Orthodox Church celebrates Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos
Annunciation Icon. Photo: blagovist.info
On April 7 (March 25 according to the Julian calendar), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos – one of the twelve great feasts of the ecclesiastical year. This day commemorates how the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced to her the good news of the forthcoming birth of the Savior of the world.
According to the Gospel of Luke, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to the city of Nazareth to the Virgin Mary with the words: “Rejoice, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” Mary was troubled by this greeting.
The Archangel continued: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God; and behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”
Mary said to the angel: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” The Archangel Gabriel answered: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” As confirmation of his words, the angel told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, who had been considered barren, had also conceived a son in her old age.
Then Mary humbly replied: “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the Archangel Gabriel departed from her.
The feast often falls during Great Lent, in which case a certain relaxation of fasting rules is usually permitted. However, this year the Annunciation is celebrated on Holy Tuesday, and therefore fish is not allowed at the meal.
Troparion of the Annunciation, Tone 4
“Today is the beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the mystery from eternity: the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces grace. Therefore, with him let us cry out to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.”
Kontakion of the Annunciation, Tone 8
“To you, the Champion Leader, we your servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving, as ones delivered out of evils, O Theotokos; but as you have invincible might, free us from every danger, that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.”
Magnification of the Annunciation
“With the voice of the Archangel we cry to you, O Pure One: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.”
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