Feast Day: April 3rd
The Unfading Flower Icon of the Mother of God : The lilies symbolize the unfading flower of virginity and purity of the Mother of God, to whom the Church sings: “You are the root of virginity and the Unfading Flower of purity.”
A Prayer
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.
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. 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.
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“The rose does not speak, but puts forth a strong fragrance. We too, should put forth fragrance, pour forth Spiritual fragrance, the fragrance of Christ. The fragrance of our deeds should be heard from far around: good, pure, and righteous deeds, full of love. Only thus can the Kingdom of God appear within our hearts, appearing not through words, but with power. Amen.” – Saint Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopol
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