The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” is not very often found in Russian churches today. But everyone who sees it, at first sight, is attracted by its unearthly purity and tenderness. Its main feature is the image of the Virgin Mary holding the Divine Infant in one hand and a beautiful flower in the other. Most often it is a white lily.

According to legend, it was once upon a time that Archangel Gabriel presented it to the Mother of God as a sign of the good news that she would become the Mother of God himself. This flower is of utmost importance in the symbolism of the “Unfading Flower” icon, denoting the deep spiritual purity of the Mother of God, who was placed by the Lord above even the disembodied Angels.

The history and symbolism of the icon

The icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” or, according to the second name, “Fragrant Flower” first appeared in the 17th century in Greece. Her unusual appearance arose as the embodiment in colors of the words of the Akathist - a solemn chant read in honor of the Mother of God. In it, the Most Pure Virgin is called “the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity.”

The appearance of the “Unfading Flower” icon was influenced by the tradition of painting the Orthodox icon “Praise to the Mother of God,” the earliest Russian copy of which dates back to the 14th century. This was the first icon created on the basis of the ancient akathist dedicated to the Mother of God.

The reason for its creation was the miraculous deliverance of Constantinople from the enemy invasion through the mediation of the Mother of God. On the icon, the Prophets who once spoke about the birth of the Virgin Mary are written with the symbols that served as her prototype. So the Prophet Aaron holds a rod, on the top of which you can see a wonderful flower.

This image is associated with the ancient tradition of the Church. It says that once upon a time God, through the prophet Moses, determined only the descendants of the clan of Aaron to be Old Testament priests. But later, representatives of other clans began to protest, also laying claim to the honor of the priesthood. Then, in order to stop the strife, it was decided to get an answer from above. For this purpose, the rods of representatives of the twelve tribes of the Jewish people were left in the Jewish temple.

After some time, it was discovered that the eleven wands remained unchanged. But on the rod of the descendants of Levi, on which the name of his grandson, Aaron, was written, an almond flower appeared. Moreover, it did not dry out and, later, produced fruit. This phenomenon finally convinced everyone of the chosenness of the family that served in the temple of Jerusalem.

In the Christian tradition, the miracle with Aaron's rod is considered as follows. The rod itself, blooming with a fragrant flower, is a symbol of the pure and immaculate Virgin Mary. And the fruit that appeared on it is the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Therefore, on the icon “Praise to the Mother of God” they sometimes began to depict the Mother of God with a flower branch in her hands.

Thus, the authors of the “Unfading Color” icon, having borrowed this version of the image, isolated it into an independent iconographic plot. Its development was also influenced by the process of literal embodiment in Christian painting of the words of various liturgical books and hymns, especially the thanksgiving canon of Joseph the Songwriter, written in the 9th century. In them, the appearance of the Mother of God is shown by prototype symbols:

• a source that gives life;
• lily;
• star;
• rose;
• the sun;
• olive branch;
• beautiful garden and many others.

Almost all of these meanings, somewhat earlier, began to be displayed in Catholic painting. The 15th-16th centuries is the time when special compositions appeared there in the form of allegories called “Concepcio immaculata”, which means “Immaculate Conception”, which in the form of engravings began to be included in prayer collections. Probably, these engravings also influenced the emergence of the Greek version of the “Unfading Color” icon.

Variety of images of the “Fadeless Color” icon

It is believed that the first such icon was most likely painted in Constantinople. Then, despite the Turkish yoke, more and more new variants began to appear in Greece. She was especially revered in Thessaloniki. One of the copies of the “Unfading Flower” icon was created on Mount Athos and, around the end of the 17th century, brought to Russia.

In the 18th century, both in Greece and Russia, many other versions of the icon appeared, different from the first image. This century, known for its love of ostentation and multiple figures, endowed the image with a large number of new details. Crowns or crowns appear on the heads of Christ and his Mother. The rose that appears in the hands of the Divine Infant often becomes a flower of purity.

Sometimes graceful branches or even entire garlands of flowers are depicted around the figure of the Virgin Mary, placed in beautiful flowerpots, and turned into pedestals.

Very often the Virgin Mary holds a scepter covered with the most beautiful flowers. Many symbols appear around her: a candle, a tree of paradise, a censer, a staircase leading from earth to heaven, royal chambers, the moon, and so on. They seem to clearly demonstrate the feelings of admiration and praise contained in the words of Christian hymnography.

Here we see some influence of the Catholic tradition with its splendor of forms and love of detail, which was not initially characteristic of Orthodox icon painting.

Lists of the icon “Fadeless Color” glorified in Russia

Moscow shrines

In pre-revolutionary Russia, several revered copies of the “Fadeless Flower” icon are known. One of the most ancient was kept in the Alekseevsky Monastery in Moscow. This was the first monastery in the city intended for unmarried girls. Therefore, the icon was in its place here, because one of the main requests that are addressed to this image is a prayer for the preservation of the purity of soul and body.

The Alekseevsky list was apparently brought to Russia at the end of the 17th century, since a copy of it made in 1691 is known. It was significantly different from the now widespread image. The Infant of God stood on it at full height, leaning his bent arm on the shoulder of the Virgin Mary. The right hand of the Mother of God was wrapped in a ribbon on which the name of the icon was inscribed. A beautiful flower branch was placed on the throne, in a special jug.

