In search of the footprints of our Savior

by Jose Kurian Puliyeri

Holy Land Travelogue Part 5 - In St. Mary's Church: Church of Annunciation.

The important attraction of the holy and ancient city of Nazareth is the beautifully built modern Church of glad tidings, on top of a small hill, which is visible and could be identified from far distance. It is built just above the place where Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Mary and conveyed the message of God Almighty about the incarnation. We could see a Greek Orthodox Church, close to this Church. It is comparatively smaller than the Church of glad tidings. In St. Luke 1: 26- 38 we read about the annunciation of the glad tidings. Angel Gabriel (Literally Gabriel means the power of God) said "Hail Mary, you are highly favored, the Lord is with thee, you are blessed among women…. etc" The Church of Annunciation is managed by the Franciscan Monks of the Roman Catholic Church. On the main entrance door of the Church we could see the beautiful carvings of the instances from the life of our Savior from the blessed incarnation till the death on the cross. The are very attractive, informative and impressive. The pictures of Evengelionists St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John are displayed on the wall, just above the main entrance and the references of the description of the Annunciation by each author of the Gospel are also marked just below the authors' pictures. The huge, attractive and multicolor picture of the annunciation to the blessed St. Mary is above this. The present church was erected and sanctified in 1969. This church is constructed with most modern architectural techniques and style, using precious marbles. It has two floors. In both floors there are sanctuaries, but in the Church on the first floor, there is the main Altar. The inside of the spire just above the main alter has the pure white color of the lily flower as a symbol of the purity and divinity of St. Mary, Mother of God. The term 'Nazareth' literally means a flower. When we look in to the spire from down, we will feel like looking into a flower, which is kept upside down. 

The most important place of the Church, the place where the actual annunciation took place is just close to the sanctuary of the Church in the ground floor, precisely on the east- southern side of the place where laymen stand during the worships. This holy place is the original place of residence of St. Mary. Now it is decorated with copper canopy and the entire place is made shining. It is noteworthy to mention that the responsible ones, when introduced the timely alterations and additions of beautifications, did not lose its original charisma, glamour and glory, took special care. Now there is an altar inside this room and it is maintained with divinity and awe feeling. When a faithful would have a look into the room, he/she might feel a thought of awe-feeling and pious thoughts. Usually visitors are not allowed to enter into the room. All are supposed to stand outside the room and offer their prayers and supplications. But when we reached the spot, the Priest in charge of the Church came there and allowed us to enter the room and offer our prayers. We got enough time to offer our canonical prayers lead by the Respected Priests with us, and also our own private prayers. So we got the unexpected blessing to kneel down on the floor of the greatest wonder of the world and to kiss the blessed place and to seek the continued intercession of the Mother of God. In fact we all were blessed by God Almighty to get an unseen feather touch of St. Mary. On all walls of the Church we could see different types of full size pictures of Mother of God painted by veteran and world famous artists of the Universe. The annunciation to St. Mary is a very important event in the Christian faith and rituals. In the usual Calendars we find two dates as the blessed day of annunciation. One is on 25th March every year and the other is on a Sunday. It will come in accordance with the observation of the events in the life of our Lord and Savior. The Holy Church gives great importance for the annunciation on 25th March. So if 25th March falls on a Good Friday, it is a strict teaching that the Holy Eucharist must be celebrated with due importance and celebrations.

At the bottom level of the Church we could see the old house where St. Mary was living with St. Joseph and his siblings. The house is maintained still as in the original stage. (to be continued)