The Festival of Archangel Saint Gabriel
December 31, 2021
The festival of the glorious angel, Gabriel the Archangel, who made the Annunciation to our Holy Mother Saint Mary is celebrated on December 31. on this day is also celebrated the building of the church in the city of Danah, wherein the angel showed forth his miracles, and also the dedication thereof; and of what took place Archelaus, bishop of this city is witness. It was this glorious angel who was sent by God to the holy Virgin Mary, and he was by far the most glorious of all the angels, and most to be trusted to make the Annunciation to her.
When he came unto the Virgin he said unto her, “Peace be unto thee! Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.” It was Gabriel who announced the glad tidings of the birth of his son John to Zachariah; exceedingly great honor do they pay to this angel Gabriel, and great is the honor of him that is chosen as an announcer of glad tidings. And it is meet for us now to gather together at this great and holy festival in the True Faith, and let us put away hatred, and make peace among ourselves, and agree with our neighbor, and love each other, and let us crucify our minds (or thoughts) with God the Merciful, so that He may look upon us and have compassion upon us. With all our hearts let us make supplication to this glorious angel Gabriel, and his companion Michael,
who are glorious and exalted in their offices to pray to God on our behalf that He may deliver us and protect us against the nets of Satan; for without the help of God and the intercession of His chosen ones we can in no wise be saved. Now the meaning of the name Gabriel is “God and man,” and it was Gabriel who made the announcement [to the shepherds], and said, “This day is born unto you a Savior, Who is Christ God.”
Salutation to thy house in the city of Danoh (sic), O Gabriel, which Archelaus, bishop of the city, consecrated.
Source: The Ethiopian Synaxarium, page 226-227
