Head of Crimea Sergei Aksenov: “With the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

I am glad to congratulate Orthodox Christians on the great feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

For many centuries now in churches on this day the joyful news that Archangel Gabriel brought to the Most Holy Theotokos has been heard: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” This was news of the coming birth of the Savior. And “the beginning of our salvation” is what the church calls the Annunciation.

For Russia, today’s holiday has special significance. We, like our ancestors, believe that our Fatherland is under the special protection of the Mother of God. There are many examples in Russian history when salvation came in the most seemingly hopeless situations. When the Russian state was literally reborn from the ashes, when the most powerful and “invincible” enemies suffered crushing defeats. And the bloody persecutions of the recent past could not destroy the Orthodox faith.

According to our Patriarch, accepting the mercy of God, perceiving it as a gift to our people and the Church, in response to this gift we must strengthen our own faith and raise our children and grandchildren in this faith.

Many churches on Russian soil are named in honor of the Annunciation. One of the most famous is the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

An ancient cave monastery, which is located on Mount Mangup in the Bakhchisarai region of Crimea, is also named in honor of the Annunciation. In the Middle Ages it was the territory of the Orthodox principality of Theodoro. The coats of arms of the rulers of the principality depicted a Byzantine double-headed eagle, which later “flew” to Moscow.

Let us pray to the Queen of Heaven for our Motherland, for our soldiers, our relatives and friends.

Most Holy Theotokos, pray to God for us! — says the congratulations from the Head of the Republic.

source: Department of Information and Press Service of the Head of the Republic of Crimea