Most Holy Theotokos "The Unfading Flower" (April 16/April 3)

The icon first appeared in Greece in the 17th century. The plot for her writing was the lines from the Akathist to the Theotokos, in which the Most Pure Virgin is called "the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity."

In the icon, the Virgin Mary embraces the Christ baby with one hand, and holds a flower in the other. Sometimes it is a rose, and most often it is a snow-white lily. This bright flower is a symbol of the Mother of God, a gift from the Archangel Gabriel on the day of the Annunciation. He testifies to the purity and integrity of the Blessed Virgin. Moreover, the purity is eternal, unfading. Sometimes even a garland of flowers or a wand entwined with flowers is depicted.

On Mount Athos there has long been an old tradition: on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, to lay on the icon "The Unfading Flower" flowering plants that miraculously do not fade and retain their fragrance for five months before the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

A fragrant flower in icon painting is a symbol of the fact that our soul is immortal, and a person can always return to a righteous life. Even if the soul is tired, it has lost its joy, as if it wilted under the weight of sins. After repentance and prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, it can bloom again.

Believers noticed that the prayer for the icon "The Unfading Flower" revives not only the soul, but also the body, helps to preserve youth and beauty for many years.

For those people who suffer from grief, longing and loneliness, the Mother of God gives strength to overcome adversity and look to the future with hope.

Girls near the image of the Virgin Mary "Unfading Flower" often pray for help in choosing a spouse and ask for happiness in family life, so that on this path at least in something like the Mother of God, to embody the best feminine qualities in this life. Therefore, the icon "The Unfading Flower" is often called the icon of brides, because it is customary to bless girls with it for marriage, but for married women, prayer in front of this image helps to cope with all the difficulties that happen in their family life.

Rejoice, O Bride of God, rejoice, mystical rod which blossomed the Unfading Flower; rejoice, O Sovereign Lady, through whom we are filled with joy and inherit life.