Another famous Moscow copy of the icon was in the Assumption Church in Mogiltsy. In it, Christ, supported by the Mother of God, stands on a beautiful flower growing from the lower part of the image. The Mother of God has a white lily in her hand, and above her head are Angels crowning her with a royal crown. This temple, erected in the very center of the capital, is mentioned in the works of Russian classics: L. Tolstoy, F. Dostoevsky and A. Griboyedov. Today it has been revived again, but the miraculous icon disappeared under Soviet rule, and now a modern copy of it has appeared in the church.

Miraculous icons from the outback

The Russian province was also not left without a wonderful image. In a small monastery in the town of Kadom, Ryazan province, a special list became famous. On it, near the head of Christ, one could see a half-length image of John the Baptist.

The history of the icon is unusual. It was brought as a gift to the monastery by the Bogdanov family. The head of the family brought the image from Georgia. The icon accompanied him everywhere and saved him more than once during military campaigns: both when crossing the stormy Terek, and from the bullets of the Circassian cavalry. And most importantly, the image, according to the recollections of old-timers, was already in the temple, very revered by the great Russian Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

The list located in the city of Kungur, Perm Territory, was also especially revered by parishioners. Its peculiarity was the half-length image of the Virgin Mary, as if growing from a magnificent flower garland. A copy of it is kept today in the Tretyakov Gallery.

In 19th-century icons, the plurality of elements tends to disappear. Mary is most often depicted with a modest branch or even a single flower in her hand. Lush garlands of flowers shimmering with a richness of colors are not visible in such images. Their authors try to return to more expressive examples of the Middle Ages, trying to focus on the main thing - the figures and faces of the Mother of God and Christ.

There is no information about the existence of churches dedicated to this image in Russia before 1917. After the end of the persecution of the church in our country, four churches were built in his honor (all of them are in Moscow and the Moscow region) and two chapels.

Since 1998, such a church began to be built for the first time in the village of Rublevo near Moscow. The temple of the “Unfading Flower” icon is located on the banks of the Moscow River, from which there are beautiful views of its picturesque surroundings. The church project was created by a descendant of the famous family of Russian artists - architect and musician Nikolai Vasnetsov.

The lower church was consecrated in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. The church operates Sunday schools for children and adults, where you can get acquainted not only with the basics of Orthodoxy, but also with the symbolism of the temple of the “Unfading Color” icon, and find out what people pray to this icon for.

By 2012, in the best traditions of Russian northern wooden architecture, a small temple of the “Unfading Flower” icon was built in the village of Sumarokovo, Ruzsky district.

The celebration of the icon took place in Russia on April 3 and December 31 according to the Julian calendar. Currently, it is usually only April 3, or, accordingly, April 16 according to the new style.

How does the “Fadeless Color” icon help?

The icon is popular, first of all, among young girls and boys, since, according to ancient tradition, they pray to it for the preservation of girlish and youthful purity and chastity, protection from temptations, which are so common in the modern world. Also, before the image of the “Unfading Flower”, a prayer is made for marriage or marriage, so that the Mother of God sends a worthy and decent husband or wife. Older people ask before the image for help in the fight against spiritual and carnal passions. In addition, it helps to overcome adversity and misunderstanding in family life.

There is a wonderful akathist to the “Unfading Color” icon, praising the Virgin Mary in the most sublime terms. In it, the Mother of God is called the “inexhaustible source of love” and immortality.

Orthodox hymnography also created a troparion and prayer to the “Unfading Color” icon, which are read in front of the image by everyone who has a request to the Mother of God or wants to glorify her and thank her for her help.

Prayer for marriage to the Unfading Color icon

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

Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer, O Lady and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, Your servants, for our murmuring.

Be our Mother and Patroness, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection.Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins.O Mother Mary, our all-offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession.Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against us.

O Mother of our Lord Creator!You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts.Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth.

By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we will be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and may be justified by Your wonderful intercession at the terrible judgment of Your Son.To him we give glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".

How to pray to an icon correctly

First prayer:
“To my Queen, to my hope, to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and the strange, to the Representative, to the sorrowing, to Joy, to the offended to the Patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow; help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as if by will: for I have no other help except You, no other intercessor, no good comforter, except You, O Mother of God, for may we preserve and cover forever and ever. Amen".

Second prayer:
“Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer. Mistress and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, for our murmuring. Be our Mother and Protectress, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection. Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins.
Oh, Mother Mary, our most offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession. Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who retaliate against us. O Mother of our Lord Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth. By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we 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:
“Rejoice, Bride of God, secret rod, blossoming unfading color, rejoice, Lady, with Her we are filled with joy and inherit life.”

The “Unfading Color” icon is considered one of the most beautiful images of the Mother of God. The name “Fadeless Color” comes from the immortal flowers, which were considered a symbol of purity. These flowers grew on the slopes of Holy Mount Athos.

