Icon of unfading color meaning. The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”
The Most Pure Mother of God traditionally helps women who turn to her for help.
The Unfading Color icon symbolizes purity and femininity; it gives girls and women hope for a solution to their problems.
History of the “Fadeless Color” Icon
The appearance of the icon was first recorded in the 18th century in the city of Constantinople. The idea of painting an icon arose thanks to Joseph the hymn writer. In his canons, he praised the Most Pure One and the flower, by which he meant little Jesus Christ. However, an incorrect interpretation of the canon led to the replacement of concepts and the flower resulted in a separate symbol.
The icon depicts the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with a child in one hand and a branch of flowers in the other. On some icons, the Virgin Mary’s hand is no longer a branch, but a staff decorated with unfading flowers.
The second version of the appearance of the “Unfading Color” icon can be considered a prototype of Mary, depicted with a carnation in her hand. This painting was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in his youth.
There are several versions of the icon, but one thing unites them - a flower in hands Holy Mother of God.
What helps, in what cases do they pray to the icon
Young people of both sexes pray to the “Unfading Color” icon. They ask the Mother of God to help preserve virgin purity, chastity before marriage, and give strength to resist the temptations of carnal love before wedding.
Still young people pray to the face of the Most Pure Virgin Mary for successful and happy marriage, married.
Older people, those who are married, turn to the face of the saint to pray for well-being and peace in the family. The Mother of God helps those who cannot find a common language with their spouse.
Prayer to the icon will help in healing from illnesses.
Those who have lost the meaning of life, are tormented by sad thoughts, look to the Mother of God for guidance on the true, correct path.
Prayer for marriage to the “Unfading Color” icon
The icon helps women in their family life. At the wedding, the bride received a blessing from the face of the Most Holy One.
Not only girls asked for a successful and happy marriage. Their mothers also made sure to offer prayers to the Mother of God, begging for a happy family life for their daughters.
Prayer always comes from the heart, the woman reads it in her own words.
Example Prayer
“Oh, Most Holy Theotokos, please hear me and my words that I turn to You in prayer! From a sinner, Servant of God (name). I ask for Your intercession before Your Son. And I will be heard, for he is merciful. I ask you, Most Pure Virgin Mary, to be my patroness. Ask our Lord for me: a peaceful marriage and a loving husband, obedient children, and bestow complacency and patience on all humble slaves. I ask You for all mercy, obedience, justice and pure thoughts for sinners. Most Pure Virgin Mary, save me from sinful narcissism and pride. Help me preserve my love for work, bless the fruits of my labor. Mother of God, help me to become a worthy and righteous wife to my just husband. Help us preserve our family hearth, so that we can live in understanding and love. Give me a husband, noble, decent and benevolent. I will glorify You and Our Lord, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen."
Prayer for the beauty of the “Fragrant (Unfading) Color” icon
Every girl and woman wants to be beautiful. It is not surprising that an icon can help with this.
It is necessary to purchase the consecrated face of the Mother of God in the church.
Take a bath or shower to be completely clean. Tuck your hair under a scarf. Place an icon in front of you and first read the “Our Father”, and then ask for beauty.
Cast a spell for physical beauty three times. Then you need to read the “Our Father” again.
Akathist “Unfading Color”, what is asked in it
Akathist - church hymn to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading (Fragrant) Flower.” In it, believers ask the Mother of God to hear them. They pray for protection before the Lord and salvation from enemies. Get rid of sinful thoughts and lead to a calm and righteous life. They also pray for protection on the Day of Judgment.
Where is the icon
The current image of “Fadeless Color”, unfortunately, is a copy. The original was lost in 1757 during the looting of the St. Alexeevsky Monastery in Moscow.
The main temple where the face of the Virgin Mary “Fragrant Flower” is kept is the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Voronezh.
Where to hang an icon at home
The face of the Virgin Mary should be placed in the bedroom of an unmarried girl, in the right corner. The icon needs a special shelf; it is not advisable to hang it on the wall.
