Apple blossom icon. “Fadeless Color” is the most beautiful icon of the Mother of God. Prayer to the icon "Fadeless Color".
The most revered image of the Mother of God is the icon " Fadeless color". The creation of this image dates back to the 17th century on Athos, the basis of the image was taken from the writings of the Byzantine akathists, in which the Mother of God and the Infant are compared with fragrant and unfading flowers.
And bad luck, you may never see a delicious cake and miss the joy of eating it just because you waited to see it first. And without seeing her, you didn't even wonder if there could be anything better than these pretzels. If you don't believe anything, it's easy - nothing will change for you. It is interesting, however, that people who do not believe seek excuses or motivation for their lack of faith, giving negative examples and laughing at them.
It is sad that because of some, too much or too little talk, people get away from the point. Attention is drawn to some people and so far from what is needed! It's like giving up on learning because some of the teachers are idiots and the system is going badly. That doesn't mean it's a problem with the idea of education!
The Mother of God, depicted on the icon “Fadeless Color” and on its lists, holds Her Son on her 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.
What helps and what do they pray for?
The big problem is not that some people are wrong, the really big problem is the lack of discrimination between people - the inability to find answers, to try to get closer to the truth, something more! Put it in your head, pull it in front! So we feel better, but just as far from understanding what we are. Be stupid teachers, but that's no reason for us to stay away from education. But success with this, you can live uneducated.
But there are people who believe in God, but who are so lost in their own beliefs that they completely forgot to be "in the likeness of God." Lack of understanding is combined with the belief that the most important thing is his own belief, all sorts of abuses occur. And we and the new reasons for those who look good on the street, and run away from the essence.
This image is one of the oldest icons, the Orthodox wore it on their chest and believed in miraculous powers coming from the image of the Mother of God and her Son Jesus. The prayers offered to this icon protected childhood and chastity, helped to maintain 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 “Fadeless Color” icon allows women to preserve their beauty and prolong their youth. This miraculous icon helped in the healing of many sick people.
People want to change outside. Instead of others, there will always be other people, new ministers, new priests, and so on. some evolved in some way, others somehow. Something is about to change for sure. But something in us will not necessarily change for this reason. We will always have reasons for dissatisfaction with others. And if internal changes do not occur, we will always live from one protest to another, from one tragedy to another, always with fear, discontent and lack of peace and happiness. Because we get the impression that peace and happiness will come when everything around is "as it should be."
There is another spelling of the icon of the Mother of God with a similar name, where the face of the Most Pure Mother of God with the Infant on her knees, whose gaze is turned to the left shoulder of the Mother.
Yes, there are many evils and misfortunes. Many interests that destroy lives, many greeds that destroy nations, and so on. we must fight for a better society and better life. But in all this struggle, which manifests itself in one way or another every day in our lives, cannot be neglected. This is how people die. Not all of us really live!
And living truly does not mean enjoying as small things as possible, bought with money. Living truly can mean living better with the Truth. Try to get closer to a deeper understanding, something much deeper that will change and greatly improve the way we live.
She looks with tenderness and love at Her Son, who holds a flower in his left palm. The flower also symbolically marks the never-fading childhood and purity. Holy Mother of God.
The icon "Fadeless Color" is glorified in many cities and Russian Churches. The celebration in honor of the icon "Unfading Color" takes place on April 16. Orthodox pray for happiness in the family, for purity of soul, for the preservation of a righteous life.
What does the “Fadeless Color” icon help in?
And where do you feel everything you live? Where do you feel you eat, where do you feel you breathe, where do you feel you love or hate? Everything we live is just inside of us! And if something is wrong, it will not help to make changes from the outside. That if you have a headache, you won't give another Nurofen. Take care of all aspects of your life, not just the body, not just the outside.
Miracles done in a way
Then they won't use me. Also, please don't bring flowers to my grave! Why do they have to die the same day with me? I had many flowers in the hills and mountains, I don't need it anymore! Not to mention unnecessary expenses that could be redirected to something better. Oh, so many people are in need! I will have more important things to do than listen when you complain, first of all, of a misunderstanding.
The Mother of God helps to gain strength to overcome difficult life trials and gives faith in the healing of the sick and weak.
One of the brightest and most colorful images of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the icon "Fadeless Color". The Mother of God is always depicted on it among flowers and plants. And it is not surprising that this image is loved not only by Orthodox believers, but also by people who do not identify themselves with religion. The Green Party initiated the construction of a chapel in honor of this image in Moscow on the territory of the Alekseevsky Monastery. On their initiative, the icon "Fadeless Color", the photo of which is in front of you, has become a symbol of the struggle for the ecology of Russia.
