Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
The Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
Kept 26 March — Synaxis in honour of Gabriel, the day after the Annunciation, 13 July — The summer Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
On the day after the Annunciation the Church gathers (Greek synaxis) to honour the archangel Gabriel, the minister of the good tidings — the "strength of God," whose name the whole of Scripture and Tradition associates with the great announcements of the divine economy. Because it was Gabriel who brought the message of the Incarnation to the Virgin, it is fitting that the morrow of the Annunciation should be his feast. This is also the leavetaking of the Annunciation.
Gabriel ("God is my strength," or "man of God") is one of the two archangels named in the canonical Scriptures. He it was who interpreted the visions to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 8 and 9); who announced to the priest Zachariah, at the altar of incense, the birth of John the Forerunner (Luke 1:11–20); and who, six months after, was sent to Nazareth to the Virgin Mary with the salutation "Rejoice, thou that art highly favoured" and the tidings of the conception of the Son of God (Luke 1:26–38). Tradition further ascribes to him a place at the other turning- points of the Lord's coming — the strengthening of Joseph, the message to the shepherds, and (in the reading of many Fathers) the announcement of the Resurrection at the empty tomb.
As Michael is honoured as the captain of the heavenly hosts and the defender of the people of God, so Gabriel is honoured as the messenger of God's saving purposes — the archangel of the Incarnation. The Church keeps two synaxes in his honour: the present one, on March 26, bound to the Annunciation; and another on July 13.
Hymns
Apolytikion — Tone 4
O commander of the heavenly hosts, we the unworthy beseech thee that by thy prayers thou wilt encompass us with the shelter of the wings of thine immaterial glory, guarding us who fall down before thee and fervently cry: Deliver us from dangers, O prince of the powers on high.
Kontakion — Tone 8
O Gabriel, thou minister of the mystery hidden from the ages, who didst stand of old before the Virgin and cry to her "Rejoice": intercede that we who honour thee may be delivered from all affliction and may cry to God, Alleluia.
Original translation from the Greek
Appointed readings
Epistle — Hebrews 2:2–10
2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Gospel — Luke 10:16–21
16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Iconography
Gabriel is depicted as a beautiful winged youth in the dress of a court herald or a deacon, bearing a staff or a lily (the flower of the Annunciation) and often a mirror-orb inscribed with the monogram of Christ; where he is shown with Michael the two archangels flank the enthroned Christ or the Theotokos. In the Annunciation icon he approaches the Virgin from the left with his message.