In cases where the help of the Virgin Mary is required married woman, the icon is placed in the matrimonial bedroom.
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 “Unfading Color” icon and on its copies, holds Her Son on right hand, 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 for the icon 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.
Holy image of the icon of the Mother of God of Christ " Everlasting Color"was invented and created, it seems, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries on Mount Athos.
The image was based on texts taken from the hymn - akathist. There are words in this text that compare Jesus and his mother the Holy Mother of God to beautiful and immortal flowers.
The day of veneration of the icon is considered April 16. One of the most ancient images of the Mother of God in the Orthodox Church is this particular image. Many different and unusual stories of the creation and manifestation of holiness are associated with it.
The icon can be considered one of the most little-known. The question of its origin and development of iconographic subjects is practically absent in Russian literature. The image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary appeared as a consequence of the development of the akathist cycle.
The history of the appearance of the icon
In the eighteenth century, a venerable, festive icon of the Mother of God “The Unfading Flower” appeared in Constantinople. The icon was further spread to the Greek lands. It is believed that the image gained particular popularity in Thessalonica.
The source for this image is the Grateful Canon of Joseph the hymnographer. This canon contains the words “this unfading color,” but they referred more to Christ.
But in the name of the icon of the Mother of God, the words already refer to Mary herself. The erroneous interpretation of words led to the development of this type of iconography. The earliest prototype for the icon was an engraving written in western style from the Venetian Bible called "The New Treasury". It dates back to the period 1612.
Here the Mother of God is depicted in full height and standing on the moon. The head of Christ is decorated with four roses. Another iconographic predecessor of the icon can be considered the image of the Madonna with a carnation in her hand, painted by the young Leonardo da Vinci.
The icon stands among the most meaningful images, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In fact, the images of the icon of the Mother of God are varied, but they are all united by one symbol - a flower.
Flowers can be used in garlands, on flowering wands. Flowers are depicted on a pedestal on which the Virgin Mary and little Jesus sit. Most often, on icons, the Mother of God is depicted in luxurious, gilded clothes. And also on the icons there are images of Mary up to the waist, but there is always a flower in the hands of the Mother of God.
There are many myths associated with the icon. One myth is associated with its name. It was assumed that the name came from the Mother of God flower that grows on Mount Athos. It is known that in the nineteenth century there was healing from the “immortal” flower of the Virgin Mary.
This story was written down by monks in the tales of the Mother of God and published by the Panteleimon Monastery on Athos. This event, together with the picturesque descriptions of pilgrims to Athos, became the reason why the name of the image began to be attributed to the Mother of God flower. But this is just a myth. It is worth noting that the icons often depict the Mother of God holding a lily flower in her hands.
List Locations
In Russia, four images of the Mother of God were glorified. The first and most ancient was located in the Moscow Alekseevsky Monastery, on the site of which today is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Two more icons are in the State Tretyakov Gallery.
One of them came from the Church of St. Nicholas - “Mutrennaya”, the other arrived from the Church of St. James the Rawhide. The fourth icon is in the State Russian Museum. It was delivered from the now defunct Trinity-Petrovsky Cathedral.
All icons differ in their iconography and history of origin. But they have one thing in common - joy. And joy is depicted in shimmering gold, in the finest ornaments and with the fragrance of flowers.
The icon of the Mother of God is venerated by the Russian Orthodox Church and in our days. In honor of her, churches are being built in Moscow and the Moscow region at the address: the village of Rublevo, on V. Botylev Street, building number forty-five.
Icon "Unfading Color"
What does the meaning of the “Fadeless Color” icon help with?
The significance of this image is great for Orthodox believers.
- The holy image carries deep meaning for all Orthodox Christians. People go to her for help and reassurance. To pray in front of a holy and pure image means to cope with your grief. Women of all ages turn to the Mother of God.
- Young and unmarried women pray for help in finding their betrothed. Women with children ask in prayer to give their daughters and sons the blessing of our Lord. After all, as you know, there are no stronger words in the world than the words of a loving mother.
