the icon of the Mother of God with a similar name, where the face of the Most Pure Mother of God with the Child on her lap, whose gaze is turned to the left shoulder of the Mother.

She looks with tenderness and love at Her Son, who holds a flower in his left palm. The flower also symbolically symbolizes the never-fading childhood and purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The “Unfading Flower” icon is glorified in many cities and Russian Churches. The celebration in honor of the “Eternal Flower” icon takes place on April 16. Orthodox Christians pray for happiness in the family, for spiritual purity, for the preservation of a righteous life.

The Mother of God helps to gain strength to overcome difficult life trials and gives faith in the healing of the sick and weak.

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?

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 calm, joy, and love. It seems that one glance at the enchanting image is enough for sadness to subside, worries to dissipate, and the soul to calm down.

What does the image help with:

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

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

What to pray for

The main thing when reading a prayer is sincerity and faith. Sincere prayer to the Mother of God helps dispel fears and anxieties. The rebellious seeking soul calms down and becomes peaceful. Before the image, you need to pray for the expulsion of dark thoughts, peace of mind, ask the Mother of God for understanding, 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 trends in icon painting of the Virgin Mary have emerged:

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

Each direction has its own traditions. Flowers on copies can be found not only white, but pink and even red. But in all the images one can 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, iconography was created in Belarus with royal crowns on the heads of the Mother of God and the Child. It is assumed that it was from this copy that the tradition of painting the Infant God and the Mother of God with crowns on their heads arose, which does not contradict the principles of Christian icon painting.

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

Moscow lists

In pre-revolutionary Russia there was a Moscow monastery for unmarried girls, it was called Alekseevsky. It was there that the 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 blooming lily on which stands the Son of God. The mother supports the baby with one hand, holds a white branch with the other, and Angels hover above her head. The Church of the Assumption was mentioned in their works by Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Griboyedov. The church has now been revived and houses a modern copy of "The Unfading Color" since the ancient copy disappeared under Soviet rule.

Where can you see "Eternal Color"

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

• Russia, Moscow: Krasnoye Selo, St. Alekseevsky Monastery (the original was located here until 1757).
• Voronezh: Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The image was revered and loved by Seraphim of Sarov, who prayed to him in the temple of the town of Kadom (Ryazan region).
• Samara region: an amazing incident occurred in the house of a Christian woman; 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 others 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 in the house should the icon be located?

The main place in the house should be given to Jesus Christ and the Savior. For home 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.