3/25/2025 Orthros&Divine Liturgy-Feast of the Annunciation with Post-Liturgy Reflection скачать в хорошем качестве

3/25/2025 Orthros&Divine Liturgy-Feast of the Annunciation with Post-Liturgy Reflection

On March 25th, we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary, an event that we read about in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1. In the Orthodox Church, a very important teaching on this Holy Day is that the Archangel does not come to tell Mary that she's pregnant, but that she's been called to become the mother of the Messiah. It's only when Mary says, Let it be to me according to your word that the Incarnation happens. God calls us to participate in His will, but He never forces His will on us. This is the basis for an ancient Christian concept known as synergy, an idea that's popular now in the business world, but has much more ancient and spiritual roots. The choice is always ours: follow God or don't follow Him. And when we accept the calling, when we echo Mary's words and say to God, "Let it be to me according to your word," we know that the results are always life-changing in the best ways possible.