Annunciation in Eastern Christianity Date in the current year: April 7, 2024

According to the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God and told her to name him Jesus. The feast of Annunciation is observed nine full months before Christmas that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Annunciation typically falls during the Great Lent that precedes Easter. On the occasion, the faithful are allowed to consume fish, oil, and wine. This is one of the two days during Lent when fish is permitted, the other being Palm Sunday. Sometimes, however, the feast of Annunciation falls on Easter or during Easter week.

In the Eastern churches, the feast of Annunciation is not moved even if it falls during Holy Week (the week before Easter), Easter Week (the week after Easter) or on Easter itself. The festal Divine Liturgy is celebrated even if the feast falls on Good Friday. If Annunciation coincides with Easter, the two feasts are celebrated jointly. Such a coincidence is known as Kyriopascha, which means “The Lord's Pascha (Easter)”.