Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Luke 1:26-38)—when the appointed time for the Savior’s coming had arrived, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin betrothed to Joseph of the house of David; the virgin’s name was Mary. He greeted her: “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Troubled by the greeting, she considered what it might mean. Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”