There are several options for this icon, but flowers are a mandatory attribute. One of these icons depicts the Mother of God holding the infant Christ on her left hand, and holding white lilies in her right hand, sometimes roses or other flowers are depicted. In any case, the flowers symbolize the purity and immaculateness of Mary, to whom the Holy Church addresses: “Thou art the Root of virginity and the Unfading Flower of purity.” Both the Virgin Mary and the baby are depicted in royal robes decorated with gold. It is lilies that are presented by the Archangel Gabriel on the day of the Annunciation.

Prayer in front of such an icon helps people with family troubles, feelings of loneliness or loss of loved ones, and helps to preserve righteousness. If you pray fervently, the Mother of God will help you overcome all adversity and give you strength and courage. The most heartfelt prayer is considered

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Unfading 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.

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.

The Queen of God most quickly 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

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.

Only today + present

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.

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Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Unfading Color”

In the icon, the Most Holy Theotokos holds Her Divine Son in 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.” Copies of this icon became famous in Moscow, Voronezh and other places of the Russian Church.

Kontakion 1

Oh, Most Blessed Virgin Mary, joy and refuge for all Christians: worshiping Your Most Pure Image, we sing a song of praise to You, we offer You our needs, grief and tears. You, oh, our meek Intercessor, all our earthly sorrows and sorrows are close to You, accept our sighs in prayers, help us and save us from troubles, tirelessly and with tenderness we call to You: Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Ikos 1

Like God's blessing and like a heavenly gift, the long-awaited one, requested by unceasing prayer from God, was sent down to you, O Theotokos, by your righteous and much-joyed parent - Joachim and Anna. But you, O God-chosen Youth, left your parental womb and, like an unquenchable lamp of faith, like a fragrant censer, you appeared in humility at the threshold of the Lord, and the power of the Most High lifted you up to the very entrance, led you into the Holy of Holies and opened all the secrets of heaven. Oh, Most Merciful Virgin Mary! Open our hearts to Your praise and lift up our prayer to Your Son and our God, let us call You this: Rejoice, purity unattainable and meekness ineffable; Rejoice, exalted in Your humility. Rejoice, inexhaustible source of love; Rejoice, vessel chosen by God. Rejoice, our zealous Intercessor. Rejoice, Mother of God, unfading color.

Kontakion 2

Oh, Most Holy Virgin Mary, we are bowed down with sinful thoughts and cold deeds, our heart is enveloped in the cold of life, our eyes are burdened with sinful sleep. But You, O Unfading Flower, washing us with the morning dew, warm us with the sun of love and mercy. Raise us, O Lady, from the dust of the earth to the Lord, so that we may offer Him this humble prayer of ours and cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The Archangel Gabriel was sent quickly from God to the city of Galilee, Nazareth, and brought to Thee, O Most Pure Virgin, the holy gospel, saying: “Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with Thee! You have found grace from God.” But we, who are unworthy of seeing such greatness, cry out in humility of heart: Rejoice, O full of grace among women; Rejoice, thou who has found grace from God and is even more exalted as an angel. Rejoice, for you have conceived a Son, who will inherit the throne of David, His father; Rejoice, you who kindled the unquenchable Light in the darkness of hearts. Rejoice, thou who openest the door of eternal happiness to us. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 3

We are troubled in sorrow, we spend our days in the vanity and sadness of our lives. But you, O Blessed One, illuminate our souls with Your gospel, fill our hearts with humility. Let us bow our heads and say: “Behold, servants of the Lord, may it be done to us according to Your will!” To You, O Unfading Flower, and to You who was born, we sing all the time: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

In the days of thyself Mariam flowed into the city of Judah, and into the house of Zechariah, and kissed Elizabeth. And hearing Elizabeth kiss Mary, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out with a great voice, saying: “Where does this come from to me, so that the Mother of My Lord may come to me!” Oh, Most Pure Virgin! Visit us, the weak and wretched, and lift up our sighs like incense smoke to the throne of the Most High, so that from the fullness of a grateful heart we sing to you: Rejoice, for the Lord has looked upon the humility of His servant; Rejoice, for all your birth will please You. Rejoice, for You have created greatness, the Mighty One; Rejoice, Source of life and immortality. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 4

Oh, the Unfading Flower! Oh, fragrant beauty! Visit us in our sorrowful earthly vale, beg Your Son to save us from all trouble and sorrow, anger and sighing, and send us peace into our hearts; May He grant us, as we ask Him, according to our needs, and cover us with His inexhaustible mercy. We, expecting Your all-powerful intercession, magnify our Lord with our souls and cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

As a shepherd guarding the night watch, the Angel of the Lord brought great joy with good news: for Christ the Lord was born in the city of David, Bethlehem, and was laid in a manger. Oh, Most Pure Mother, who gave birth to Your First-born Son, receive from us the following: Rejoice, Virgin Mother of God, for through You the world has risen, the Light of reason unstoppable;
Rejoice, star, showing us the way in the darkness. Rejoice, Dawn, mysterious day; Rejoice, rebirth of our souls. Rejoice, faithful refuge and quick Helper in sorrows; Rejoice, Lily of Paradise. Rejoice, all-singing Virgin; Rejoice, meek Dove, who gave birth to the Merciful. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 5

