Painting by Ludovico Lipparini, Creative Commons. Annunciation (1475–1480), Uffizi, is thought to be Leonardo da Vinci’s earliest complete work. Annunciation in Eastern Christianity Date in the current year: April 7, 2020 The feast of Annunciation of the Virgin Mary is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Francis J. Connell C.SS.R. We warmly invite you to join us during any of our worship services. All are welcome! The Lord is with you. What was her prayer as she pondered these words and listened to Gabriel’s explanations? St. DismasSaint Dismas (sometimes spelled Dysmas or only Dimas, or even Dumas), also known as the Good Thief or the Penitent Thief, is the apocryphal name given to one of the thieves who was crucified alongside Christ according to the Gospel of Luke 23:39-43: St. Margaret ClitherowSt. To understand why this is such a big day for Greece, you need to keep in mind the date’s twin significance–religious and national. This tradition dates back to the 15th century, when salted cod was introduced to Greece, solving a practical problem: yes, the Church allowed fish to be consumed on the Annunciation. And about your fish celebration dish, interestingly in the Middle Ages they had to give up meat for the duration of Lent, and the only thing they could eat instead was fish, so there are records of people moaning about having to eat too much fish and they couldn’t wait until the end of the fasting period. March 2008. Despite the fact that it usually falls smack in the middle of Lent (Sarakosti), the 40-day fasting period leading to Easter, the traditional Annunciation dish is fried cod, served with a garlic-based dip. In 1453, Constantinople fell. The AnnunciationA tradition, which has come down from the apostolic ages, tells us that the great mystery of the Incarnation was achieved on the twenty-fifth day of March. Filled with this same spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, may we study to love what they loved, carry out in our lives their teachings, and listen to the Divine Voice calling to us in this time and in this place. Margaret was raised a Protestant but converted to Catholicism about two to three years after she was married. The traditional hymn (Troparion) for the feast of the Annunciation goes back to St Athanasius. “They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory, tell of your wonderful deeds.” – Psalm 145. The readings from Holy Scripture for this day are: Isaiah 8:13-9:7 (6th Hour), Genesis 6:9-22 (Vespers, 1st reading), Proverbs 8:1-21 (Vespers, 2nd reading), Exodus 3:1-8 (Vespers, 3rd reading), Proverbs 8:22-30 (Vespers, 4th reading), Luke 1:39-49, 56 (Matins Gospel), Hebrews 2:11-18 (Epistle), and Luke 1:24-38 (Gospel). May each of us listen to the Divine Voice calling to us, today and every day. Or is it one of those phrases we hear or say while on automatic pilot, not really giving it any thought? Let us assist, in spirit, at this wonderful interview between the angel and the Virgin: and, at the same time, let us think of that other interview which took place between Eve and the serpent. Prayers of the Hours: 8:45AM* The title of this piece, The Annunciation to Mary – Lily and Violet, refers to the legend that when the archangel Gabriel appeared, he held a lily in his hand in recognition of Mary’s purity. May we trust and believe that the Lord is with us. Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books! What was it like for Mary to hear those words from the angel Gabriel? Because the original structure was so small and unable to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, the church was rebuilt in 390. The Feast of the Annunciation. » Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books! Fascinating post, Nicholas, and a beautiful hymn. Annunciation (1475–1480), Uffizi, is thought to be Leonardo da Vinci’s earliest complete work. Do we consciously hear it? A traditional food for this day is waffles. For the feast commemorates the most sublime moment in the history of time, the moment when the Second Divine Person of the most Holy Trinity assumed human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. … Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.