The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the greatest Christian holidays, has a special meaning for both Catholics and Orthodox. This holiday is celebrated on March 25 according to the new calendar, and it ranks third in importance among Christian holidays, after Easter and Christmas.
The story of the Annunciation is connected with the archangel Gabriel, who, according to the Gospel of Luke, brings good news to the Virgin Mary. The Archangel tells that she will have a Son who will become the Savior of mankind. To believe in this, the Virgin Mary had to accept the will of God, and, according to the belief, she became the mother of Jesus Christ.
The calendar change in Ukraine took place on September 1, 2023, when the Local Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) switched to the New Julian calendar. Thus, most church holidays are now celebrated 13 days earlier. The joint date of the Annunciation of 2024 was March 25.
Festive celebrations are aimed at reminding believers about the coming of the Son of God to Earth, associated with the immaculate conception of Jesus Christ and are intended to bring people closer to the mystery of the incarnation.
The Feast of the Annunciation is also marked by fasting, but some relaxation of the rules allows for the inclusion of fish and seafood in the diet, as well as hot dishes with oil and wine.
On this day, it is important to celebrate it in the temple, turn to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness for sins. Conflicts and quarrels are prohibited, and joy and communication with relatives and friends are the key to a festive mood.
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the birth of Jesus Christ, carries deep sacred meaning, reminding believers of the most important events in Christian history.
