Icon of the Mother of God of unfading color. Everything about the icon is an unfading color and a prayer for it. Betrayal, love spells, storms of adversity - a strong test for a family union
The Icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Color" is my favorite. This, from my point of view, is the most beautiful icon dedicated to Her. It belongs to the “Akathist” type, since it embodies in colors one of the literary epithets of praise in honor of the Mother of God. The day of celebration of the icon is April 16.
I made a selection of ancient icons of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”, among them there are Greek icons. And in the Balkans, it turns out that its own version of this iconographic type of the Mother of God “Unfading Rose” is very common. The most famous is in the Esphigmen monastery on Mount Athos.
Icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Rose".Esphigmen monastery. Athos
Icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Color". History and symbolism
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.
Icon "Unfading Color". Tikhon Filatiev. Moscow. XVII century
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.
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 for detail, which was not initially characteristic of Orthodox icon painting.
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, in front of 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 a 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 in front of 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 most kind and quick 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 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".
Icon "Unfading Color". Greece
Almost every icon has its own origin and its own, sometimes not very clear, history. And the most interesting and unusual are the stories about ancient images, which also worked miracles more than once. This is exactly what the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Fadeless Color” is.
History of the origin of the icon
How and when this image appeared in Rus' is unknown. This is a mystery that many have tried to unravel. Maybe that’s why the icon has acquired so many stories and legends? True, they consider the time of the appearance of the image in Rus' to be the 17th century, when pilgrims brought it with them. But it is known for certain how and why it acquired its name. The icon began to be called so thanks to the hymns in honor of the Mother of God. And besides, since ancient times, the Mother of God has been compared to a flower that blooms forever and never loses its freshness and beauty.
The Most Holy Theotokos "Unfading Color": the meaning of the icon
The meaning of this image is truly great. It symbolizes purity and innocence. Perhaps that is why girls come to the icon with prayers, wanting to preserve innocence for their future spouse. By the way, with requests that the Mother of God help choose a husband, they also turn to her. Most often, when blessing the young, it is “Unfading Color” that is used. The significance of the icon in a woman’s family life is also very great - it helps to cope with all the hardships that befall a woman.
Interesting!
There is an opinion among the people that if you pray to the “Unfading Color” icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, then youth and beauty will not leave you for many years. It also helps to gain love and recognition from others. But this opinion was kept strictly secret, passed down from mother to daughter.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Unfading Color"
What is so special about her? The canvas depicts the Virgin Mary holding a baby in her left hand and a white lily flower in her right. It is considered a sign of the purity and eternal beauty of the Blessed Virgin, to whom they turn in prayers: “You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of beauty.” Of course, there are interpretations where instead of a lily in the hand of the Mother of God there are roses or some other flower. By the way, many are very different from each other. But there is one common motif in all of them - flowers. The Mother of God herself in all icons, like the baby, is dressed in royal clothes.
"Fadeless icons. Legends
As you know, the origin of the icon is shrouded in mystery, but you can look into the chronicles or the Orthodox calendar. They have a plot according to which the image is connected with Mount Athos. Immortelle trees grew along its slopes. But then there is a fair question: “Why do they write lilies on the icon?” According to the same sources, earlier the image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading Color” was painted somewhat differently. She was depicted on a throne and with a scepter entwined with flowers in her hands. But over time, the complex parts disappeared from the canvases, and only the image itself remained, which amazes with its beauty and tranquility.
Miracles performed in this way
The icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Color" has the most miraculous meaning. It’s not in vain that it helps to preserve youth, get married or save a family. And many authors tell stories in their works about how the miracles performed by the flower on the icon happened. For example, the monk Meletius writes about how healing took place from the lily of the Virgin Mary in 1864. He talks about this in detail in his “Tale of the Miracles of the Mother of God that occurred recently on Holy Mount Athos.”
And finally
This image has been revered since ancient times by women of all ages. Our Lady of the “Unfading Color” (the meaning of the icon is not known to everyone) evokes genuine awe and delight among the fair sex. At the subconscious level, women are drawn to her. And for good reason! Its miracles are truly immeasurable.
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, for we tirelessly and with tenderness call to You:
Ikos 1
I am a blessing from God and like a long-awaited gift from heaven, requested by unceasing prayer from God, I 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. O Most Merciful Virgin Mary! Open our hearts to Your praise and offer up our prayer to Your Son and our God, that we may call You this:
Rejoice, unattainable purity and indescribable beauty; Rejoice, exalted in Your humility.