Behold, the King of the world is coming: Behold, the secret Sacrifice is being accomplished; The angels sing in heaven: “Glory to God in the highest!” The Savior of the world is born. Christ comes - a great Divine mystery. God has appeared in the flesh, and we, unworthy servants, having put aside all worldly cares, with the Angels we glorify God in passion and joy, like shepherds and like wolves, we worship You, O Mother of God, and we constantly call to Your Divine Son: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Behold, righteous Simeon came in spirit to the church and received the Child Jesus into his arms, and blessed God, and said: “Now dost thou let thy servant go, O Master, according to thy word, in peace!” And for you, O Mother Mary, a weapon will pierce your soul, as the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. We, having been saved by You, cry out: Rejoice, Most Blessed One, who brings great sorrow into joy; Rejoice, eternal treasure of Mother's love and tenderness. Rejoice, Mother of our God, who endured the greatest joy and the greatest sorrow for Her Son; Hail, Queen of Peace. Rejoice, Hope and Consolation for those who cry. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 6

Oh, Offering Mother Mary! The sea of ​​life rises with storm and anger, deep abysses have opened up and are ready to swallow us: our heart trembles, our joy is darkened, but You, O Meek and Merciful One, beseech Your Son; may he help us, the sorrowful and the orphaned, in our sorrows; may he tame the rebellious waves of sinful passions; may he turn away all misfortune and danger from us; may He teach us how to keep His eternal righteousness. And at the end of our life, show us a quiet haven and make us worthy to cry out with Simeon the God-Receiver: “Now do you let go of your servant, Master!” Help us, O Unfading Flower! Do not leave us and save those who call to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

As a child, he grew stronger and stronger in spirit and grace; and You, O His Mother, with love composed all the verbs about the Son in Your heart. Sorrowful and sad, seeking Him both in the squad, and among relatives and acquaintances, always returning from the festival of Jerusalem and having found Him with great joy, sitting in the church among the teachers, who marveled and were horrified at His Divine Mind. Oh, our Most Pure Meekness! Oh, Sweetest heart, warming the whole world with love! Hear us, crying out to You like this: Rejoice, you who increased the Divine Son with love. Rejoice, sweetest Heart, warming our cold souls with love. Rejoice, wise Leader of parental hearts; Rejoice, unbreakable wall for our children and youth. Rejoice, Protector and Refuge for the orphaned and helpless in sorrow; Rejoice, Guardian of chastity and virginity. Rejoice, you who show the honest and right path to meek men; Rejoice, softening of evil hearts. Rejoice, tenderness of the good. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 7

"Child! What will you do for us? - So you asked His Son - Jesus and wondered; seeing Him sitting in the temple in the midst of the proud and superstitious high priests of the Jews, the Divine Mind, revealing the Divine revelation to them. Oh, descend, O All-Blessed Mother, also to our children: pray for them to Your Son and our God, that the Light of true knowledge of God will reveal to them; cover them with the edge of Your fragrant cover; Enlighten our sons and daughters with the light of reason; strengthen their physical and mental strength; keep them in the passion of God, in obedience to parents and in purity of soul, grant them to grow to the glory of God and to the happiness of the earth father in ours. O Lamp of unquenchable love, anoint them with the oil of Thy mercy; warm them with the meekness of Your eyes; cover them with the robe of His Motherhood. Oh, the Unfading Flower! With strong faith, unshakable hope and great contrition of heart, falling at Your feet, we unceasingly cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Warm intercessor for an adulterous and sinful race! According to your command, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, your Son and our God made the firstfruits a sign and turned water into wine. Ask, O Mother of God, and now Your Son, may he perform a miracle on us, may he transform our sorrowful days, entwined with lies, resentment and tears, into the joy of rebirth, into the happiness of love and truth; May the beginning of the Divine Light strengthen in us - the pure source of the Spirit - the Holy God, the Triune. Let all that is evil and unclean be cast out from our hearts. Oh, unattainable Purity and Ineffable Mercy! Incline Your ear to our prayer and make us worthy to call you: Rejoice, radiant Light of love and forgiveness; Rejoice, Divine vessel of eternal bliss. Rejoice, zealous for all of us before the Lord to the Prayer Book; Rejoice, you who quickly bring our needs to the throne of God. Rejoice, for according to Your word Your Son performs signs, giving joy to man. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 8

