Monday, July 13

Apostolic

Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

The archangel of the Annunciation

On the day after the Annunciation, the Church gathers — the meaning of 'synaxis' — to honour the messenger of the mystery: Gabriel, whose name means 'God is my strength.' It is an ancient liturgical instinct that after a great feast we thank the one who served it. Scripture gives Gabriel a singular ministry of announcement. He interprets the visions of the prophet Daniel concerning the coming of the Anointed One; he stands in the Temple to tell Zechariah that the aged Elizabeth will bear the Forerunner, John; and in the sixth month he is sent to a virgin in Nazareth with the greeting on which history turns: 'Rejoice, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.' Tradition also sees Gabriel in the unnamed angels of the Nativity night and the empty tomb. In the icons he carries a lily or a staff of authority — the courtier of heaven, bowing before a girl who answered, 'Be it unto me according to thy word.'

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