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of love; Rejoice, vessel chosen by God.
Rejoice, our zealous Intercessor.
Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.
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, having washed 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
And the angel 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. We, unworthy, behold such greatness, and in humility of heart we cry:
Rejoice, O full of grace among women; Rejoice, you who have found grace from God and, moreover, exalted Angel.
Rejoice, for you have conceived a Son who will inherit the throne of His father David; 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 sorrow of our life. But you, O Blessed One, illuminate our souls with Your gospel, fill our hearts with humility. Yes, bowing our heads, we say: Behold, servants of the Lord, may it be done to us according to Your will! To You, O Unfading Flower, and from You 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 when Elizabeth heard Mary’s kiss, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out with a great voice, saying: Where does this come from to me, 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 Color! 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, keeping watch at night, 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 Firstborn Son, accept from us the following:
Rejoice, Virgin Mother of God, for through You the world has risen to the Light of the undefeatable; Rejoice, Star, showing us the way in the darkness.
Rejoice, dawn of the 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
The King of the world is coming, the secret Sacrifice is being accomplished; Angels sing in heaven: Glory to God in the highest! The Savior of the world is born. Christ comes, the great Divine mystery. God has appeared in the flesh, and we, unworthy servants, having put aside all worldly cares, with the Angels of God we glorify 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
With this righteous Simeon came in spirit to the church and received the Son of Jesus on his hand, and blessed God, and said: Now do You let Your servant go, O Master, according to Your 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, 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 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, beg Your Son to 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 Receiver of God: 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
O, stretching out and strengthening 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 Jerusalem festival, 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 like this:
Rejoice, thou who hast 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, protection 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
Hell! What will you do for us? - thus asking His Son Jesus and marveling at seeing Him sitting in the temple in the midst of the proud and foolish high priests of the Jews, the Divine Mind, revealing to them the Divine revelation. 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 fear of God, in obedience to parents and in spiritual purity; grant them to grow to the glory of God and the happiness of the land of our fathers. O Lamp of unquenchable love, anoint them with the oil of Thy mercy, warm them with the meekness of Thy eyes, cover them with the robe of Thy Motherhood. Oh, the Unfading Flower! With strong faith, unshakable hope and great contrition of heart, falling at Your feet, we continually cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
X warm prayer for an adulterous and sinful generation! 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 he strengthen in us the beginning of the Divine Light, the source pure Spirit of 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 are 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, which is righteously moved against us for our sins; 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
Having been in the lower and the Highest, you never retreated, the Divine Teacher: you healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, filled the whole world with love, meek Sufferer! Behold, you hang, nailed to the Cross among the villains, and all the people, standing, curse 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, cry out to You from the depths of our souls:
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 was bleeding Your Son 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
So God loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, then have eternal life. And all these ungrateful and malicious people, like a villain, nailed Him to the Cross. We, seeing such a thing, are seized with horror, 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, so that in spiritual burning, like a light of repentance, we will kindle ourselves 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, correct our feet 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 finished! 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? Do 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, marveling at such miracles and truly confessing Your Son, the Son of God, truly cry out to You:
Rejoice, Mother of God, behold, all the words that you have composed in Your 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 handsome Joseph and is wrapped in a clean shroud. With His soul He ascends into hell to destroy the eternal faiths and lead to freedom from the ages of those bound; from His tomb he proclaims to His mother: Do not weep for Me, Mother, as you behold in the tomb, Whom in your womb without seed you conceived a Son: for I will arise and be glorified, and will exalt with glory unceasingly as 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 and 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 missing. 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, as he said! Teach you, O Lady, to invite everyone:
Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, and again the river: Rejoice, for Your 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 for us all, and giving life 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 have brought us a bright feast of holidays; Rejoice, for through You a bright day has come for us, let us embrace each other, forgive all by the resurrection, rejoice and be glad 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 Mother of God, 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 departed to Your Divine To my son. Oh, our tireless Prayer Book! Oh, Unfading Color of the bright heavenly paradise! Send down to us, O Merciful One, a quiet and painless departure from this vale of tears, sighs and sorrows, and let us cry out to You like this:
Rejoice, ascended into 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 will we go, unwashed, in the midst of darkness and the shadow of death 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 out to God: 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 doing it, why aren’t you getting ready? The Lord is at the door, where do you place your hope? What answer will the Lord pronounce when He, the terrible Judge, comes to judge the earth; Do not weigh this hour or this day, from the edge of the earth to the edge the Archangel's trumpet sounds, and the dead rise, and all the nations gather. 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 cry:
Rejoice, lightning, illuminating our darkness; Rejoice, you who intercede for us at the Last Judgment of Christ.
