259
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[Image:Annunciation.jpg|right|frame|The Annunciation to the Theotokos]]
The '''Annunciation''' (or Evangelismos in Greek) to the [[Theotokos]] is one of the [[Great Feasts]] of the [[Orthodox Church]], celebrated on [[March 25]]. Greeks also celebrate [[Greek Independence Day]] this day. This is one of only two days during [[Lent]], the other being [[Palm Sunday]], when fish is permitted.
According to the [[Gospel of Luke]] 1:26-38, the [[Archangel Gabriel]] appeared to [[Theotokos|Mary]] to announce to her that she would conceive and bear a son, even though she "knew no man." This date According to holy tradition Mary had come home to her parents when she was selected only fifteen when she was visited by the [[Church Fathers]] to be exactly nine months ahead of [[Nativity|Christmas]], indicating that Christ was conceived in perfection at that time "of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]," as stated in the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]Gabriel.
This date was selected by the [[Church Fathers]] to be exactly nine months ahead of [[Nativity|Christmas]], indicating that Christ was conceived in perfection at that time "of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]," as stated in the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]].
Many men and women in Greece are named for this event and celebrate their name day on this date.
*Greek: Evangelia (f) and Evangelos (m)
*English Evangelilne (f) and Evan and Angelo (m)
== Greek Traditions ==
Many people make a [[pilgrimage]] as a special tribute to the [[Theotokos]] on the island of Tinos. Thousands of pilgrims jam the docks and city streets to visit the [[Church of Evangelistria (Tinos, Greece)]] that safeguards a miraculous healing [[icon]] of the [[Theotokos]]. Revealed in a vision, it was found buried in a field in 1823, and the church was built to house it. Pilgrims bring items of precious metals and other gifts to leave at the church. On [[August 15]] ([[Dormition of the Theotokos]]) and [[March 25]] the icon is carried through town in a grand procession.
{{stub}}
[[Category:Feasts]]
