Every morning, Orthodox Christians turn to the Queen of Heaven in their prayer rules: “Virgin Mother of God, Rejoice, Most Gracious Mary, the Lord is with You...”.

With these words, Archangel Gabriel began a conversation with the Virgin Mary, telling Her about the secret of the incarnation of God the Word from Her. This is how one of the most important events of the New Testament happened - the Annunciation Holy Mother of God.

The day after the twelfth feast of the Annunciation, the Holy Church glorifies the Archangel Gabriel, the one who ministered to the sacrament of our Salvation.

When the Lord Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His Passion on the Cross, “And an angel appeared to Him from heaven and strengthened Him”(Luke 22:43). According to the interpretation of the Holy Fathers of the Church, the Evangelist Luke calls the Archangel Gabriel an Angel, who, strengthening Jesus Christ before suffering, fulfilled what was intended in the very meaning of His name - “The Fortress of God.”

He is one of the seven supreme angels who, according to the apocryphal book of Tobit, “offer the prayers of the saints and enter before the glory of the Holy One.”

The word “archangel” itself in Greek means “chief messenger,” and the actions of Gabriel, references to which we find in the Holy Scriptures, most correspond to this translation: he is an evangelist and messenger of God. The Archangel himself says about himself: “I am Gabriel, standing before God: and I am sent to speak to you” (Luke 1:19), which is evidence that Gabriel is unusually close to the Lord and is sent by Him to proclaim the Divine Mysteries concerning salvation of the human race.

Archangel Gabriel appeared to the prophet Daniel several times and revealed to him the secrets of the coming of the Messiah, the persecution of the Antichrist and the end of the world. He inspired Moses to write the books of Genesis: he told him about the beginning of the world and the creation of the first man Adam, told him about the life and deeds of the former patriarchs, told him about the flood and the division of languages, explained to him the location of the celestial planets and elements, taught him arithmetic, geometry and all wisdom. Archangel Gabriel announced to the righteous saints Joachim and Anna about the birth of the Virgin Mary from them.

Before the coming of the Son of God into the world, He appeared in the temple to Elder Zechariah and told him about the miraculous conception of the Forerunner. Six months later, he appeared to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth with the news of Her election to be the Mother of the Savior. He also informed the Most Holy Theotokos about Her glorious Dormition and Ascension into Heaven. The myrrh-bearing women heard the joyful news of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from two Angels, one of whom was the Archangel Gabriel.

The Church calls Archangel Gabriel “the minister of miracles.” On icons of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel is sometimes depicted with a white lily - a branch of paradise, which, according to legend, he brought to the Virgin Mary. On other icons, depending on the plot, the Archangel can hold in his hands a luminous lantern, a mirror made of jasper (jasper), a rod or a scroll.

Archangel Gabriel is in second place after Archangel Michael, the champion and conqueror of the enemies of God, and together with him is necessarily depicted in the Deesis rite of the iconostasis. Their images are located second from the “Savior in Power” after the Mother of God and the Forerunner: on the right is Michael, on the left is Gabriel.

The presence in the Deesis of two figures of archangels among the praying saints is an ancient tradition of depicting the Heavenly Powers worshiping the Savior, which Andrei Rublev followed when creating the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

On them the archangels are represented as beautiful young men. The Archangels' voluminous hairstyles are supported by ribbons, the raised ends of which symbolize readiness to heed the will of God. This is how they appear before us in the Deesis rite of the iconostasis of the temple of the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon. Archangel Gabriel - in a blue tunic and a dark red cloak. In his left hand is a staff - a symbol of the messenger, in his right hand - a transparent sphere with the letters “XC”. This is a mirror (mirror), illuminated by the light of Truth and reflecting the good and bad deeds of nations, proclaiming to people the secrets of God's economy.

Many wonderful and glorious deeds belong to the Archangel Gabriel. His merit is that the Church has acquired one of the most beloved chants among Orthodox Christians - “It is worthy to eat.” In the administrative center of Holy Mount Athos, called Kareya, there resides the miraculous image of the Mother of God “It is Worthy to Eat,” in which the miracle of finding this prayer occurred in the 10th century.

