Annunciation to Virgin Mary marked in Armenia

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary annually on April 7, commemorating the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary. It is a major feast day, occurring exactly nine months before the Armenian celebration of Christmas on January 6.

The day celebrates the moment the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive Jesus, as told in Luke 1:26-38.

In Armenia, April 7 is officially recognized as the Day of Motherhood and Beauty, a public holiday dedicated to women, established by the Armenian Apostolic Church to honor the Virgin Mary's role and motherhood.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and all Armenian churches hold special Divine Liturgies and blessing services for women expecting motherhood.