There is no love, truth has disappeared, lies and enmity, anger and hatred are sown in the human heart. Brother rebels against brother, children against parents, and parents against children. Oh, Merciful God! Who has desecrated Your wondrous harvest, who is all the tares and thistles among the wheat? Your anger is righteous, even the ax is at the root, but behold, Your Mother, the zealous Intercessor of the world, falls to You. Oh, greatest Love and most fragrant heart! Turn away from us the wrath of God, for our sins, righteously moved against us; strengthen those who love us, so that neither persecution nor cruel times will shake them; bring to reason those who hate us and those who harm us; forgive our enemies who do not know what they are doing, soften their angry heart and illuminate their darkness with the light of Christ’s love, and transform their anger and hatred into shame and repentance. Oh, fragrant flower! Our vessels are empty, we do not have the oil of good works, and the lamps of our faith are extinguished by the storm of life. Have mercy on us: fill our hearts with the joy of pure joys, renew us spiritually, and with grateful lips we continually sing to God with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All having been in the lower and the Highest, he did not retreat in any way, the Divine Teacher; He healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, filled the whole world with love, Meek Sufferer! Se visishi, nailed to the cross among the evildoers; and all the people, standing, cursed at You, and with them the princes and warriors. And You, O sorrowful Mother, bowed your head at the cross of Your Son, and the weapon passed through Your Mother’s heart. We, honoring the sorrows of Your Mother’s heart, from the depths of our souls cry out to Ty: Rejoice, sweetest Virgin Mary, for Your sorrow will be turned into joy and no one will take this joy from You; Rejoice, who experienced the greatest torment, who in vain experienced Your Son, bleeding on the cross, humiliated, crucified, spat upon. Rejoice, for you have been called Queen of Peace and have sat at the right hand of the throne of Your Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; Rejoice, for in the sorrow of Your heart, You washed away the sorrow of the whole world and the sins of all people with tears. Rejoice, Meek One, Your Son will rise again, having trampled down the sting of death, and the Light of His resurrection will shine forever; Rejoice, Mother of God, heavenly image of purity and goodness. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 9

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, then have eternal life. And behold, ungrateful and malicious people, like a villain, nailed Him to the Cross. We, seeing such a thing, are seized with horror and crying out: God, be merciful to us sinners! For our sins, we endure terrible torment. Oh, Sorrowful Mother, do not turn Your face away from us, break our sinful bonds, cleanse our hearts from the passions and lusts of the evil one; Yes, in spiritual burning, as a light of repentance, let us worship before the cross of Your Divine Son, constantly praying with the prudent thief: Remember us, Lord, in Your Kingdom! Through Your prayers, Mother of God, straighten our steps to do the commandments of the Lord; wash us from sin, make us better, rise to the Radiant Unstoppable Light, let us call to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

“It’s done! Father, I commend My Spirit into Your hands.” Oh, Most Pure Mother! Do you hear how the earth trembles with sadness, its chest disintegrates, coffins are opened, the dead rise and the church veil is torn? You see, how great darkness has covered the earth and people, in fear and trembling, are beating their hearts, saying: “Truly this is the Son of God!” We marvel at such miracles and truly confess Thy Son of God, truly crying out to Thee: Rejoice, Mother of God, behold, all the words that Thou hast composed in Thy heart have been accomplished; Rejoice, Blessed Virgin, Unfading Dawn, Unfading Day, Golden Light. Rejoice, Dawn of the unflickering Light of the non-evening; Rejoice, Sanctuary of great mystery. Rejoice, Source of our immortality; Rejoice, Giver of Divine goodness. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 10

Let all human flesh remain silent, and let it stand with fear and trembling, and let it think of nothing earthly within itself. Behold, a great sacrifice is made for the sins of the world, behold, the Savior of the world is placed in a new tomb by the noble Joseph and wrapped in a clean shroud. With His soul He ascends into hell to destroy the eternal faiths and bring to freedom from time immemorial those who have been bound: from His tomb He proclaims to His mother: “Do not mourn Me, Mother, when you see in the tomb, Whom You have given birth to a Son: for I will arise and be glorified, and will be ascended from with glory like God, magnifying You with faith and love.” Let us put aside everything earthly and vain, and with a pure heart let us fall to the throne of the King of Glory, constantly crying out: Holy. Holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! O Mother of our salvation! Make us also partakers of the bright Resurrection of Your Son to eternal bliss, so that we call to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

One day on the Sabbath, a woman came very early to the tomb, carrying aromas, and behold, when they came, they saw: the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, and the Body of the Lord Jesus was gone. The angel, shining brightly towards them, said: “Oh, wives! Do not be afraid and do not look for the living with the dead: Christ is risen, just as he said!” Teach you, O Lady, to invite everyone: Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary and the river again; Rejoice, Thy Son is risen three days from the grave. Rejoice, for the whole earth rejoices and all the angels sing in heaven: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to us all and to those in the tombs!”; Rejoice, Giver of eternal and endless life. Rejoice, for through Your love and Your prayers we have been delivered from eternal darkness; Rejoice, for through You you brought us a bright holiday. Rejoice, for through You a bright day has come for us, on which we will embrace each other, forgive all by the resurrection, we will rejoice and rejoice with eternal joy. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 11

Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killed the prophets! Your grave crime has been forgiven by the Lord, and the unsetting Sun of righteousness has risen over the world. Cleanse our souls too, Meek Virgin! Purify our senses, so that we may see Christ emerging from the tomb; Dress us in wedding garments, so that we may joyfully enter the decorated chamber of Christ, singing to Him who has risen: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