Image from the chapel of the Alekseevsky Monastery
The choice for the construction of the chapel of the Alekseevsky monastery is quite justified. The fact is that here in ancient times the most revered in Orthodox world icon of the Mother of God "Fadeless color". However, even during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, it was lost. Now it is difficult to say what exactly was the reason why the monastery lost such an important shrine. But since then, there have been numerous confirmations of the miracles revealed in this wonderful way.
At present, another icon "Fadeless Color" is displayed in the chapel, but according to the pilgrims, it also works wonders. And this should not be surprising. The fact is that the “Fadeless Color” is an icon whose meaning, prayer and even iconographic style are filled with a special content. They go beyond the traditional Virgin image. Only one image of the Virgin Mary and the Child, surrounded by flowers, carries a powerful positive charge.
Miraculous icon from Voronezh
Among the currently existing icons of this type, the miraculous icon from the city of Voronezh, which was kept in the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, is widely known in Orthodox circles. Its history is remarkable. She disappeared during the revolution. Information about it was preserved only in archival documents of that period.
But at the beginning of the 2000s, when they began to return to the believers everything that had been illegally taken away in a difficult time, the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God was also returned to the parishioners. However, the miraculous appearance of the very icon, which was considered irretrievably lost, became a real holiday. Now it can be seen in Voronezh in the left limit of the Intercession Church. Already today, a lot of evidence of her miraculous work has been collected.
Icon of the Mother of God from Saratov
Another icon of the Mother of God "Fadeless Color", which cannot be ignored, is located in Saratov. It is kept in a church built and consecrated in honor of another well-known icon of the Theotokos - "Assuage My Sorrows". This icon is notable for the fact that it was painted by a Greek master on Mount Athos in St. Andrew's Skete. It was not possible to establish the exact date of the creation of the image, according to researchers, it was written no later than the middle of the 19th century.
Arzamsky image, lost and recreated again
In the Intercession Convent near Arzamas, before the revolution, there was also the icon of the Mother of God "Fadeless Color", revered by all. But in the fire of the revolution, the monastery was badly damaged, while the shrine itself was irretrievably lost. Only memories of the miracles sent down through her by the Queen of Heaven remained. In 2010, one of Ardatov's businessmen initiated the reconstruction of the image based on surviving photographs and testimonies of old parishioners who remember the icon. Specialists were invited, with their help the image was restored.
Favorite image of St. Seraphim of Sarov
Another icon "Fadeless Color" famous for its miracles is located in the city of Kadom. Merciful-Bogorodsky Monastery was once located here. Nowadays, it has not yet been restored and lies in ruins, but a temple operates on its territory, in which the icon "Fadeless Color", brought from Georgia, is located.
During the long years of the fight against the God it was kept in a private house, only during the period of church revival was it transferred to the temple. This icon is remarkable, first of all, because it was once kept by the holy Reverend Seraphim of Sarov and enjoyed his special love. A characteristic feature of the iconography of the image is the half-length figure of John the Baptist depicted above the head of the Savior.
In 2006, in the village of Ivankovichi in the Kiev region, a temple of the icon "Fadeless Color" was built. It is remarkable that during its construction, despite the scale of the work being carried out, not a single tree growing around was damaged. This is also a kind of miracle. In the collections of the Tretyakov Gallery (as well as a number of other museums) there are several similar miraculous images.
Help sent through the icon
The icon "Fadeless Color" helps, first of all, in solving all kinds of family problems. Usually, these are cases where discord sets in in marital relations, and help is needed to strengthen them. Also, in the event of conflicts and between all other households, prayers are offered before her image. It has been noted more than once that the Mother of God helped young girls in search of a worthy life partner.
It is widely believed that during a prayerful appeal, help is given not only to the soul, but also to the body of the person praying, helping to preserve beauty and youth. The icon "Fadeless Color", the meaning of which is very wide, provides a very important help to people who have experienced strong life dramas. Her support is invaluable in cases where people suffer from loneliness and mental breakdown as a result of grief that has befallen them. In such cases, prayer in front of the image instills new strength in a person, helps to survive a difficult period in life, get rid of anxieties and gloomy thoughts.
