Practically 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, moreover, have worked wonders more than once. This is exactly what the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color" is.
History of the origin of the icon
How and when this image appeared in Russia 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 Russia 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 Blessed Virgin "Fadeless Color": the meaning of the icon
The meaning of this image is truly great. It symbolizes purity and innocence. Perhaps that is whygirls come to the icon with prayers, wanting to preserve innocence for their future spouse. By the way, with requests for the Mother of God to help choose a husband, they also turn to her. Most often, when blessing the young, it is the "Fadeless Color" that is used. The value of the icon in the family life of a woman is also very great - it helps to cope with all the hardships that fall on a difficult female lot.
Interesting
There is an opinion among the people that if you pray to the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color", then youth and beauty will not leave you for many years. And it also helps to get love and recognition from others. But this opinion was kept in strict confidence, passed down from the mother to her daughter.
The Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Fadeless Color"
What makes her so special? The canvas depicts the Mother of God, who holds a baby in her left hand, and a white lily flower in her right hand. 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 Our Lady there are roses or some other flower. By the way, many "Fadeless Color" icons are very different from each other. But there is one common motif in all of them - flowers. The Mother of God herself on all the icons, like the baby, is dressed in royal clothes.
"Fadeless color": the meaning of the icon. Legends
As you know, the origin of the icon is shrouded in mystery, but you can look into the annals or the Orthodox calendar. They have a plot according to which the image is associated with Mount Athos. Immortals grew on its slopes. But then there is a fair question: "Why are lilies painted on the icon?" According to the same sources, earlier the image of the Most Holy Theotokos "Fadeless Color" was written 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 peace.
Miracles done in this way
The icon of the Virgin "Fadeless color", the meaning is the most miraculous. After all, it is not in vain that she helps to preserve youth, get married or save a family. And many more authors tell stories in their works about how the miracles performed by the flower on the icon took place. For example, the monk Meletius writes about how the healing from the lily of the Virgin took place in 1864. He talks about this in detail in his "Tale of the Miracles of the Mother of God, which took place recently on the holy Mount Athos".
And finally
This image has been revered since antiquity by women of all ages. The Mother of God "Fadeless Color" (the meaning of the icon is not known to everyone) causes genuine awe and delight among the fair sex. On a subconscious level, women are drawn to her. And not in vain! Her wonders are truly immeasurable.