When the hour of Your departure to God approached, O Virgin Mary, the angel of the Lord Gabriel, shining brightly, appeared before You, handing You the bright, unfading lily of paradise, and behold, You accepted the will of the Lord with humility and joy and quietly went to Your Divine Son . Oh, our tireless prayer book! Oh, Unfading Color of the bright heavenly paradise! Send us also, O Merciful One, a quiet and painless departure from this vale of weeping, sighing and sorrow, so that we may cry out to You like this: Rejoice, ascended to Heaven by Your Son, Queen of Heaven; Rejoice, our quick and faithful Helper and Intercessor before Him. Rejoice, All-Singing Virgin, for Your name unfadingly shines and is blessed from generation to generation; Rejoice, our safe and quiet refuge in the storms of life. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 12

Oh, our terrible last hour! Our hearts and all our hearts tremble whenever we think about him! Why should we leave our near and dear ones orphaned? How shall we go, unwashed, in the midst of darkness and the shadow of mortals, to a new life? How will we appear at the Last Judgment of the Creator and God? O our Comforter! O our good Helper! Help us, when this comes, place your loving Mother’s hand on our forehead, so that our suffering will subside and our soul will be reborn, pacify the melancholy of our separation from this world, and may the light of eternal truth shine before our eyes. Oh, Most Pure Mother! We hope in You, we pray to You and cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Oh, my soul, my soul! Rise up, what are you writing off? The end is approaching! Why are you rich in sins? Why aren't you getting ready? The Lord is at the door, where do you place your hope? What answer will you say to the Lord, when He comes - the terrible Judge to judge the earth; Do not weigh this hour or this day, from the edge of the earth to the edge the Arkhangelsk trumpet sounds; and from the dead all the nations are raised and gathered together. And behold, the Son of Man comes to the clouds with His power in all His glory. Where are our good deeds? Where is the mercy? Where is Love? Our inexhaustible multitude of sins has covered the sky. Oh, All-Merciful Mother of God! On this terrible day, appear to us and be an Intercessor for us before Your Son. We rely on You alone, do not forsake us sinners. Be our protection and strengthening, with warm faith and undoubted hope we fall before Your Most Pure Image and with tears we call this: Rejoice, lightning illuminating our darkness; Rejoice, you who intercede for us at the terrible judgment of Christ. Rejoice, covering the whole world from troubles and sorrows with Your omophorion; Rejoice, for you have adopted this world as a son of the One Mother. Rejoice, for you alone have been given the ineffable grace to pray for us; Rejoice, Thou who preparest eternal joy for all Thy faithful children. Rejoice, fragrant with your Unfading Flower among us sinners forever. Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.

Kontakion 13

Oh, Unfading Flower! Oh, All-Singing Mother Mary, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word! Accept our present offering and deliver us all from every misfortune. Warm us with Motherly love and rejoice us with eternal joy. Save us from eternal torment through unceasing prayer to Your Son and grant us, O Queen, the heavenly Kingdom as we cry out for You: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

The meaning and history of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading Color”

The history of the origin of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is touching and at the same time majestic. For a long time, on the island of Kefalonia, located near Athos, a very beautiful and largest island in the Ionian Sea, there is a tradition - it is preserved even now: on the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, white flowers are brought here, similar to the lily with which the archangel appeared in the hand of the Most Pure One. Gabriel, to reveal to Her the will of God about Her. Flowers are reverently and carefully placed under the icon case, to Her face, and there they remain until the very holiday of Her Assumption without water and without sunlight. But a miracle happens: after almost five months, their stems, dried out and in the twilight, incredibly fill with moisture, come to life, new buds appear instead of dried inflorescences and bloom into white lush flowers - here it is, “unfading color”!

Presumably, it was this wonderful tradition that inspired the Athonite monks to paint a unique image, which in turn gave birth to many iconographic versions, very different from each other, but in type going back to Hodegetria the Guide. According to other sources, the first appearance of this image occurred in Constantinople, but fewer researchers of the diverse iconography of the “Unfading Color” are inclined to believe this.

But, probably, in addition to the miraculous resurrection of dried flowers near the image of the Mother of God on the island of Kefalonia, the inspirational basis for the visual embodiment of the indispensable and distinctive attribute of the icon “Unfading Flower” were epithets from the texts of divine services, where the Most Pure One was compared to a flower - “unfading, fragrant.” From the second epithet arose another common list - “fragrant color”, its first appearance is considered to be later. The epithet “unfading” is taken from the “Canon of Gratefulness to the Most Holy Theotokos” by Joseph the Songwriter. The canon became part of the current liturgical literary collections of the Orthodox Church, and its spiritually sublime content, admiring and touching the soul with sincere love for the Intercessor, became the source for painting a new icon.

The Monk Joseph the Songwriter created many canons that have been preserved in the prayer heritage of Russian Orthodoxy. As nun Ignatius writes about him in the article “Church Songwriters” (chapter “The Liturgical Heritage of St. Joseph the Songwriter”): “The canons of St. Joseph are distinguished by the thoughtfulness of the images that he used as the basis for each of his works, exceptional elegance of expression, and often a special form of presentation of that idea , which he wants to emphasize in canon e. Working on the form, the holy Songwriter often turned to those stylistic techniques that were developed by ancient Greek rhetoric.”

