The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, also known as the Church of St. Gabriel or the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel, is an Orthodox church in Nazareth, Israel. Probably first established in the Byzantine age Palaestina Prima, it was rebuilt during the crusades, and again in the 18th century under the rule of Zahir al-Umar, the Arab governor of Galilee.
The church is known as the Greek Orthodox faithful of Galilee, who serves as the Kniset el-Rûm or the eastern Roman church in Levantine Arabic. The church is located above an underground source, Mary was at the time of the Annunciation water. Water from the spring still flows in the apse of the church and also fed the adjoining site of Mary’s Well, 140 meters away.
In the Christian tradition, the event with which Mary was informed by the angel Gabriel of God’s intention to make her the mother of Jesus is known as the Annunciation. In the Book of Luke (1: 27-35) it is written in the New Testament of the Bible that Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth,
to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, from the house of David; and the name of the Virgin was Mary. And he came to her, and said, “Hail, the Lord is with thee!” But she was very worried about the proverb, and reflected in her thoughts what kind of greeting that might be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God, and, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
And he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever.
And of his kingdom there shall be no end. ”
And Mary said unto the angel, How shall that be, when I have no man? And the angel said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will surpass you;
therefore the born child is called holy,
the Son of God. ”
While mentioning the city of Nazareth, the book of Luke leaves details that can help identify the exact location of this event. But the James proto-gospel, an apocryphal text from the second century, says: “She took the glass and went out to get water, and then a voice said to her,” Greetings, you who have received grace, you have blessed among the women. ” In the text it is said that after she had looked around and saw no one, she returned home, put the water glass aside, and turned, whereupon the angel appeared before her on her appointed role information.
There are 18 churches of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The Catholic basilica of the Annunciation is above the cave, which is believed to be Mary. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Prosecution is above the Source, where it is assumed that Maria first heard the voice of the Angel Gabriel. This spring, which is mentioned in the writings of the pilgrims to Nazareth over the centuries, is also the place where the six-year-old Jesus was sent by his mother to bring water, as in the non-canonical Thomas Gospel.