What "Rose the Amaranth" symbolizes
The Unfading Rose of the Virgin Mary, the Amaranth Rose also known as the "Rose of the Virgin" or the "Immortal Rose of the Resurrection," or "the Rose of Jericho" symbolizes eternity and incorruptibility, the immortal essence of the soul!
The Apostle Paul mentions that «For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing» (2 Corinthians 2:15), meaning Christ is the «Rose the Amaranth» and those who come near to the Lord, experience a heavenly fragrance.
How the Amaranth Rose is connected to the Virgin Mary and Christ
Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for our salvation. He is the Rose of Salvation, the pure, undefiled flower that blossomed in the barren and sinful Earth. Despite humanity's pollution, He came to Earth and remained immaculate. This occurred because He originated from the Ever-Virgin Mary, without the hereditary defilement of the Fall.
And the Theotokos is the Amaranth Rose, the unwithering rose. God distinguished and chose her among the multitude of people and sin. God sought to find fragrance and wonderful scent in the world and found it in the face of the Virgin Mary. For this reason, she is called “Rejoice, birth-giver of the aromatic balm of the King of all” , that is the fragrance of Christ.
The Virgin Mary is the flower that does not wither and remains spotless and perfectly pure forever. Neither time can wear her down, nor the blasphemies of the impious people.
What the icon of the Virgin Mary of Roses depicts
The icon of the Virgin Mary of Roses depicts Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus in her arms and with her other hand, holding a rose. At the bottom of the holy icon, there are multiple roses, which are in shades of red and pink.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary of Roses was found
The way in which the holy icon of our Lady of Roses was found, was miraculous.
According to residents in the area of Piraeus, Greece, the icon was discovered between 1890 AD and 1895 AD. It all began when a fisherman, during his fishing, found the holy icon near the cliffs of Piraeus.
Once the news spread in the area, a devout family named Katsaros wanted to provide shelter for the protection of the icon. Thus, on their own initiative, they undertook the construction of a private chapel, which they named Theotokos Rose the Amaranth.
Find here: Hand Painted Byzantine Icon with the Virgin Mary of Roses.
The miracle with the infectious disease
During the summer of 1895, an epidemic of smallpox broke out in Piraeus, which had very low recovery rates. This caused great distress among the residents and led them to relocate to other areas to survive.
Those who found themselves in the unfortunate position to be affected by this disease, either did not survive or were transferred to the Kantharos Hospital. There, individuals with other infectious diseases, such as pestilence, were also hospitalized.
As the number of deaths from the contagious disease increased, the faithful sought their only hope for salvation. They visited the Church of the Virgin Mary of Roses and prayed in front of the holy icon.
As days passed, the residents of the area realized that none of them had been infected, nor had the neighboring areas. This news spread and led to a public invitation for the litany of the holy icon.
Indeed, a multitude of believers gathered outside the church, praying and entreating for the disease to be removed. And it happened so. Deaths decreased and the disease was eradicated. This was a great miracle of the holy icon of the Virgin Mary of Roses.
When our Lady of Roses celebrates
The Synaxis of the Virgin Mary of Roses is celebrated on April 3rd every year.
Find here: Icon with the Virgin Mary of Roses.
