Prologue in Sermons: March 26

Why the Archangel Gabriel Is Called the Herald of Joy

March 26

(Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The Holy Archangel Gabriel is called among us the Herald of Joy. Why is this so?

First, because he proclaimed to people, in general, only one thing — joy. In the Prologue it is said of him:

“This Holy Archangel Gabriel is one of the great princes of the heavenly hosts, who from the beginning is sent by God to the earth, proclaiming every joy to human nature.”

Then the Archangel Gabriel announced joy to the Prophet Daniel concerning the deliverance of God’s people from the Babylonian captivity and about the time of the Messiah. 

He announced joy to Zechariah concerning the birth of the Forerunner from a barren mother and said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John; and you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:13–14).

Furthermore, pious tradition testifies that Gabriel announced to the holy and righteous Joachim and Anna the joy of the birth to them of the Most Holy Virgin. He said to Anna: “Anna! Anna! Your prayer has been heard, your sighs have passed through the clouds, your tears have appeared before God, and you shall conceive and bear a Most Blessed Daughter; through Her all the tribes of the earth shall receive blessing, and salvation will be granted to the whole world; Her name shall be Mary.”

At the same time, the Angel also appeared to Joachim in the desert and said: “Joachim, Joachim! God has heard your prayer and is pleased to grant you His grace: your wife Anna shall conceive and bear you a Daughter, whose birth shall be joy for the whole world.”

Finally, the Archangel Gabriel is called the Herald of Joy also because he announced to the Most Holy Virgin the joy of the conception and birth from Her of the Savior. He said to Her: “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!.. behold, You will conceive in Your womb and bear a Son, and You shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:28–33).

Therefore, brethren, the Holy Archangel Gabriel is called the Herald of Joy because he proclaimed joy to mankind. Let us therefore honor him as the herald who proclaimed salvation to the whole world; let us honor him with reverent veneration and prayerful hymnody, joyfully celebrating his memory and giving thanks to him for such great benefactions to the human race as he rendered in the past and continues to render now, unceasingly entreating for us the Incarnate Lord. 

Through the prayers of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, may we all also receive the forgiveness of sins. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.