It is believed that from the first Athos list, which spread in the Orthodox world, three main ones arose - Greek, Russian, Bulgarian. From them, in turn, came subsequent variants, which gave rise to this amazing iconographic diversity. In terms of time, the creation of the first, Greek original of this icon dates back to the 16th–17th centuries, and its appearance in Russia dates back to the 17th–18th centuries. One of the first revered lists came through pilgrims to the Moscow St. Alexeevsky Monastery, the first mention of which dates back to 1757, and it is in her honor that the celebration is held on April 3/16. It is not known for certain where the iconography of the image came from, but there is an assumption that it was from the Balkans.

Russian icon painting of the 17th century was moderately, but nevertheless noticeably influenced by Western tradition during the decade and a half of the Time of Troubles, which ended in 1613. It penetrated into Rus' from Catholic Poland and Lithuania, where attributes uncharacteristic of the Byzantine tradition - royal crowns, flowers, etc. - had long been used. But their depiction in Russian icon painting was consecrated by the hymnography of Orthodoxy, where the epithet “unfading color” was awarded to both Christ and His Mother in various prayer works. For example, on the Alekseevsky list, the flowering branch in the hand of the Mother of God is entwined with a ribbon, and on it is written the irmos of the First Song “Canon of the Grateful”: “Unfading Blossom! Rejoice, O One who has vegetated the fragrant apple: Rejoice, O fragrance of the One King!”

Around the same time, other lists appeared in Central and Southern Russia, and their variety is simply enormous, they are all magnificent, and their indispensable attribute is white, pink, red flowers in flowerpots, garlands, trellises, in other images these are lushly blooming wands in hand of the Mother of God. Sometimes flowers are woven into halos around the head of the Infant Jesus or form a pedestal on which the Most Pure One stands with the Child of God in her arms. In the marvelous inflorescences, stylized to one degree or another, one can discern roses, lilies, and immortelle flowers, which grow abundantly on the slopes of the Holy Mount Athos and are considered a symbol of not only immortality, but also purity.

Also, this image arose from the Orthodox iconographic heritage: in the Benaki Museum, in Athens, there is an icon of St. Anne with little Mary, dating back to the 15th century. The Blessed Virgin has a white flower in her hand, and in this symbolism one can clearly read the prototype of the white lily that the Archangel Gabriel will one day hand to Her. In the State Historical Museum there is an icon of the 16th century “The Virgin and Child with a Flower”, where the flower is in the hand not of the Virgin Mary, but of Jesus, as in the icon of the first half of the 17th century “The Virgin and Child” created in Belarus. It is believed that this list became the source for images of the crown on the heads of the Mother of God and the Infant and organically fit into the canonical principles of Orthodox icon painting.

By the 19th century, the most complex compositions of the icon were simplified, the abundance of attributes was gone, except for the crown, flowers were often indicated by one branch in the hand of the Mother of God, the icon became less colorful both in composition and in color, therefore, according to historians and art historians of church painting, later lists are inferior ancient. From this point of view, the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”, created by the icon painter Marina Filippova, continues the original, ancient tradition, although the basis of the image is taken from a later canon, not overflowing with attributes.

It’s as if the robes of the Mother of God and the Child are woven from flowers, the halo around the central composition is lined with the same ornamental field of flowers - in everything the author’s appeal to the Russian tradition is clearly felt, and so even a hint of the original influence of Western culture in the iconography of the image “Fadeless Color” is leveled out, gone away. . Kuznetsov's writing style is based on the history of Russian ornament, its fundamental connection with our native nature, and icon painter Marina Filippova fully applies this wonderful creative heritage to the new presentation of the beautiful Orthodox icon. On the one hand, this image is now seen as truly Russian, originating in the Byzantine school, and on the other hand, in its new incarnation, the “Unfading Flower” icon of the 21st century still enthusiastically and admiringly glorifies the Mother of God and Christ as “an unfading, fragrant flower.” It brings back the joyful, life-affirming meaning of the first lists, partially lost in the century before last, reflecting the feelings of St. Joseph, the Athonite monk, the creator of the original, and those who observe the miracle on the island of Kefalonia from year to year...

Meaning of the icon
The epithets characterizing the Mother of God, the source of which were Her inherent qualities as the Mother of the One who will come through Her to give True Life to all humanity, the beautiful poetic and sublime comparisons that sound in the words of the services, make up the fullness of the spiritual meaning of this image. If you look at this image, rejoicing and admiring, they simply arise in the soul from the prayers that we offer to Her. She is the “life-giving garden”, She is the “root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity”, She is the “fruitful earth that brings up the Bread of Heaven.” By the Bread of Heaven is meant the image of Christ, Who, as we remember from the Gospel story of the Last Supper, breaking the bread and distributing it to the disciples, said: “This is My Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22), therefore, in some images in the hand of the Most Pure One we see not flowers, but an ear of corn.

Thank God that by His will we can now fall in prayer to the images that we love so much, and it is not without reason that the first hand-made icon to come out from under the brush of the Apostle was the icon of the Most Pure One, Who “took the whole world into adoption.” Her Face on the “Unfading Color” icon, the whole icon is a combination of joy and peace, so sought by our soul, eternally confused in the daily bustle, and all Russian Orthodox iconography is an amazing treasure given to us by the Lord for salvation, admonition and the acquisition of spiritual joy and grace .

