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Feast of the Annunciation

Background

The Annunciation is one of the seven major feasts in the Coptic church. It commemorates the announcement of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she should conceive and give birth to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

According to the Coptic Synaxarium, this festival, which has been observed since the early centuries of Christianity, falls on 29 Paremhotep, nine months before the nativity of Jesus on 29 Koiahk. As this occurs during the Holy Great Fast preceding the Feast of the Resurrection, it is celebrated with due rejoicing but without breaking the fast, though it is a major feast. 

The account of the Annunciation as related in Luke 1:26-38 reflects the humility and willing submission of the Virgin Mary to God's will, in clear contrast to Zecharias’ skepticism in reaction to the angel's identical message concerning his wife, Elizabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist.

The Late Archbishop Basillious

Spiritual Application 

“I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:38

This feast is related to the story of salvation, this is why it is one of the seven major feasts. It’s placement in the Holy Great Fast makes it seem out of place, but is a reminder of what is to come in 9 months with the birth of Christ. It can still remain consistent with our fasting during the Holy Great Fast by focusing on the spiritual reminder given to us. St. Mary in her humility was prepared to receive God the Word, calling herself a servant to God even after anticipating that she will have Him dwelling in her. With her faithful heart, she was willing to yield and trust in the process of having Him dwell within her. We can benefit from this aspect during the fast and prepare for His dwelling within us that is to come by practicing humility and faithfulness to however God chooses to get us there, and trusting the process. 

Spiritual exercise

Tell God that you are in His hands and that you are willing to faithfully maintain the spiritual process of repentance and prayer throughout this time so that He may fill you with His Grace and dwell within you.

Rites

The Annunciation Feast is prayed using the Joyful Tune. The Divine Liturgy is prayed in the same way as the other Major Feasts, with the responses and hymns specific to the feast. If the feast falls within the Great Holy Fast, the feast rituals are still practiced in the same way, however the church remains fasting without prostrations or abstaining. If the feast lands within Holy Week, it is commemorated without altering any of the solemn observances.

Hymns

Verses of Cymbals

  • Hail to Gabriel, the great archangel. Hail to him who announced, to Mary the Virgin.

  • Hail to you, who has found grace: the Lord is with you. Hail to you who accepted from the angel: the joy of the world.

  • He bowed the heaven of heavens. He came to the womb of the Virgin. He became man like us: except only for sin.

  • Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, in one hypostasis, we worship Him and glorify Him.

  • O King of peace...

    doxology

  • The father looked down from heaven ,to those who dwell on earth. He found no one like Mary the Virgin.

  • He sent to her Gabriel the great archangel. He announced to her, with joy saying:

  • “Hail to you O full of grace, the Lord is with you. You have found grace, before God the Father.”

  • “Behold you will conceive, and give birth to a Son. He will be called Jesus, the Son of the Most High.”

  • “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob, forever and ever.”

  • “And also His kingdom will have no end. And after you will give birth to Him, you will remain a virgin.”

  • The Virgin Mary answered, “I am the handmaiden of the Lord, be it to me according to your word.” And the angel departed.

  • We worship You O Christ, for you have loved our race, and came to the womb of the Virgin, and was incarnate from her.

  • We praise and glorify You, and exalt You above all, as the Good One and Lover of Mankind, have mercy upon us according to Your great mercy.

  • Alleluia (4), Jesus Christ the Son of God, was incarnate of the Virgin.

intercession verse

  • Through the intercession of the holy Archangel Gabriel the Evangel, O Lord...

acts Response

  • Hail to her who has found grace, the Lord is with you. Hail to her who received from the angel, the joy of the world.

psalm response

  • Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was incarnate of the Virgin. Alleluia, Alleluia.

gospel response

  • Alleluia (4). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was incarnate of the Virgin.

  • This is He to whom is due glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

psalm 150 response

  • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was incarnate of the Virgin.

conclusion

  • We proclaim and say, O our Lord Jesus Christ, who was incarnate of the Virgin, save us and have mercy on us...