"There could be no Resurrection without the Annunciation. There could be no result of a deed if it was not started. On this day we celebrate the beginning of human salvation.” That is how theologian Prof. Ivan Zhelev describes the place the holiday occupies in the calendar of Orthodox Christians. On this day, Archangel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. On this day the news of the Incarnation and that the Savior will come among the people to spread his word and wisdom is spread.

Although more than two thousand years separate us from the event of the Annunciation, each person can become a bearer of the good news for people who have closed their eyes and ears to it. "Sometimes we are our greatest enemies," theologian Prof. Ivan Zhelev says. "That's why the good news must always be spread." In this way, people's eyes, ears, and hearts can open to welcome the Savior. Because Salvation is not just a philosophical concept, but a personal reality for everyone.”

In the past, Annunciation was also celebrated as Mother's Day. Unfortunately, these days in secular life the holiday has lost this nuance.

"The Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we call the Mother of God, is a role model for women and mothers. She devoted all her life to be of help to her divine Son and she lived not with pride but with responsibility of her motherhood. Purity, humility and dignity are qualities needed by each person," Prof. Zhelev says in an interview with Radio Bulgaria, which you can find in the article "Annunciation is foretelling Christ's Resurrection".

Because of reverence for God's Wisdom, which comes to save humanity, the day of the Annunciation is also the day of one of the oldest architectural masterpieces in the Balkans – the church of St. Sophia. The church is emblematic of the capital city, which is believed to have started being called Sofia during the 14th century.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova

English: Alexander Markov