Description

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel, also known as the (Greek) Orthodox Church of the Annunciation (Greek: Ορθόδοξος Ναός του Ευαγγελισμού), is an Eastern Orthodox church in Nazareth, Israel. It is one of two claimants to the site of the Annunciation – where angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would give birth to Jesus – the other being the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation.

Likely first established in Byzantine-era Palaestina Prima, it was rebuilt during the time of the Crusades, and in its current shape in the 18th century under the rule of Zahir al-Umar, the Arab governor of the Galilee.

In Christian tradition, the event by 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 New Testament of the Bible, in the Book of Luke (Luke 1:27–35), it is written that Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth.