Annunciation

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos — Archangel Gabriel announces the Incarnation.

The Great Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the day the Archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth to announce that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. Her humble acceptance as the handmaid of the Lord opened the way for the Incarnation, and at that moment the Word of God took flesh in her womb.

Celebrated on March 25, nine months before the Nativity of Christ, the Annunciation is one of the most beloved feasts of the Theotokos. For the Greek people the day carries a double joy, as it also marks the beginning of the struggle for independence in 1821.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Annunciation is commemorated on March 25. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 7 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Evangelos, Vangelis, Vaggelis, Vagelis, Evangelis, Evangelia, Lia, Vangelitsa, Evangelina, Vangelio, Vaggelio, Evangeline

Also commemorated on March 25

• Sennouphios the Sign-Bearer

  Venerable, Σεννούφιος

  Venerable Sennouphios the Sign-Bearer of Egypt.

• Pelagia and Theodosia

  Holy Woman, Πελαγία και Θεοδοσία

  Holy Martyrs Pelagia and Theodosia.

• Demios the Martyr

  Martyr, Δήμιος

  Holy Martyr Demios.

• Timon the Hermit

  Venerable, Τίμων ο Ερημίτης

  Venerable Timon the Hermit of Nadeevo in Russia.

• Parthenios of Kiev

  Venerable, Παρθένιος του Κιέβου

  Venerable Parthenios of the Kiev Caves, hieroschemamonk.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.