Title: "Feast of the Annunciation Rescheduled to April 3"

The Maronite Patriarchate stated in a statement today, Wednesday, that "the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary falls on March 25, a Monday during Holy Week. Since Holy Week, with its prayers and rituals, takes precedence over all celebrations, feasts, and memorials, and because the Church is in a position of prayer reflecting on the sufferings of its Savior, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, which has its roots in our Maronite calendar and the universal Church, will be moved this year to Wednesday during the Apostles' Week, which occurs on April 3, 2024. This is because Wednesday is designated in our Maronite tradition for the commemoration of the Virgin Mary, and the Qennoubin manuscripts mention a prayer for the praises of the Virgin on the third day after the Resurrection."