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[[Image:Archangel Gabriel fresco.jpg|right|thumb|The Archangel Gabriel, from a 13th century fresco in Serbia.]]The Holy '''Archangel Gabriel''' has been called the leader of the heavenly hosts; he is associated with numerous happenings in [[Holy Scripture]], particularly his revelation to the [[Theotokos]] that she would bear [[Christ]]. Thus his primary role has been called one of announcing the [[Soteriology|salvation]] of mankind. The Church celebrates the [[Synaxis]] of the [[Archangel]] Gabriel on [[March 26]], the day following the Feast of the [[Annunciation]], and again on [[July 13]]; he is also commemorated together with all the Archangels on their Synaxis date, [[November 8]].

==History==

The name ''Gabriel'' comes from the Hebrew meaning "Man of God." It has alternately been translated "God is mighty" or "the strength/power of God."  The [[Prologue from Ohrid]] explains his name this way: "Man-God. The [[Church Fathers|Holy Fathers]], in speaking about the [[Annunciation]], interpret that an archangel with such a name was sent to signify who and what He would be like, who must be born of the All-Pure One. Therefore, He will be Man-God, mighty and powerful God."

Gabriel and [[Archangel Michael|Michael]] are the archangels who figure most prominently in the [[Bible]], though it could be argued that Gabriel's role is the better developed.  In the [[Old Testament]], he is only mentioned by name in two visions of the [[Prophet Daniel]] (see [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] 8 and 9).  Here he explains to Daniel the future of Israel. [[Holy Tradition]] also credits Gabriel with inspiring the [[Prophet]] [[Moses]] to write either [[Genesis]] or the entire [[Pentateuch]]. Later Jewish Rabbinical literature states that he was the [[angel]] who taught Joseph the 70 languages needed to rule in Egypt, but this is not in the Genesis account.

The reason why Gabriel is most celebrated, though, is his role in the [[Annunciation]] and other events in [[New Testament]] times attributed to him by Tradition (although his name may not be mentioned explicitly in the text). Starting in [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 1, Gabriel first appears to [[Zachariah]], the father of [[John the Forerunner|John the Baptist]].  Zachariah initially refuses to believe that his barren wife, [[Elizabeth]], and he will have a child in their old age. This is the moment in which Gabriel says, "I am Gabriel. I stand before God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this this good news" (Luke 1:19){{ref|1}}. He then strikes Zachariah mute until the birth of his son because of his disbelief.  

Often Gabriel is also recognized as the angel who announced the birth of the Theotokos to her parents [[Joachim and Anna]] and who came to [[Joseph the Betrothed]] in a dream, telling him that Mary's pregnancy was indeed [[miracle|miraculous]] and that he should protect and care for her. He then appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem, telling them of the [[Nativity]]. Thus he was the key figure in revealing to humanity the [[Incarnation]] of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. He will also announce the Second Coming of the Lord by blowing a trumpet. 

Finally, Gabriel was present during the Passion and [[Resurrection]] of the Lord. He is identified as the mysterious "young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment ... following Jesus" who fled naked after he was seized during Christ's arrest in Gethsemene ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:51-2){{ref|1}}. Most importantly, it was Gabriel who announced Christ's Resurrection to the [[Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women|Myrrh-bearing Women]] outside the tomb.  

==Gabriel in [[Iconography]]==
Because the Angels are incorporeal beings, though they nevertheless take on human form when appearing to mankind, it can be difficult to differentiate one from another in [[icon]]s.

However, Gabriel is usually portrayed with certain distinguishing characteristics. He typically wears blue or white garments; he holds either a lily (representing the Theotokos), a trumpet, a shining lantern, a branch from Paradise presented to him by the Theotokos, or a spear in his right hand and often a mirror&mdash;made of jasper and with a Χ (the first letter of Christ (Χριστος) in Greek)&mdash;in his left hand. 

He should not be confused with the Archangel Michael, who carries a sword, shield, date-tree branch, and in the other hand a spear, white banner (possibly with scarlet cross) and tends to wear red. Michael's specific mission is to suppress enemies of the true Church (hence the military theme), while Gabriel's is to announce mankind's salvation.

<center>
<gallery>
Image:Gabrielhtm.jpg|Gabriel the Archangel.

File:Simon Ushakov - Archangel Gabriel.jpg|Archangel Gabriel, by Simon Ushakov (1626–1686), 2nd third of 17th c.

File:Arch-Gabriel.JPG|Archangel Gabriel, by Vlasios Tsotsonis.
</gallery>
</center>

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

:Gabriel, commander of the heavenly hosts,
:we who are unworthy beseech you,
:by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,
:and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:
:"Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commander of the powers on high!"

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8)

:Supreme commander Gabriel,
:you are the glorious intercessor and servant
:before the all-radiant, worthy, all-powerful, infinite and awesome Trinity.
:Ever pray now that we may be delivered from all tribulations and torments,
:so that we may cry out to you:
:"Rejoice, protection of your servants!"

==Sources and external links==
*[http://www.orthodox.cn/prologue/March26.htm Prologue from Ohrid]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100886 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=472 Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel] and [http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=122 Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.catholic-forum.com/SAINTS/saintg03.htm Gabriel the Archangel] ([[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]])
*[http://angelgabriel.blogspot.com Information, Pictures, and Links regarding Archangel Gabriel] (non-denominational collection)
*[[w:Archangel Gabriel|''Archangel Gabriel'' on Wikipedia]]
*[http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/archangels/gabriel.html Archangel Gabriel] from "Sarah's Archangels" (non-denominational)
*Smiljka Gabelić. ''"The Archangelos Xorinos, or the Banisher."'' '''Dumbarton Oaks Papers.''' Vol. 50 (1996), pp.345-360.
*{{note|1}} Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

[[Category:Angels|Gabriel]]
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[[bg:Гавраил]]
[[fr:Gabriel (Archange)]]
[[ro:Gavriil (Arhanghelul)]]