Forefeast of the Annunciation

Commemorated on March 24.

The Feast of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on one day March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ. There is one day of Prefeast (March 24), followed by the Feast itself. On March 26, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel.

Because the Feast of the Annunciation falls during Great Lent, there is no Postfeast of the Feast.

Troparion

Today the beginning of universal joy moves us to sing the prefestal hymn;
for Gabriel is coming and will cry to her:
"Rejoice, O Virgin full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion

(Greek)
At the great Archangel’s voice, O Theotokos,
the All-holy Spirit came upon thee
and thou didst conceive Him Who is one in essence and co-enthroned with God the Father,
O you who are the recall of Adam.