ANNUNCIATION TO ST. MARY AND THE DAY OF MOTHERHOOD
Aysor
April 7 2010
Armenia
On April 7, the Armenian Church celebrates one of its greatest feasts
– the Annunciation to St. Mary. In the Gospel of Luke we learn that
the Angel Gabriel brings the good news to the Virgin about the birth
of the Savior (Lk 1:26-38).
According to Holy Tradition and the Evangelist, the Angel Gabriel
appears to St. Mary while reading a passage from the prophecy of
Isaiah, in which it is written about the birth of the Emmanuel from
a Virgin. The Angel greets Mary, telling her, Â"Fear not, Mary:
for you have found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in
your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His Name JESUSÂ",
Araratyan Patriarchal Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church says.
The Angel Gabriel further explains to Mary, Â"The Holy Sprit shall
come upon you, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow you,
therefore also that which is Holy which shall be born of you shall
be called the Son of God.Â" St. Mary could foresee the torments
and sufferings that she would endure. However, by giving mankind
an excellent example of obedience to the Divine Will, she said,
Â"I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said. Â"
Beginning from the moment when the Holy Virgin expressed these words,
she was with child.
This Gospel story is one expression of why the Armenian Church accords
high honor to motherhood, and appreciates the role of women in family
life, and the lives of mankind.
Upon the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast of the Annunciation to
the Virgin Mary is proclaimed as a day of Â"Blessing of Motherhood
and BeautyÂ". On that day, a special blessing service is conducted
in the Armenian Churches.
April 7 is celebrated as the Day of Motherhood and Beauty in Armenian
Republic.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