Miracles from the icon
They often resort to this image, full of tenderness, tender compassion and love for us, tired of the imperfections of this world, for saving help. Then those who prayerfully turned to Her in front of Her icon “Unfading Color” talk about how the soul is enlightened, what consolation descends on it, inner balance returns, and the world seems full of new hopes, unexpected solutions are found to get rid of problems and strength for action. Anxieties and sorrows go away, and in gratitude to Her, a strengthening of faith is born, seemingly ready to be shaken. Isn’t this a miracle of spiritual resurrection, when the soul of a person who has fallen into despondency, drying up like a sprout, is again reborn to life like the flowers at the shrine of the Virgin Mary in Kefalonia? Well, it is known that from many revered and miraculous icons of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” many miracles occurred related to the finding of a life partner by girls and women who wanted to find their other half and live with her in good harmony.

But there are also modern miracles. Here are just two of them noted in our century.
In 2012, in the village of Chernovka, Sergievsky district, Samara region, on the window of the house of an elderly woman, a believer and virtuous, on April 16 - just on the day of the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” - an image of this image appeared. The owner of the house, Ekaterina Ivanovna Malygina, saw it when, on that day, after the weather warmed up, she removed the oilcloth from the window, which was used to protect the house from the winter cold. It was in the morning, and in the bright morning light the amazed woman saw the image of the Mother of God and the Child, in which at first she did not recognize the “Fading Color,” but then she looked in the reference books and found this image.

In the evening the image disappears, and with the onset of daylight it gradually appears. Both priests and laymen came to the image, completely unbelievers tried to rub and scratch the amazing glass, but the image remained untouched. So they went home, amazed, saying a prayer to themselves.

In the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Novovoskresenovka, Novovorontsovsky district, Kherson region, in 2007, the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” began to flow myrrh. Then the miracles that came from her began. The fame of the icon quickly spread throughout the area and beyond. According to the testimonies of those who flocked here, through the prayers of this image, family relationships were restored and conflicts between household members were resolved. There are known cases of healing of adults and children, especially those suffering from speech problems - the children began to speak.

All these and other miracles that give us solutions to many, many problems are wonderful. But one more conclusion can be drawn: no matter what skeptics and those who do not trust the obvious, albeit incredible, may say, miracles from God exist in our lives and are given according to our faith, not only, figuratively speaking, for pragmatic purposes. Also, to be seen and remembered: Where the Throne of God is, all of us who lift up words of prayer and thanksgiving to Heaven are seen and remembered. We will receive an answer to every word, every movement of the soul towards God, to every thought addressed to Him, if they are honest and sincere, if they are imbued with trust and love. Therefore, icons stream myrrh and miraculously are found, healings are performed at life-giving holy springs - this is all evidence that God is with us here and now, and we, if we decide to follow Him, constantly live in His presence, and this fact becomes extremely important for one who considers himself a believer and Orthodox person.

Before the Mother of God image “Unfading Flower”, Mother of Heaven is asked to protect the family from troubles between loved ones, from empty temptations that may visit one of the family members. For girls who have not yet found a betrothed, but want to start a family, a prayerful appeal to this icon will protect them from premature temptations and from the wrong choice of a future spouse. If an adult woman cannot find her “half” for a long time - her personal life is not working out, turning to the Most Pure One in front of Her “Unfading Color” icon will protect from loneliness.

It is curious that since 1999 this truly blooming and fragrant image has been proclaimed by Russian ecologists as an Orthodox symbol of Russia’s ecology. Thus, the Mother of God now patronizes the Russian environmental party “Greens,” which in our country unites many movements for the preservation of our native nature.

Prayer before this image helps in preserving a marriage, strengthening a family, resolving family problems, and overcoming sorrows that sometimes happen in our everyday life.

For girls who want to get married, prayer in front of the “Unfading Color” icon helps not to make a mistake in choosing a life partner, to find someone who will become a caring head of the family, a faithful and reliable support and protection, and this marriage will stand and remain indestructible in any everyday conflicts . Unmarried girls of adolescence, who are raised in the faith from a very early age, entering adulthood, ask the Mother of God in Her image of the “Unfading Color” to protect them from the temptations of the world, to help cultivate in themselves the likeness of the prototype - the Most Pure One, in order to pass on this wonderful experience over time to my children.

Sincere and earnest prayer in front of the “Unfading Color” icon guides those who are spiritually suffering on the right path, helps to find the strength to endure deep sorrows, not to become weak from disappointment, and relieves them of despondency and heavy thoughts.

There is evidence that prayer in front of the image helps to preserve health and youth for a long time - mental and physical.

Second prayer
Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer. Mistress and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, for our murmuring. Be our Mother and Protectress, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection. Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins.
Oh, Mother Mary, our most offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession. Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who retaliate against us. O Mother of our Lord Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth. By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we 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 to the icon
Rejoice, Bride of God, secret rod, blossoming unfading color, rejoice, Lady, with Her we are filled with joy and inherit life.

In more ancient images the difference was as follows. On the icon “Unfading Flower” the Infant God sat on the right hand of the Mother of God, and on the icon “Fragile Flower” - on the left. In modern icons these distinctions are often not respected.