In front of the holy image, turning to the Mother of God, those asking pray for their loved ones.
She helps:
![](https://i1.wp.com/molitva.guru/wp-content/auploads/402445/vyshit_ikonu_neuvyadaemyy.jpg)
Those praying before the icon of the Mother of God get rid of vague and sinful feelings that have settled in the soul. All doubts and fears about the future life go away. Most often, young and unmarried people come to the image, having lost faith in finding their soulmate.
The words addressed to the face of the Mother of God convey feelings and a sincere desire to find a betrothed who will not leave her, no matter what happens in life. But not only women come to the face of the Mother of God. In the church and at the icon, men are also frequent guests.
What do they pray for in front of the icon?
Prayers before the Holy Image give strength and faith in the future, banish gloomy and soul-plaguing doubts.
- People who believe in the Lord, first of all, pray in front of the icon, in the hope of preserving righteousness and purity of deeds and thoughts.
- And also about the right choice and decision-making about your future spouse.
- They pray for health, chastity and women's well-being.
- They also pray for help in solving family problems and getting rid of all illnesses.
- The prayer asks for help in finding the purpose and meaning of life.
The prayer of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” for marriage is read by women, to get married successfully and find family peace. The institution of marriage teaches that marriage is a commitment made by a believer. The purpose of any woman in fulfilling the divine will is procreation.
Only a woman is capable of giving life to a new person. Therefore, the prayer words read in front of the icon contain great meaning and a desire to fulfill the will of the Lord. The words of prayer can be different, the main thing is that they come from the heart.
Pronounced with special faith and desire, they will help a woman fulfill her desires in a fairly short time.
One of the many options for prayer to the Mother of God:
“Most Pure Mother of God, hear my words addressed to you in prayer. From me, a simple sinner. I ask the words of prayer to lift up the son of God to the throne. He is merciful and I will be heard. In my prayer I ask you to be an intercessor and patroness.
Ask for blessings for your servant: life in love and harmony for spouses, children, obedience, patience and complacency for all the offended and humiliated. For everyone I ask for reason, mercy, a spirit of meekness, purity and righteousness.
ABOUT, Holy Virgin Maria, save me from false pride and pride. Preserve in me and increase the desire to work and bless, I ask you, my labors. The law of God teaches people to live in a righteous marriage, then let me, Holy Mary, fulfill my destiny by becoming a wife worthy of a husband.
For the words of the Lord do not allow a person to remain alone in life. For this reason the Lord created a helpmate and a wife for the husband. He blessed and conveyed to them his desire that they grow and multiply and thereby fill the expanses of the Earth.
Most Holy Mother of God, I pray to you with pure words coming from my very heart. Give me a husband, a pious, kind and honest spouse. So that we can be together in love and harmony. And they could glorify you, Lord - father and son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen".
Review
“My husband and I have been married for three years. At first everything was fine. We understood each other, one might say, perfectly. Helped and supported in difficult situations. But unfortunately, as probably in any family, we had misunderstandings and frequent quarrels occurred on this basis. Of course, we tried and made compromises, but, alas, nothing helped. I was preparing mentally for our breakup. But to be honest, neither my husband nor I wanted a breakup. I have a Grandmother. She is a very pious person. And so she told me about the icon of the Mother of God. Granny said that we need to pray to the icon and ask the Mother of God to save our relationship and family. Now I pray and read a prayer every day. My soul somehow becomes lighter and hope appears. “Relationships with my husband began to improve.”
Katerina.
Not every church can find this particular image of the Mother of Christ. But fortunately, in any church shop you can buy either a photo of the “unfading color” icon or a small reproduction of the image. They can be used for their intended purpose - for your own personal purposes.
Place it in your home and, if necessary, say the words of prayer in front of the image. But do not forget that this is only an image.
Real healing of the soul, and help is given by the Lord, our Father.
