The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos
March 25 (Julian calendar) / April 7
Dates follow the calendar tradition used by this project. Parishes using the new calendar celebrate fixed feasts on different civil dates.
The Annunciation celebrates the good news brought by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth. The feast proclaims the Incarnation of the Son of God and Mary’s free, humble acceptance of God’s call.
Meaning of the feast
“Annunciation” means the proclamation of good news. On this feast, the Church remembers the Archangel Gabriel’s message to the Virgin Mary that she would bear Jesus Christ. It celebrates the Incarnation: the Son of God becomes the Son of Man for human salvation. A hymn of the feast calls this event “the beginning of our salvation” and the revelation of the eternal mystery. The Annunciation therefore holds together deep joy at God’s nearness and reverence before the mystery of Christ.
Gospel background and Church history
The biblical account is found in Luke 1:26–38. God sends Gabriel to Nazareth, to Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph. Mary asks how the promise will be fulfilled, since she does not know a man; the angel announces the action of the Holy Spirit. Her answer, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word,” expresses trust and consent to God’s will. The Fathers of the Church understood the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15 in the light of Christ. The feast was already observed in the fourth century. The Council of Toledo mentions it in 656, and the Council in Trullo in 692 testifies that it was celebrated during Great Lent.
Spiritual meaning today
The Annunciation teaches Christians to receive God’s word with sobriety, humility, and trust rather than with thoughtless haste. The Theotokos’ response shows that human freedom can become a willing cooperation with what is good. Although the feast always falls during Great Lent, it is celebrated joyfully. The Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great or Saint John Chrysostom is served, including on Lenten weekdays. The fast is relaxed and fish is permitted. Icons of the feast commonly show Gabriel as God’s messenger and the Virgin receiving his message; a ray of light symbolically indicates the descent of the Holy Spirit.
In the Bible
Related reading
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Sources: Orthodox Church in America