Holy Eucharist for the Feast of the Annunciation
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 12:00 PM
Join us to commemorate this feast day with a simple Holy Eucharist in the church at 12:00 p.m. All are welcome.
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The Annunciation--the moment when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and Mary accepted the responsibility of becoming the mother of God's Son Jesus--has been celebrated on March 25 since the very early centuries of Christianity. A tradition from the third century held that the creation of the world, the Annunciation, and the crucifixion all took place on this date. It is possible that the celebration of Christmas on December 25, precisely nine months later, has its origins in this tradition.
In years like this when March 25 falls during Holy Week, the Annunciation is transferred until after Holy Week and Easter Week.
The Annunciation is a moment frequently depicted in art and celebrated in song. The "Hail Mary" prayer, familiar to Roman Catholics and many other Christians as well, has its origins in Gabriel's salutation to Mary. Thanks to Mary's assent, the Word of God took human flesh and lived as one of us.
Image: The Annunciation, 17th cent. Ethiopian illuminated manuscript, from the collection of the Walters Art Museum
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