Numerous testimonies of gracious help
At present, there is a lot of evidence of those who personally in prayers turned to the Most Holy Theotokos for help in front of her miraculous image. Prayer to the icon "Fadeless Color" helped many unmarried women find their chosen one and arrange family happiness. Survivors of mental suffering talk about the gift of peace of mind, about the grace-filled help in gaining strength for later life, in getting rid of anxieties and gloomy thoughts.
The miraculous phenomenon of the icon in the village of Chernovka
Russian Orthodox Church knows many examples of miraculous manifestations of the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos. This usually happens at times when people especially need Her holy help. Often such events occur at turning points in history. But even today there are cases of miraculous appearances of the icons of the Mother of God. One of them happened quite recently in the Samara region.
In the spring of 2012, in the village of Chernovka, Sergievsky District, an icon miraculously appeared on the window of an elderly woman. It is noteworthy that this happened exactly on April 16, that is, on the day of the celebration in honor of the image "Fadeless Color". On this day, the mistress of the house decided to remove the oilcloth from the window, which covered it in winter from cold winds. What was her amazement when, in the window, freed from the protective layer, she saw the face of the Most Holy Theotokos and Her Baby. A quiet glow emanated from her. Before the astonished gaze of the woman was the icon "Fadeless Color".
Still not fully understanding the meaning of what had happened, the woman burst into tears of joy. But the miracle didn't end there. Since then, every evening with the onset of darkness, the wonderful image disappears and reappears in the morning. Each time it happens very slowly and gradually. The image cannot be taken and carried away. He seems to live in the window of the house. The hostess says that both church ministers and just curious people came to her many times. Many tried to convict her of deceit. But no matter how hard they tried, each time they left the house in embarrassed silence. And in the window, the icon "Fadeless Color" still shone quietly. The photo of the icon, unfortunately, did not appear in the press, although there were many representatives of the press among the visitors.
A fertile spring in the Yeisk district
Since ancient times, on the outskirts of a small village in the Yeysk district, a miraculous spring was beating from the ground. He became famous for the fact that many sufferers received healing from his blessed waters. He healed many hopeless patients. And no one could say for sure when his fame began, who was the first to know his strength. A wooden church was built over the spring and consecrated in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Many of those who came to the source later recalled that they clearly saw in its waters the outlines of the Mother of God and the Son, surrounded by flowers. According to their descriptions, the icon "Fadeless Color" was recreated exactly. The significance of such a miracle for the sufferers was enormous. Their faith from what they saw was immeasurably strengthened and their prayers became fertile, and this brought healing. After the revolution, the church was destroyed, the spring was covered with earth. And only in 2008, during construction work, it was accidentally dug up. And again he brings healing to people, and again the prayer to the icon "Fadeless Color" sounds over him.
It should also be remembered that the image, which is currently located in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in the Kherson region. This is another wonderful "Fadeless Color" icon. Its meaning is that it is myrrh-streaming. Not only from all over Ukraine, but from other states, pilgrims come to her to bow and ask in prayers for deliverance from the troubles of life.
The history of the creation of the holy image
The history of the creation of the icon is noteworthy. In Greece, on Mount Kefalonia, a miracle happens every year, witnessed by many pilgrims. According to the tradition that has developed over many centuries, on the day of the Annunciation, white flowers are brought to the festive service, in memory of the flower that was in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel at that great hour. These flowers are carefully folded into the icon case under glass and stored there without water until the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, that is, for five months. And every year, on the same day, dry stems of flowers are filled with life-giving power, fresh snow-white buds appear on them. The sight of these flowers inspired Athos icon painters to create the image "Fadeless Color".
The power of the icon in our faith
Many pilgrims come to the monastery on Mount Athos to bring their prayers to the miraculous icon and in return receive healing from illnesses and deliverance from troubles. But sometimes people forget that the Lord brings healing and deliverance, and the "Fadeless Color" is an icon. Prayer will have meaning only on condition of deep faith. "According to your faith will you!" Jesus Christ commanded his disciples. The "Unfading Color" icon helps only those who keep these words in their hearts.
In their sermons, the priests of the Athos monasteries very poetically say that the stems of flowers in the icon case of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos are like the souls of people. As flowers devoid of moisture and vital juices wither, so human souls, deprived of grace-filled communion with God, mired in sins, wither away in moral desolation. And just like those white buds that have been touched by the breath of God's lips, they are able to be reborn, filled with fragrance.
Nothing is more capable of affecting a person and the world like a prayer raised to God from the depths of our heart, filled with faith. The Holy Fathers teach us that words deprived of confidence in the all-embracing mercy of God will never acquire grace-filled power. They will always remain just an empty and worthless set of sounds.