Then the icon was called “Merciful”. It was in front of her that the Athonite monk prayed together with the mysterious monk who appeared in his cell late at night. While singing the words “Most Honest Cherub,” the guest unexpectedly noticed that in their places this song is sung differently, adding before “Most Honest” the words “It is worthy to eat, as truly you are blessed, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate, and the Mother of our God.” . The Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful,” which stood in the cell, suddenly shone with a gracious light.

When the novice, feeling unspeakable joy and tenderness, asked the guest to write down the wondrous words, he inscribed them with his finger on a stone slab, which softened under his hand like wax. After this, the guest, who called himself the humble Gabriel, became invisible, and the icon continued to emit a wonderful light for some time.

So the Archangel Gabriel, sent to earth, announced to Christians a wondrous song in the name of the Mother of God - another in the series of those that people learned from the angels (“Glory to God in the Highest,” “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts,” the Trisagion “Holy God , Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us").

The messenger of God's miracles, Archangel Gabriel, first of all, announces to people that “...with God no word will remain powerless”(Luke 1:37). If we keep our souls open to God, then everything will change in our souls, everything will become light and pure: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”. (Rev. 3). The servant of God pleases God only when he obeys His will.

It must be remembered that Angels enter into communication with those who imitate them. Where sin multiplies, Angels withdraw from there.

One day an Angel of God said to Saint Pachomius the Great: “Whoever, through his bad life, has become dead to God and virtue, stinks a thousand times worse than a dead body, so that we can in no way stand or walk near.”.

Today is Friday Week of the Cross Great Lent. The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated and the Council of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served in churches.

Today we also create memory: sschmch. Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium (Sremsky); mchch. Vafusia and Verka, presbyters, priests. Arpily, mchch. Aviva, Agna, Reasa, Igafraxa, Iskoya, Sila, Sigitsa, Sonirila, Suimvla, Fermat, Filla and mcc. Anna, Alla, Larisa, Moiko, Mamika, Uirko, Animais (Animaids), Gaatha, Queen of the Goths, and Duclides (IV). St. Malchus of Syria (IV). St. Basil the New, 10th century ascetic of Constantinople. Mts. Paraskeva Kochneva, who died in 1939.

The icon of the Mother of God of Meletinsk is glorified.

We cordially congratulate everyone on celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation and congratulate the birthday people on Angel Day!

Brothers and sisters, traditionally, the day after the great holiday, the Holy Church remembers the heroes of Sacred History who directly participated in the events of the holiday and played an important role in it. Today this is Archangel Gabriel - a disembodied spirit who conveyed from God to the Virgin Mary the joyful news of the glorious conception from the Holy Spirit and the future birth from Her into the world of Jesus Christ - the Son of God. The name “Gabriel” is translated from Hebrew as “The Most High is my strength.” In the Gospel of Luke, he himself testifies to himself when he speaks to the righteous Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist: I am Gabriel, standing before God, and sent to speak with you and bring this good news to you(Luke 1:19). Saint Demetrius of Rostov calls Archangel Gabriel “the servant of the divine fortress and the exponent of the hidden mysteries of God.”

We are accustomed to talking about the hierarchy of angels, but St. John Chrysostom most correctly expressed the essence of this issue: “There are angels and archangels, thrones, dominions, principles and powers; but not only these hosts exist in heaven, but endless armies and innumerable tribes, which no word can depict.” And Saint Basil the Great makes us understand one more important thing about angels: “All angels have both one name and, of course, a common nature to all: but some of them are appointed to rule over the nations, and others to be companions to each of the faithful. But to the extent that a whole people is preferable to one person, to the same extent, without a doubt, the dignity of the angel-ruler of the people is higher than the dignity of the angel who is entrusted with the care of one person.” Of course, we cannot even imagine the height of the dignity of the Archangel Gabriel, because according to Church Tradition he is the leader of the angels along with the Archangel Michael.

