Great Lent on this day is not so strict
The Annunciation is one of the 12 major holidays of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Despite the period of Great Lent, this day brings important relief and spiritual joy to the faithful.
For more details on the significance of this holiday, what it was previously called, what day it falls on today, and what liturgical features it has, read the material from RBC-Ukraine below.
Also read: April 5 or 12? When is Easter 2026 in Ukraine and where did the two dates come from
Main points:
- Date of the holiday: The OCU celebrates the Annunciation according to the “new” style – the new Julian calendar.
- Church tradition: The Annunciation is celebrated exactly 9 months before the Nativity of Christ.
- Symbolism: The day of the Annunciation reminds us of the “good news” and the beginning of humanity’s salvation.
- Relief from fasting: Despite the strict fasting period, on this day the church statute lifts one of the main food prohibitions.
- Liturgical features: For the greatness of the revered event, a full liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is performed.
The significance of the Annunciation holiday
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, is one of the 12 greatest church holidays.
On this day, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine commemorates the event when the archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the long-awaited joyful news (“good news”) of the Incarnation – that she would become the mother of the Savior of the world.
The OCU previously explained that this event:
- marked the beginning of humanity’s liberation from sin and eternal death;
- opened the path for human salvation.
Meanwhile, the Annunciation is also considered a symbol of the final arrival of spring, as “God blesses the earth and it awakens from its winter sleep.”
What the Annunciation was called in the past
The modern name of the holiday, the Annunciation (from the Greek Ευαγγγελισμος – “good news” or the Latin Annuntiatio – “announcement”), began to be used in church vocabulary about 600-700 years after the Nativity of Christ.
Meanwhile, the celebration of the Annunciation began in the Eastern Church in the late 4th or early 5th century.
“In the early centuries, this holiday was considered a Lord’s feast, both in the East and the West,” the OCU stated.
It is clarified that its original names indicate this, such as: “Conception of Christ,” “Annunciation of Christ,” “Beginning of Redemption,” “Annunciation,” “Annunciation of the Angel to Mary,” “Day of Greeting,” “Day or Feast of the Annunciation.”
“Only in the 7th century was the current name established for the entire Eastern Church: the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos,” the OCU informed the public.
When is the Annunciation in 2026
According to the OCU, the day of the Annunciation is exactly 9 months before the Nativity of Christ (which is celebrated according to the new Julian church calendar on December 25).
“The Annunciation is a great feast of the Mother of God, one of the 12 major feasts of the church year, which is fixed, meaning its date does not change,” the faithful were reminded.
It is also noted that although this holiday falls during Great Lent, it:
- is never postponed or canceled;
- allows the consumption of fish.
“It has one day of pre-festivity and one day of post-festivity, during which the Synaxis of the archangel Gabriel is celebrated,” the OCU added.
Therefore, this year the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos falls on Wednesday, March 25.
The Annunciation in the Orthodox Church calendar (screenshot: pomisna.info)
Liturgical features of the Annunciation holiday
The OCU reported that in terms of liturgical features, the Annunciation holiday is similar to:
- the feast of the Nativity of Christ;
- the feast of Theophany.
“The liturgy of the early gifts is not served on this day, but for the greatness of the revered event a full liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is performed,” they shared with the public.
A liturgy according to the rite of St. Basil the Great may also be performed (if the holiday occurs on days when it is customary to do so).
The OCU celebrates the Annunciation on March 25 (infographic: facebook.com/Orthodox.in.Ukraine)
Where to find festive services online
In conclusion, it is worth noting that festive services can usually be found online at:
- the official page of the OCU “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” on Facebook;
- the official YouTube channel “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
“The service on the Annunciation is full of solemn, majestic, and joyful hymns. The well-known greeting exclamation of the angel: ‘Rejoice!’ is repeated many times here. And we, rejoicing in spirit and honoring the Virgin, celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos,” the OCU summarized.
Recall that the OCU previously explained whether an online broadcast can replace going to church and whether new endeavors can be started on major holidays.
Also read about how to ask for a blessing from a priest and when exactly this can be done.
The following sources were used in preparing the material: Orthodox Church calendar new Julian 2026, press service of the OCU on Facebook, official portal of the OCU, YouTube channel “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