Without deep faith in the power of the Lord, the words of prayer have no meaning. Remember the words of Christ: “According to your faith it will be given to you.” The miraculous image of the Mother of God gives help only to true believers.
The icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” appeared in Russia in the 17th century; the image was brought to us by Athonite monks. Soon copies were made from the image, many of which became famous as miraculous. From the original image brought from Athos, lists spread in three iconographic traditions: Russian, Bulgarian and Greek. This explains the difference in the images on the copies, which quickly spread throughout Rus'.
(Image from azbyka.ru)
It is customary to pray before the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” to find peace of mind, for the advent of joy and prosperity in life, for protection against strong temptations. Most often, unmarried girls who want to find a devoted spouse, as well as women experiencing difficulties in marriage, turn to the image.
Until 1757, the original icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Flower” was located in Moscow in Krasnoye Selo in the St. Alekseevsky Monastery (2nd Krasnoselsky Lane, within walking distance from the Krasnoselskaya metro station). During the period of his visit by believers, a lot of healings and miracles occurred. Subsequently, the original image was lost without a trace. Today, on the territory of the temple there is a copy of the icon, which, according to parishioners, also has healing powers.
A particularly revered copy of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is located in Voronezh in the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Bekhtereva St., 36). The temple servants record all the miraculous healings from the icon in the monastery book, and today a lot of believers come to the icon in the hope of finding recovery.
The miraculous image of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”, also known for helping believers, is kept in the Ryazan church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” (Ryazan region, Kadom village, Oktyabrsky lane, no. 1). Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky especially loved this image and repeatedly prayed in front of it.
In the Samara region in 2012, an image of the “Unfading Color” icon of the Mother of God appeared on the window in the house of a parishioner of a local church. The image appeared daily, disappearing in the evening. This incident received wide resonance among local clergy who came to the woman’s house to witness the miraculous phenomenon. Other believers also came to the image with prayers and requests.
Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”
(Image from triinochka.ru)
In 2007, in the Kherson region, a case of myrrh-streaming of the “Unfading Color” icon of the Mother of God was recorded in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Novovoskresenovka. The myrrh-streaming icon quickly became famous among believers in the surrounding area. Numerous miracles occurred from her, and today they continue to multiply through the prayers of believers.
Many married couples came to this icon wanting to improve their relationships. After prayers at the icon, all disagreements in families ceased.
Especially many healings from the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” occurred with children with speech problems. Children brought to the image by their mothers, after visiting the temple, experienced relief from their speech difficulties. One child, who had been mute since birth, spoke. A lot of cases of complete disappearance of speech defects have also been recorded, including situations of poor development of the speech apparatus at the physiological level, as well as problems in the development of the speech part of the brain.
On the Greek island of Kefalonia, a bright tradition has existed for centuries. On the holy feast of the Annunciation, believers bring modest white flowers to the Church, similar to those that the Archangel Gabriel presented to the Mother of God with the news of God’s will to become the mother of the Savior.
The young, embarrassed girl accepted Gabriel's gift, and from then on The lily flower became the personification of the Virgin Mary, as a symbol of purity and innocence. Remembering this phenomenon, Orthodox Christians, feeling the protection and patronage of the Mother of God, place fragile flowers on the icon case in front of the icon, where they remain for a long five months without watering or rays of sunlight.
And on the Feast of the Assumption, an incredible event happens every time - miraculously the withered stems are filled with juice, new shoots of buds are expelled and the temple is filled with a wonderful fragrance and luxurious blossoming of lilies. This is the unfading color. The priests say that Like a flower, the human soul can dry out, losing its divine spark. But as soon as one regains faith, the hardened spirit, with the help of prayer and trust in Christ, again joins the mercy of the Mother of God.
Description
Since the original image of the Mother of God was lost and her image was restored from numerous preserved church scrolls, there is no single prototype. Most often, the Virgin Mary is depicted in festive clothes of blue or red decorated with ribbons. With one hand the Mother of God supports the Divine Infant, and with the other she holds a branch of a lily with a blossoming bud. The face of the Queen of Heaven is depicted as soft and gentle.