A guardian angel is assigned to each of us, the Holy Scripture and many holy fathers testify to this, such as: Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Ambrose of Milan, Theodore of Edessa, Philaret of Moscow and many, many others. Here is how the great Cappadocian saint Basil writes: “An angel is assigned to each of the faithful, worthy of seeing the Heavenly Father... That with each of the faithful there is an angel who, as a teacher and shepherd, controls his life, no one will argue against this, remembering the words of the Lord: Do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven(Matt. 18:10). And the psalmist says: The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him(Ps. 33:8). The angel will not depart from all those who believe in the Lord, unless we drive him away ourselves with bad deeds. Just as smoke drives away bees and stench drives away doves, so the guardian of our life, the angel, is driven away by regrettable and stinking sin... Since each of us has a holy angel who takes up arms around those who fear the Lord, sins can become the cause of disaster: the wall will no longer cover us, that is, holy powers that make people invincible while they remain with them.”

But in order to understand how majestic these creatures are - angels, I would like to cite one episode from the life of St. Nektarios of Aegina. One day, while walking with a novice in nature near the monastery, the saint asked her: “Do you want to see your Guardian Angel?” The novice, of course, expressed a great desire. “Here he is in front of you,” answered the saint. And then the girl fainted, unable to bear what she saw. And the saint later very much regretted what happened, saying that the girl was not ready yet. Now we can imagine what degree of holiness the Blessed Virgin Mary possessed, Who spoke not with a simple angel, but with the Archangel Gabriel himself.

Of course, those who bear the name of the holy archangel were granted special grace. And not only grace, but also responsibility. After all, in order to have as a patron someone who has countless angels under his command, each of whom shines like the sun, you need to be worthy of such a patron. Just don’t be afraid of your glorious angel, don’t think that he is harsh, because they are often depicted in military attire. Saint Demetrius of Rostov wrote well about the spiritual dispensation of the saints and angels: “Do the elect and the angels have faith and hope in heaven? The angels have neither faith nor hope, because from the time they were established in grace, they saw the One in whom they must believe and in whom they must hope. They always see the face of the Heavenly Father, and there is no longer room in them for either faith or hope, for faith and hope have the invisible as their object. God's elect in heaven also have no faith and hope, because they see Him in whom they believed and have Him in whom they trusted. Both the angels and the elect have only one immortal love.”

Dear friends, let us not forget about our first intercessors, given to us at baptism - the guardian angels, and we will remember them in our prayers together with the holy saints of God, in whose honor we are baptized.

Holy Archangel Gabriel and all our holy guardian angels, pray to God for us!

Deacon Mikhail Kudryavtsev

The day of Gabriel and Vasily echoed in the folk calendar of the holiday that took place the day before. Only, unlike the Annunciation, on April 8 no one was forbidden to work, but none of the observant people would do this themselves. Because it had long been noticed that all the work done for Gabriel and Vasily was not for the future, and everything that was born on that day was insignificant and ugly. And although the young owners, who had not yet stood firmly on their feet, had been busy since the very morning, despite the covenants, the old people, looking at them, only chuckled. They knew how working for Gabriel and Vasily could end, unless that day fell on Saturday, because “there is no easier day opposite Saturday.” Although she did not always bring luck.

Archangel Gabriel was considered especially close to God. He is highly revered in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The people gave him the name Blagovest, having learned that it was Archangel Gabriel who announced the birth of Jesus to Mary. Paradoxically, the ancient Slavs had a firmly established opinion that everything that was born on this day would be ugly. They said: “What was born on the day of Gabriel is terrible and ugly.” Therefore, on April 8, they tried not to even spin, otherwise they would end up with ugly things that no one wanted to wear or buy. It was even believed that a person born on this day would have a physical defect. By the way, a similar belief existed at Christmas. Such people were often mocked and said that nothing good would come of them.

On the Day of Gabriel the Blagovest, they began to plant tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, beans, melon, and watermelons. Potatoes were also added for germination. To protect against powdery mildew and other pests, gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes were poured with boiling water. If by April 8 the snow had completely melted, then the daffodils and tulips were fed with nitrogen, and the covers were removed from the lilies and peonies.

Archangel Gabriel was often prayed to for relief from fever.

