The 25th March celebrates the annunciation of the Virgin Mary in the Church calendar.
The Annunciation refers to the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would become pregnant with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit1, an event recorded in Luke’s Gospel. The angel appeared to Mary in the town of Nazareth in Galilee, and though Mary was initially troubled by his greeting, Gabriel reassured her that she had received God’s favour.
The angel’s message carried profound significance. He told Mary she would bear a son named Jesus who would be called the Son of the Most High and would receive the throne of David. When Mary questioned how this could happen given her virginity, the angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her, making the child holy and the Son of God. The announcement itself marked the moment when the Incarnation of God the Word actually occurred, not merely a future promise.
Mary’s response differed from that of Zacharias—she did not express doubt but rather asked how the event would occur, accepting the fact while seeking understanding of its manner. According to Catholic tradition, Mary had made a vow of virginity, which she was willing to surrender at God’s command. Mary ultimately consented by declaring herself the Lord’s servant and accepting God’s word.
The Orthodox and Western churches commemorate this event on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas. While the Annunciation feast honours both Christ and Mary, it is primarily understood as a celebration of Mary, distinguishing it from Christmas, which focuses on Christ’s birth.
Luke 1:26–38 (WEB (Int.))
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you amongst women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
38 Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.