Rejoice, covering the whole world from troubles and sorrows with Your omophorion; Rejoice, for you are the son of the One Mother.
Rejoice, for you alone have been given the ineffable grace to pray for us; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal joy for all your faithful children.
Rejoice, fragrant with your Unfading Flower among us sinners forever.
Rejoice, Mother of God, Unfading Flower.
Kontakion 13
Oh, Unfading Color! 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: Ayaliluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos, “For God’s blessing...” and the 1st kontakion, “Oh, Most Blessed Virgin Mary...”.
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.
Troparion, tone 5
Rejoice, Bride of God, secret rod, blossoming unfading color, rejoice, Lady, with whose joy we are filled and we inherit life.
Almost every icon has an interesting and unique origin story. The most interesting are the ancient images, which have created many miracles during their existence. It is precisely these icons that include the image of the Mother of God called “The Unfading Color.” In fact, it is not known for certain how exactly the icon “Fadeless Color” » has become a tradition. There are different versions. One way or another, here we are talking about the smooth movement of Christian culture, which underwent some metamorphoses.
Features of the “Fadeless Color” icon
The time of creation of the miraculous image of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is unknown. For many years, humanity tried to solve this mystery, but all the efforts were in vain. The reason for this fact is the gradual entry of the image of flowers into the iconographic type. This version of the icon of the Mother of God is called akathist, that is, some epithet is taken here that glorifies the Virgin Mary in akathists and this epithet is reflected in the icon. It is easy to understand the meaning of the “Unfading Flower” icon - the flowers here indicate the purity of the Virgin, and eternal purity, that is, unfading. It is worth saying that the comparison with the unfading color was also used in some texts for Christ. The symbolism of this image is very multidimensional and deep.
As we found out, it will not be difficult to find out why the icon bears this name. The icon began to be called that because of the chants that were sung in honor of the Mother of God.
How does the “Fadeless Color” icon help?
For the spiritual practice of the Orthodox, the significance of the “Unfading Color” icon cannot be exaggerated. This icon is a symbol of purity and sinlessness. That is why young girls bow their heads before her, wanting to preserve their chastity before marriage.
Also, girls at the image of the Virgin Mary “Unfading Color” often pray for help in choosing a spouse and ask for happiness in family life. The “Unfading Color” icon is often used to give a blessing to future spouses.
This image helps married women cope with all the troubles that happen in their lives. There are beliefs that prayers to the Fragrant Flower icon of the Mother of God help representatives of the fair sex maintain youth and beauty for many years.
Icon spelling options
The icon depicts the Mother of God holding a child in one hand and a white lily in the other. This flower is considered a symbol of purity and beauty. However, there are many images where the Blessed Virgin is depicted with a rose. In general, there are a lot of options for writing this icon. The only common feature for such an icon is the presence of a flower. In this case, the flowers can also be a garland that frames the image. Icons of the Mother of God with a flower in her hand are popular, that is, a certain property of the Mother of God is emphasized.
The Virgin and Child in the image are most often dressed in royal attire. In earlier versions, the holy image was depicted somewhat differently. Previously, the Blessed Virgin Mary was depicted sitting on a throne and holding a scepter. However, due to the complexity of the drawing, it was no longer depicted in this way.
Making changes to the image did not diminish its beauty. To this day it evokes a feeling of peace in all sincere believers. The icon especially helps girls and women who go to him to pray in order to find their own feminine happiness and at least in some way become like the Mother of God, to embody the best feminine qualities in this world.
Such a craving for this image is quite understandable. After all, it is this image that helps make dreams come true and fills the heart with goodness and faith in the power of the Virgin Mary.
It is not surprising that women are most drawn to her. This icon gives them feminine wisdom and helps them survive the most difficult periods of their lives. For women who worry a lot and want to find happiness, they are advised to choose where in the house to hang the “Fadeless Color” icon and pray in front of this image. A good option is a home altar, since the image of the Virgin Mary here does not deviate from the canon and can be the main one in the house. In order for a sincere prayer to the “Unfading Flower” icon to get married to be heard, one should use miraculous images. For example, in Moscow alone there are four famous icons that belong to this type of image.
Prayers to the 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 most kind and quick 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 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.