Folk signs for April 8

1. If the bird cherry blossoms, you can plant potatoes.
2. What the weather will be like on April 8th is what it will be like on October 8th, according to signs.
3. There is snow on the roofs - it will not melt for another 30 days
4. If you don’t finish the last yarn before this day, then the work will drag on for a long time, but in the near future you will need to go out into the garden and into the fields. They said: “In spring the day is long, but the thread is short.” The peasants said that lazy spinners were attacked by a disease in which their hands went numb and were taken away (dryness)
5. Bright sunrise on Archangel Gabriel Day - you can put away the sleigh, since there will be no more snow
6. Frosts on this day are a sign that spring will be cold and summer will not come soon
7. The willow has bloomed - you can put bees in the apiary
8. Where the stars shine brightest on April 8, the wind will blow from there in the morning.

The holiday of the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated annually by the Orthodox Church on April 8 (March 26, old style) and July 26 (July 13, old style).

On the day of this Christian holiday, services are held in churches. We will tell you about the traditions of the holiday, which falls in the summer.

Traditions of celebrating Archangel Gabriel Day

Gabriel is one of the seven spirits “who offer the prayers of the saints and ascend before the glory of the Holy One” (Tob. 12:15). Translated, his name means “the power of God” or “God is my strength.”

On the feast of the Council of the Archangel Gabriel, which has existed since the 9th century, believers remember his repeated appearances to the righteous and the zealous fulfillment of the Divine will.

As stated in the Holy Scriptures, he appeared to righteous Anna with the news of the upcoming birth of the Virgin Mary; brought the good news to the Virgin Mary about the future birth of Jesus Christ; announced to the righteous Zechariah about the appearance of his son - the future John the Baptist.

Gabriel also inspired the prophet Moses when writing the book of Genesis, and announced to the prophet Daniel about the future destinies of people. From Gabriel the myrrh-bearing women heard the joyful news of the Resurrection of Christ.

On Archangel Gabriel's Day, childless couples turn to him with a request to send them a child or assist in adoption. Women who are pregnant ask for a safe pregnancy and the health of the unborn child.

Prayers for the feast of the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel can protect believers from many troubles, strengthen them in faith, and show the way in difficult life situations. People turn to him with requests for healing from various diseases, protecting relatives from various troubles, and finding harmony in relationships.

Also on Archangel Gabriel Day, parishioners light candles to his icons for the repose of their loved ones, because he was a messenger of not only good news, but also messages of death.

Over several centuries, people have developed traditions of this holiday. They said about this day: “The Archangel Gabriel stepped into the grain field. The grain casts gold, good power flies from the holy sky.”

Many weather signs were associated with the feast of the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel. It was believed that if there was no precipitation on that day, then there would be no rain in the fall. And if it rained heavily, you had to worry about the harvest.

It remains for us to add that there is one more holiday, during which Archangel Gabriel is glorified along with the entire Council of Heavenly Powers.

This is the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers, celebrated by the Orthodox Church on November 21 (November 8, old style). Archangels: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel and Jeremiel.

The day after the Annunciation and July 26, according to the new style, the Orthodox Church glorifies the Archangel Gabriel. Archangel Gabriel was chosen by the Lord in order to proclaim the good news to the Virgin Mary, and with Her to all people, the great joy of the Incarnation of the Son of God. Therefore, the day after the Annunciation, having glorified the Most Pure Virgin, they thank the Lord and honor His messenger Archangel Gabriel.

The name Gabriel means "Fortress of God" or "God's Stronghold". On the icons, Archangel Gabriel is depicted with a branch of paradise that he brought to the Virgin Mary or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a mirror in his left hand.

These days, we remember all the appearances of the Archangel Gabriel: he inspired Moses when writing the book of Genesis; He announced to the prophet Daniel about the fate of the Jewish people; appeared to righteous Anna with the news of the birth of the Virgin Mary from her; the priest Zechariah announced the birth of the Forerunner of the Lord; persistently remained with the Mother of God during Her earthly life; appeared to Saint Joseph the Betrothed.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus Christ prayed, the Archangel appeared and strengthened Him before suffering. The myrrh-bearing women were the first to hear the joyful news of the Resurrection of Christ, also from Archangel Gabriel.

