Festivals and celebrationsMiddle EastChristian
Annunciation
In its own language: Ο Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου
A Christian feast marking the angel Gabriel's message to Mary about bearing Jesus, kept on 25 March.
The Annunciation is a major Christian feast that recalls the archangel Gabriel telling Mary she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus. Christians keep it on 25 March, which aligns with the spring equinox and marks the start of the incarnation. The date also served as the beginning of the new year in many places until recent centuries.
When is Annunciation kept?
Annunciation is kept every year on 25 March.
The Annunciation is a Christian feast that remembers the archangel Gabriel telling Mary she would bear Jesus. It falls on 25 March, near the spring equinox. For centuries, this date marked the start of the new year in Europe and the Middle East. Churches celebrate it with special services, and in Lebanon it remains an official public holiday.
What the feast marks
The Annunciation celebrates the moment the archangel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth. He told her she would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit and name him Jesus. Christians view this visit as the start of the incarnation, when God became human. The story comes from the Gospel of Luke, where Mary accepts the message by saying she is the Lord's servant.
When the date falls
The feast always happens on 25 March. This date sits near the spring equinox and counts as exactly nine months before Christmas. In the sixth century, a monk named Dionysius Exiguus linked the start of the Christian era to this day. Because of this link, 25 March served as New Year's Day in England and parts of Europe until the eighteenth century.
How people observe it
Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches hold special liturgies on this day. The service includes hymns that praise the incarnation and readings from scripture. In some traditions, the Angelus prayer is recited three times a day. If the feast lands during Holy Week, churches adjust the schedule so the Annunciation still receives full honor.
Sites and local customs
Christians trace the event to Nazareth in modern-day Israel. Two churches mark the spot: the Basilica of the Annunciation stands where Catholics believe Mary lived, while the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation sits near a well called Mary's Well. In Lebanon, the day is a national holiday, and in Greece it coincides with Independence Day.
How Annunciation is kept
Churches hold special services featuring hymns and scripture readings. The Angelus prayer is often recited. In Lebanon, it is a public holiday. If it falls during Holy Week, liturgies are adjusted to honor both events.
When and where
The feast falls on 25 March every year. This date marks the spring equinox and sits nine months before Christmas. Some churches using older calendars see it fall in early April on civil dates.
Christians worldwide observe the feast. It holds strong meaning in Lebanon, where it is a national holiday, and in Greece, where it matches Independence Day. The event is traced to Nazareth, where two churches mark the traditional site.
What Annunciation means
The day marks the beginning of the incarnation, when God entered human history. It represents obedience and grace, shown by Mary's acceptance of the angel's message. The date also symbolizes renewal, linking the birth of Jesus to the arrival of spring and the turning of the new year in old calendars.
Questions people ask about Annunciation
When is Annunciation kept?
Annunciation is kept every year on 25 March.
What is the Annunciation?
It is a Christian feast that remembers the archangel Gabriel telling Mary she would bear Jesus. The event marks the start of the incarnation and is celebrated on 25 March across many churches.
Why is the date 25 March important?
This date sits near the spring equinox and counts as exactly nine months before Christmas. Historically, it marked the start of the new year in England and parts of Europe until calendar reforms changed the year to begin in January.
Where did the Annunciation happen?
Christians believe it occurred in Nazareth. Two churches in the town mark the site: one near Mary's home and another near a well known as Mary's Well.
Is it a public holiday anywhere?
Yes, it is an official national holiday in Lebanon. In Greece, the date also serves as Greek Independence Day, combining the religious feast with civic celebration.
See also
AdventA four-week Christian season of waiting and preparation for Christmas and the Second Coming.
April Fools' DayAn annual day of lighthearted pranks, hoaxes and teasing kept on the first of April
Christmas marketA seasonal street market held during Advent in German-speaking regions and beyond, featuring stalls, food, and crafts.
HıdırellezA spring festival marking the meeting of two prophets, celebrated across Turkey and the Balkans.Good reading and sources
- Annunciation on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Annunciation", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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