In the Christian Calendar, what is normally celebrated on the 25th of March?

The Feast of the Annunciation (falling as it does 9 months before Christmas Day) marks the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and telling her that she will bear the son of God. It is also known as "Lady Day". The first words of the Angel's salutation, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" form the opening of the prayer known as the Hail Mary.

It is celebrated in all branches of Christianity, though the Marian element means it tends to be more prominent in Catholicism and Orthodoxy rather than Protestant denominations.

Its proximity to the Spring Equinox is linked to the belief that creation itself began on that day, as did Christ's redemption of it. But as with many Christian festivals, it is probably fair to say that the early church showed a degree of pragmatism about borrowing the dates of earlier Pagan rituals!

If the 25th of March falls during Holy Week, the festival is moved for the year in question.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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17 Comments

David Roy

deborahpmercer, the Church of England is not Protestant. It is Catholic and reformed. Its beliefs are sometimes termed Anglocatholicism, to distinguish it from Roman Catholicism. It uses creeds which state belief in the 'holy Catholic Church' and 'one holy Catholic and apostolic Church'.

Vicki Taylor

The question should say, "On the Catholic calendar,...". Evangelical Christians don't celebrate these days.

Ronald Schertz

Man made...not biblical. Jesus wasn't born in December...

Ken Putnam

In the Catholic/Anglican Calendar There, fixed it for you To the best of my knowledge, NO Protestant Churches celebrate ANY Feast days But then again, your "reference" is the WIKI, so ...

Mic Fenst

Great question, As always, Deborah, any question involving biblical stories is subject to many views, and lots of demanding responses. Carry on.

Wayne Roberts

Angels do not come from earth, so therefore are Alien! Sounds like artificial insemination by aliens to me!!!! You might not like my comment, but you can’t prove me wrong!!!!

Mary Elizabeth Mazi Ross

Not celebrated in Lutheran churches

Estelle Tweedie Strydom

David Roy, the word "catholic" in the Apostles' Creed, which is used as an affirmation of belief in a wide variety of Protestant churches, does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but to the original meaning of the word, which is "universal".

Joris van Pelt

and Mother's Day .....

Kevin Dale Streets

Not on any Christian calendar that I've seen...

Dirk A Schnarr

Sorry That is the CATHOLIC calendar

deborahpmercer

Please may I as the question setter observe that I did say Protestant and not Evangelical. Many C of E churches mark it. Also, I think we all know that Jesus was not really born on 25.12 but that is the general date of celebrating Christmas.

John McLardie

Marian Spitzig, it is, technically, celebrated by all of the Orthodox Church branches. Just not on March 25th.

John McLardie

Considering that Yeshua was NOT born on December 25th (it's reckoned he was born late September) this, as with so many other so-called 'Christian Feasts', is an invention of Catholic orthodoxy. Nothing to do with the Protestant churches.