The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated annually on March 25 under various titles. It is also known as the Feast of the Incarnation, Conceptio Christi, and Lady Day. It is a Christian holiday commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ during his visit.
The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated by many Christian denominations, but especially by Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran congregations. In Orthodox Christianity, the holiday is one of the eight great feasts of God and a significant Marian feast.
The background of Feast of the Annunciation
The Feast of the Annunciation was first mentioned in the “Canons of the Councils of Toledo” and Constantinople. It was celebrated as early as the fourth or fifth century. Toledo’s entire church reportedly commemorated the Feast of the Annunciation in the year 656 A.D.
The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25 each year in the Roman Catholic Church, unless the date occurs during the Easter Triduum – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday – in which case it is moved to the most appropriate day during Easterside. In Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism, the date never changes, even if it occurs during Easter. When Easter and the Annunciation occur on the same day, it is known as Kyriopascha.
The Annunciation is described in the Bible from verses 26 to 38 of Luke chapter 1. The angel Gabriel was sent to meet Mary, a virgin in Nazareth, Galilee, according to the Bible. At the time, Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph.
Mary was greeted by Gabriel, who told her not to be afraid because she had found favor with God. He told her that she would bear the Son of God. When she responded that she was a virgin, he assured her that she would receive the Holy Spirit. He also informed her that her childless cousin Elizabeth would conceive a child despite her advanced age. Mary replied, “Let it be done to me in accordance with your word.” Joseph subsequently received an announcement, as detailed in Matthew 1:18.
The Feast of the Annunciation commemorates God’s entry into the human world through Jesus and Mary’s acceptance of God’s command.
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The house where Mary grew up and received the annunciation is presently located in Loreto, Italy.
The name Jesus was bestowed to Mary’s promised son in accordance with Gabriel’s instructions.
Despite being married to Joseph, the Catholic Church asserts that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire existence.
The early church selected March 25 as the date for the Feast of the Annunciation because they believed people perished on the same day they were conceived, and they believed Jesus died on that date.
Da Vinci was one of many artists who depicted the annunciation in “The Annunciation,” a detailed painting he created.
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 25 | Saturday |
| 2024 | March 25 | Monday |
| 2025 | March 25 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | March 25 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | March 25 | Thursday |
