Orthodox believers celebrate the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Today Orthodox believers celebrate one of the twelve most important feasts of the Church calendar — the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. According to the Gospel, on this day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary with the message that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In honour of this momentous event in the history of Christianity, according to tradition, solemn services are held in all churches. The priesthood wears blue vestments, the symbol of the Virgin Mary.