Annunciation
In Christianity, the Annunciation (Greek Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου) is the revelation to The Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel that she would conceive a child to be born the Son of God. The Christian churches celebrate this with the feast of Annunciation on March 25, which is nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Jesus, or Christmas.
The Annunciation in the Bible
The archangel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth in Galilee, to the virgin Mary, and announced to her that she had been chosen by God to bear His son, Jesus. She asked how that would be, since she was a virgin. The angel replied that she would conceive through the Holy Spirit. She consented, saying "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Eastern traditions
In Eastern Orthodoxy Mary is referred to as Theotokos. This is a traditional Eastern Orthodox hymn for the day of the Annunciation:
- Today is the beginning of our salvation,
- The revelation of the eternal mystery!
- The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
- As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
- Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
- Rejoice, O Full of Grace,
- The Lord is with You!
Miscellaneous
The Annunuciation was the subject of a painting by Dominikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco).
External links
- 'The Annunciation' by Edward Burne-Jones at the Lady Lever Art Gallery
- Read the account (Luke Ch.1 26-55) at Bible Gateway (various versions)
- The Annunciation Icons (mostly Russian)
- Feast of the Annunciation at the Catholic Encyclopedia
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