Almost every icon has its own origin and its own, sometimes not very clear, history. And the most interesting and unusual are the stories of ancient images, which also worked wonders more than once. This is precisely the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color".
Icon Origin History
How and when this image appeared in Russia is unknown. This is a mystery that many have tried to solve. Maybe that's why the icon has grown with so many stories and legends? True, they consider the time of the appearance of the image in Russia to be the century 17, when the 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 chants in honor of the Mother of God. And besides, from ancient times the Virgin was compared with a flower that blooms forever and never loses its freshness and beauty.
The Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color": the meaning of the icon
The value of this image is truly great. It symbolizes purity and integrity. Perhaps that is why girls come to the icon with prayers, wanting to preserve innocence for the future spouse. By the way, with requests that the Mother of God help to choose a husband, they also turn to her. Most often, with the blessing of the young, it is "Fadeless Color" that is used. The importance of the icon in the family life of a woman is also very great - she helps to cope with all the hardships that fall on the heavy female share.
Interesting!
There is a popular belief that if you pray the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color", then youth and beauty will not leave you for many years. And she helps to get love and recognition from others. But this opinion was kept in strict confidence, transmitted from the mother of her daughter.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin "Fadeless Color"
What is it remarkable for? The painting depicts the Virgin, who holds a baby in her left hand, and a white lily flower in her right. He is considered a sign of the purity and eternal beauty of the Blessed Virgin, which is addressed 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 Virgin’s hand there are roses or some other flower. By the way, many of the Fadeless Color icons are very different from each other. But there is one common motive in all of them - flowers. The Mother of God herself in all the icons, like the baby, is dressed in royal robes.
Fadeless Color: The meaning of the icon. Legends
As you know, the origin of the icon is covered in mystery, but you can look into the annals or the Orthodox calendar. They have a plot according to which the image is connected with Mount Athos. Immortals grew on its slopes. But then there is a fair question: "Why do lilies write on the icon?" According to the same sources, previously the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color" was written a little 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 remained, which impresses with its beauty and pacification.
Miracles done
Icon of the Virgin "unfading color", the most miraculous is of significance. After all, it is not in vain that she helps to preserve youth, get married or save the family. And many authors tell stories in their works about how miracles worked by a flower on an icon. For example, the monk Meletius writes about how the healing from the lily of the Virgin in 1864 happened. He talks about this in detail in his "Tale of the Miracles of the Mother of God, recently performed on the holy Mount Athos."
And finally
This image has been revered since antiquity by women of all ages. Our Lady of "Fadeless Color" (not everyone knows the meaning of the icon) evokes genuine awe and delight among the fair sex. At the subconscious level, women are drawn to her. And not in vain! Her miracles are truly immeasurable.