Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel (13 July)

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

The Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated on the day after the Annunciation, and a second time on July 13. It was instituted in the ninth century, perhaps to celebrate the dedication of a church at Constantinople. Originally, the Feast was observed on October 16 (Juan Mateos, Le Typikon De La Grande Eglise).

An account of the Holy Archangel Gabriel is found under March 26 and November 8.

It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Margaret Adams

I didn't realize they moved it from March 26 just to get it out of Great Lent so we could actually celebrate all those miracles properly. Makes sense now why July 13 feels like a proper feast day instead of something squeezed in.

Δέσποινα Χατζή

Yes, the metaphor from Lent makes sense, because in March we are all focused on Easter and we don't have time to celebrate properly. I like that on July 13th we bring out all the miracles of the Archangel together, I remember last year I was fishing on that day and I thought "is Gabriel helping me catch something?".

Xenia Wilson

Yes, that makes perfect sense. I remember trying to keep the March 26 one during Lent a few years back and it did feel a bit rushed with all the fasting rules. July 13 always seems brighter, especially with the longer evenings for a quiet walk afterwards.

Дмитрий Соловьёв

Yes, moving it from March during Lent is the right thing to do. During Lent, your mind is really more about Easter, and not about all the miracles of the Archangel. Here in Yaroslavl, July 13 is a good time to go fishing, calmly, without haste.

Евгения Макарова

Yes, in Lent there is really no time for full celebration; all attention is focused on preparing for Easter. In Novosibirsk, July 13 is also often a quiet day; then I usually walk along the Ob River, collecting herbs for embroidery. What is most often caught during fishing in Yaroslavl at this time?

Елена Иванова

Yes, during Lent all the attention is really on Easter, and it is better to celebrate the miracles of Gabriel without haste. Here in Nizhny July 13th is usually quiet too, I go to the forest to pick mushrooms or just take a walk. What do you most often come across while fishing in Yaroslavl at this time?

Тамара Морозова

Yes, in Lent all the attention is really on Easter, that’s why we moved it. Here in Krasnodar, July 13th is usually calm too; on this day I often bake pies with herbs. And in Yaroslavl, do you find crucian carp or roach more often?

Надежда Киселёва

In Moscow, we also come across roach more often, especially if it’s on a river not far from the dacha. And pies with herbs are good, this year I added sorrel and onions, it turned out delicious. Is the greenery in Krasnodar completely different in July?

Степан Тарасов

In Tula, we also have a lot of sorrel in July, but the onions from our parents’ garden are always the juiciest. And in Krasnodar, they probably put cilantro and basil in pies? Tell me if you tried it.

Тимофей Кузнецов

In Yaroslavl, roaches also often bite on the river, especially in the mornings. And sorrel with onions in pies is a classic; my brother always has enough in his garden. In Krasnodar, the greenery is probably really different, have you been there in the summer?