The Synod allows variations in the image:
- Jesus is supported by both the right and left hands of the Virgin Mary.
- The head of the Mother of God can be covered with a veil, with a crown, or not covered at all.
- Christ is depicted as both a baby and a youth in rich clothes with a crown on his head. He holds a scroll or orb in his hands.
- Flowers may differ in variety, shade and splendor.
It is noted that the older and ancient icon, the more carefully the details are drawn on it. The plot can be supplemented by the image of a throne, flower garlands and the apostles present.
Meaning
Since ancient times, the “Unfading Color” icon has symbolized innocence, pure thoughts and the unfading beauty of the soul before suffering and grief. Purity and chastity emanating from the Mother of God are the standard for young unmarried girls and single boys who dream of finding their other half to create a strong family.
Often the image of the Mother of God is used to bless brides for marriage. and escorted into married life, having carried out the Sacrament of Wedding. Looking at the lovely image of the Virgin Mary, women of different ages pray for the preservation of health and beauty. Single Christians of both sexes, bowing before the icon, ask to be given a bright feeling of love, to relieve anxiety and receive recognition from the people around them.
What do they pray to the icon for and how does “Fadeless Color” help?
The Mother of God has always been considered the main intercessor of Orthodox Christians. Despite the fact that more women turn to the “Unfading Color” icon, a sincere prayer for the mercy of the Mother of God is acceptable for people of both sexes and a wide range of ages.
Young boys and girls are asking:
![](https://i2.wp.com/verovat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bride-300x182.jpg)
Married ladies and respectable men pray:
- About the pacification of spiritual and carnal passions.
- About help in overcoming obstacles.
- About mutual understanding in married life and maintaining loving relationships.
- About a calm future pastime with your family.
- About the proper upbringing of children.
- About the decision in the event of family adversity and preservation of the home.
- About preserving the beauty of soul and body.
“Fadeless Color” helps you find:
- Peace of mind.
- Comfort after sad news.
- Recover your fading faith in Christ.
- Find the strength to overcome obstacles and overwhelming dark thoughts.
- Get hope for tomorrow.
- Get rid of worries.
The “Unfading Color” icon is considered miraculous. Prayer before it helps to cleanse yourself of negativity, irritation and resentment. The Mother of God joyfully softens hardened hearts and restores faded feelings. Christians raised in the faith pray to the Virgin Mary for guidance on the true path, and ask to bestow knowledge about the Lord on the younger generation.
Icon in the house
Home iconostasis. Usually the icon is placed in the home iconostasis along with the other images or placed on a specially equipped shelf in the eastern side of the home.
Lace and fresh flowers are considered good decorations for the “Unfading Color” or willow branches. It is necessary to remember about regular cleaning of the home icon case; the image must be kept clean.
Respect for the holy image greatly strengthens the prayer of the believer.
It is also permissible to place icons in rooms:
- Marital bedroom. Love relationship between spouses are not considered a sin, but lead to the continuation of the human race.
- Girl's bedroom. The image helps to maintain purity of thoughts and refrain from sinful thoughts.
- Children bedroom. Under the auspices of the Mother of God, children's sleep will be pure and bright.
Clergy have no special requirements for the placement of icons. It is possible to place the icon anywhere in the house.
Read Also:
Prayer
Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer.
Mistress and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten and teach us, do not retreat from us, Your servants, for our murmuring.
Be our Mother and Patroness, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful Protection. Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life, so that we may pay for our sins. Oh, Mother Mary, our most kind and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession, protect us from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against us.
O Mother of our Lord Creator! You are the Root of Virginity and the Unfading Flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth.
By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we may be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and be justified by Your wonderful intercession at the Last Judgment of Your Son, to whom we give glory, honor and worship now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
It may seem to people far from faith that the image of “The Unfading Flower” is just a pretty picture, but thousands of believers talk about the ambulance of the Mother of God, about her intercession and guardianship over the petitioners.
Useful video