Background

The Annunciation is one of the seven major feasts in the Coptic church. It commemorates the announcement of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she should conceive and give birth to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. According to the Coptic Synaxarium, this festival, which has been observed since the early centuries of Christianity, falls on 29 Paremhotep, nine months before the nativity of Jesus on 29 Koiahk. As this occurs during the Holy Great Fast preceding the Feast of the Resurrection, it is celebrated with due rejoicing but without breaking the fast, though it is a major feast. The account of the Annunciation as related in Luke 1:26-38 reflects the humility and willing submission of the Virgin Mary to God's will, in clear contrast to Zecharias’ skepticism in reaction to the angel's identical message concerning his wife, Elizabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist.

Rites

The Annunciation Feast is prayed using the Joyful Tune. The Divine Liturgy is prayed in the same way as the other Major Feasts, with the responses and hymns specific to the feast. If the feast falls within the Great Holy Fast, the feast rituals are still practiced in the same way, however, the church remains fasting without prostrations or abstaining. If the feast lands within Holy Week, it is commemorated without altering any of the solemn observances.

Hymns

Verses of Cymbals

Hail to Gabriel, the great archangel, hail to him who announced, to the Virgin Mary.

السلام لغبريـال، رئيس الملائكة العظيم، السلام للذي بشَّر، مريم العذراء

Hail to you who has found grace, the Lord is with you, hail to you who accepted from the angel, the joy of the world

السلام للتي وجدت نعمة، الرب معكِ، السلام للتي قبلت من الملاك، فرح العالم

He bowed the heaven of heavens, and came to the womb of the Virgin, He became man like us, except for sin alone.

طأطأ سماء السموات، وجاء إلى بطن العذراء، وصار إنساناً مثلنا، ما خلا الخطية وحدها

O King of peace...

Doxology

The Father looked down from heaven, to those who dwell on the earth, He found no one like, Mary the Virgin.

تطلع الآب من السماء، على سكان الأرض، فلم يجد من يُشبه، مريم العذراء

+ He sent her Gabriel, the great archangel, to announce to her with joy, in this manner saying.

+ أرسل إليها غبريال، رئيس الملائكة العظيم، فبشرها بفرح، قائلاً هكذا

"Hail to you O full of grace, the Lord is with you, you have found grace, before God the Father.

"السلام للممتلئة نعمة، الرب معكِ، وجدتِ نعمة، عند الله الآب.

+ Behold you will conceive, and give birth to a Son, He will be called Jesus, the Son of the Most High.

+ لأنكِ ها ستحبلين، وتلدين إبناً، ويدعى إسمه يسوع، إبن العليْ

The Lord God will give Him, the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob´s house, forever and ever.

ويعطيه الرب الإله، كرسي داود أبيه، ويملك على بيت يعقوب، إلى أبد الأبد.

+ And also His kingdom, will have no end, and after He was born from you, you will remain a virgin."

+ ولا يكون، لملكه نهاية، وبعد أن تلديه، تظلي عذراء"

The Virgin Mary answered, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word," and the angel departed.

فأجابت مريم العذراء، "هوذا أنا أمة للرب، ليكن لي كقولك،" فمضى الملاك

+ We worship You O Christ, for You have loved our race, and came to the Virgin´s womb, and was incarnate from her.

+ نسجد لك أيها المسيح، لأنك أحببت جنسنا، وأتيت إلى بطن العذراء، وتجسدت منها

Alleluia (4), Jesus Christ the Son of God, was incarnate from the Virgin.

هلليلويا (4)، يسوع المسيح إبن الله، تجسد من العذراء

+ This is He who is worthy of glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

+ هذا الذي ينبغي له المجد، مع أبيه الصالح، والروح القدس، من الآن وإلى الأبد

Intercession Verse

Through the intercessions, of the holy archangel, Gabriel the announcer, O Lord...

...بشفاعات، رئيس الملائكة الطاهر، غبريال المبشر، يا رب أنعم

Acts Response

Hail to you who has found grace, the Lord is with you, hail to you who accepted from the angel, the joy of the world

السلام للتي وجدت نعمة، الرب معكِ، السلام للتي قبلت من الملاك، فرح العالم

Blessed are You indeed, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have come and saved us. Have mercy upon us.

مبارك أنت بالحقيقة، مع أبيك الصالح، والروح القدس، لأنك أتيت وخلصتنا

Psalm Response

Alleluia alleluia, Jesus Christ the Son of God, was incarnate from the Virgin, alleluia alleluia.

هلليلويا هلليلويا، يسوع المسيح إبن الله، تجسد من العذراء

Gospel Response

Alleluia (4), Jesus Christ the Son of God, was incarnate from the Virgin.

هلليلويا (4)، يسوع المسيح إبن الله، تجسد من العذراء

This is He who is worthy of glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

هذا الذي ينبغي له المجد، مع أبيه الصالح، والروح القدس

Conclusion

The Son of God, was incarnate from the Virgin.

إبن الله، تجسد من العذراء