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Archangel Gabriel fresco.jpg
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 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.

The reason why Gabriel is most celebrated, is his role in the Annunciation and other events in New Testament times attributed to him by Tradition. Starting in Luke 1, Gabriel first appears to Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zachariah initially refuses to believe that his barren wife, Elizabeth, and he will have a child in their old age. Gabriel then strikes Zachariah mute until the birth of his son because of his disbelief.


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