The Church of the Annunciation, Nea Makri

The Church of the Annunciation is located in the Holy Monastery of the Annunciation and St Ephraim, Nea Makri, near Athens. Interestingly enough, the Church has two iconostases, which separate the main part of the Church and the sanctuary. In the one we see the Annunciation icon, in the other we find the moment Abbes Makaria found the Holy Relics of St Ephraim, who was martyred on the grounds of the monastery, on the 3^rd of January 1950.

The feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary comes nine months before Christians, i.e. 25^th of March. It is the celebration of the announcing of the birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary. St Luke, in his Gospel writes:

“26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[c] 29 But when she saw him,[d] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:26-38).