Annunciation of the Virgin Mary among Western Christians (25/03)

On March 25, the Catholic Church celebrates the bright holiday — Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, associated with the important gospel event — with the announcement by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the future birth of the Savior in the flesh from her.

The Gospel of Luke tells how the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to announce to Mary, the virgin betrothed to Joseph, that she would conceive from the Holy Spirit and give birth to the baby Jesus, who would become the Messiah and be called the Son of God. Embarrassed by the angel's greeting, Mary then became convinced of the veracity of his promise and expressed her faith with the words: «Let it be done to Me according to your word».

Since at least the 2nd century, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary has been seen as the first act of redemption in Christian history in which the obedience of the Virgin Mary balances Eve's disobedience (an interpretation of Irenaeus of Lyon). The day of celebration of the Annunciation was established on March 25, nine months before Christmas.

Since the 4th century, there has been another explanation for this date: redemption really had to begin with the conception of Christ on the day of the vernal equinox, which according to tradition was considered the day of the creation of the world, and on the month of the death and resurrection of Christ (Easter). In the Middle Ages, days a year were often counted from the day of the Annunciation (in England this custom remained until 1752).

The first depictions of the Annunciation scene date back to the 5th century, and subsequently the Annunciation becomes a favorite subject in Christian art and a recurring theme of Byzantine icons, medieval sculpture and Renaissance painting.

The Annunciation falls either on the days of Lent or on the week of Easter celebrations (Bright Week). Depending on this, the holiday has a special liturgy each time. The church celebration of the Annunciation is not canceled if even the holiday falls on Easter (this combination of great holidays is called «Cyriopascha»), and then the chants of the Annunciation are combined with Easter chants. If the Annunciation falls during fasting, then fasting is weakened for its sake.

The name of the holiday «Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary», established in the Middle Ages in both the East and the West, appeared relatively later. After the 2nd Vatican Council, the Catholic Church returned its earlier name — Annunciation of the Lord (Russian Catholics, due to the unusualness of such a name for the Russian tradition, call the holiday simply «Annunciation»).

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Annunciation on April 7.

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