26Mar2025
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The Church of the Annunciation, sometimes also referred to as the Basilica of the Annunciation, is a Catholic Church in Nazareth. The church was first built in the 5th century during the Byzantine era in 427 AD by Aelia Eudocia, the second wife of Emperor Constantine X, during the time of Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem. The original structure covered an area of 150 square meters.
It was established over what Catholic traditions holds to be the site of the house of the Virgin Mary, in the Galilean town of Nazareth, where according to tradition, the annunciation took place, in which angel Gabriel appeared to Virgin Mary and announced that she would give birth to Jesus.
The church has faced multiple destructions and fell apart due to natural disasters like earthquakes, the ravages of time, and wars, particularly during the Persian rule when it was almost completely destroyed. Upon their arrival in Nazareth, the Crusaders found the site in ruins. Tancred, prince of Galilee, reconstructed the church, establishing a grand and expansive basilica. Elements of Tancred’s Basilica were incorporated into the subsequent church built over it. The grotto of the Annunciation was included inside the church, with a small altar erected over it, remnants of which remain today.
However, the church was soon destroyed by the Mamluks, leading to the expulsion of the Franciscan monks from the site for many years. In 1730, the Franciscans rebuilt the church with permission from the governor of Galilee, Zahir al-Umar. By 1877, the church underwent further renovation, expansion, and the front side was rebuilt, along with the addition of a small monastery. In 1955, a decision was made to construct the current Church of the Annunciation, resulting in the demolition of the old structure. The new church was completed and inaugurated in 1969, with the aim of preserving and protecting the sacred grotto and the remains of the previous churches.
The centerpiece of the lower floor is the grotto where the Annunciation is believed to have occurred. This floor also houses the remnants of the earlier churches. The stone wall running along the length of the church and behind the grotto is a remnant of the 12th-century Crusader church.
The upper floor features a massive dome in the shape of a lily flower, symbolizing the purity of the Virgin Mary and serving as a source of light. The marble floor is inlaid with the names of popes. Visitors are greeted by a large mosaic depicting Jesus, Mary, and Peter on the front. The walls of the hall and the courtyard of the church are adorned with beautiful mosaics, each donated by different countries and reflecting their cultural elements.
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th each year.