Archangel Gabriel is included in the host of the highest Angels - immortal disembodied spirits, servants of God, created by God before man. Holy Scripture does not particularly consider the lives of angels, reporting only about their appearances to people; The faith of Christ, which directs all the powers of the human mind and heart to God, also does not delve into the area of ​​angelology. Angels were created by God as free beings. Some of the angels took advantage of this to fall away from God (fallen angels, demons). Others remained faithful to the Creator and remained Angels of Light.

The Church teaches that the angelic world consists of nine ranks (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21, 3:10; Sol. 4:9), distinguished by their closeness to God and descending from God to the human race: Cherubim, Seraphim , Thrones, Principalities, Dominions, Powers, Powers, Archangels and Angels. Comprehension of the hierarchical structure of the angelic world is providentially hidden from people in the present age, but will be revealed in the future to the “sons of the resurrection,” who, according to the word of the Lord, will be “equal to the angels” (Luke 20:36).

By the power of their love for the Trinitarian God, the holy Angels join the life of the Holy Trinity, and by the power of love for the world and people - to the life of the world. They serve her, remaining invisible beings. Thus, between Heaven and earth, the Angels of God continually ascend and descend. The Church of Christ especially highlights and honors the two highest Angels - Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel, in view of their special participation in the destinies of humanity.

The ministry of Archangel Gabriel is providentially directed by God to the salvation of the human race, to the return of people who have fallen away from God to the Creator and Almighty. Both in Old Testament and New Testament times, Archangel Gabriel communicates to people saving knowledge from above and announces the main events in the spiritual history of mankind.

Archangel Gabriel taught the forefather Moses the scriptures in the desert, told him about the beginning of the world and the creation of the first man, and taught him all wisdom. Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Daniel and revealed the mysterious meaning of the prophecy of the seventy weeks, informing about the time of the liberation of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, as well as the time of the Incarnation (Dan. 8:16; 9:21). According to church tradition, it was Archangel Gabriel who announced to the righteous Joachim and Anna the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary from them, and to the priest Zechariah about the birth of the holy prophet John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25).

Having been sent by God to Nazareth, Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin, betrothed to righteous Joseph, and announced to Her the conception of the Son of God by overshadowing and the action of the Holy Spirit in her (Luke 1:30-35). It is believed that it was Archangel Gabriel who appeared in a dream to righteous Joseph to assure him of the sinlessness of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20-21), and when the Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, Archangel Gabriel appeared to the shepherds and announced to them about the birth of the Savior (Luke 2:8-11).

It is also believed that it was Archangel Gabriel who strengthened the Lord in His prayer on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:43) and informed the myrrh-bearing women about the Resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:5-7). Archangel Gabriel also appeared to the Mother of God when She was praying on the Mount of Olives and announced: “Your Son and our God is waiting for You with all the Archangels and Angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, with all the heavenly spirits and souls of the righteous, to take You, His Mother, to the Kingdom above, where you will live and reign with Him forever!” As a sign of the triumph of the Blessed One over bodily death, Archangel Gabriel presented Her with a heavenly branch from a date tree.

In Orthodox iconography, Saint Archangel Gabriel is usually depicted in the image of the Angel of the Good News with an olive branch in his hands - a symbol of reconciliation between God and creation. This image is placed in the temple above the Royal Doors. The Holy Church, recalling the repeated appearances of the Archangel Gabriel in the history of the Old and New Testaments, offers fervent prayers to this vigilant intercessor, intercessor and benefactor of the human race.

The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Gabriel occurs 2 times a year - April 8 And 26 July.

Temple of Gabriel the Archangel, the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates is in Arkhangelsky lane, 15a (metro station "Chistye Prudy").

July 26 - Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel The day after the Annunciation and July 26 in the new style, the Orthodox Church glorifies the Archangel Gabriel. Archangel Gabriel was chosen by the Lord in order to bring the good news to the Virgin Mary, and with Her to all people the great joy of