The Summary of Salvation

Because of the penitent nature of Great Lent, when there is a feast day such as the feast of St George, the feast is transferred (delayed) to a day after Pascha. It is believed that such feasts are too joyous to celebrate during such a somber period. It is believed even the Feast of Transfiguration (believed historically to have taken place 40 days before Pascha) is transferred to August. One feast, though, holds strong in March.

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, the day celebrates the Good News from Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that God was going to be born from her, and all this is for our salvation. The hymn for the Annunciation says,

Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join Him, and cry aloud to the Theotokos; “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (Translation from AGES Initiatives)

The entire purpose of Great Lent is to prepare for Pascha, which could never have taken place if the Virgin Mary had not accepted the good news from the Archangel. For this reason, even in the midst of Great Lent, today is a feast. Fish, wine and oil are consumed (we’re still abstaining from meat, eggs and dairy) in celebration.

There is an additional benefit from today’s feast. With the fast being eased a bit, we are able to gain some strength for the weeks ahead. Our next “stop” for a feast will be the end of Great Lent on Palm Sunday, but for today, enjoy the feast. We will continue our Daily Lenten Journey tomorrow with “Serving Others in Public” to complete our going public theme this week.