The Annunciation of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Church. It is when the Archangel Gabriel is sent by God to the Virgin Mary to announce to her the good news: that she was chosen by God to bring to the world the Savior Jesus Christ, saying: "Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
The Virgin Mary had lived her whole life in the Holy of Holies since her parents brought her to the Temple as a little three year old girl. She had dedicated her purity to God. Mary also had faith in God that He would keep His promise to send the Messiah to the world Whom everyone was expecting. So with boldness and with humility she asked the Archangel, "How can this be, when I am dedicated to God and have no husband?" And the Archangel explained to her that God would send down the Holy Spirit and the Son of God would dwell in her.
Archangel Gabriel also told her that her cousin Elizabeth, who could not have children all her life, was now expecting a baby in her old age."Because," the Archangel said, "there is nothing impossible for God." Then Mary bowed her head in obedience and said to the Archangel, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be according to His will." With those words, the Holy Spirit visited the Virgin Mary so that she can become the Mother of Christ, the Son of God.
Mary right away went to share this good news with Elizabeth, her cousin who lived in another town. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting she exclaimed with joy: "How is it that the Mother of my Lord comes to visit me?" And then Elizabeth told Mary that when she heard her voice, her baby leaped in her womb for joy. That baby was St. John, the Forerunner of Christ. And then Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord...for He has worked great things in me and holy is His name...for behold from now all generations shall call me blessed."
This is true because from that time on, all Christians love, honor, and pray to the Mother of God, who loves us, prays for us always, and protects us. This is a great feast because the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin Mary to save the world.
Απολυτίκιον
Σήμερον της σωτηρίας ημών το κεφάλαιον
και του απ' αιώνος μυστηρίου η φανέρωσις.
Ο Υιός του Θεού Υιός της Παρθένου γίνεται
και Γαβριήλ την χάριν ευαγγελίζεται.
Διό και ημείς συν αυτώ τη Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν:
Χαίρε, Κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά Σου.
Dismissal Hymn
Today is the fountainhead of our salvation
and the manifestation of the mystery which was from eternity.
The Son of God becometh the Virgin's Son
and Gabriel proclaimeth the tidings of joy.
Wherefore let us also with him cry out to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, Thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee.
