Alexander Subbotin and Dmitry Demidov released white doves into the sky at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebration in Vitebsk
With trepidation and reverence, people glorify the day when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced the coming birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is believed that this revealed the highest degree of God's love for fallen humanity. The Son of God incarnated to recreate man, to fulfill him "in all glory," to restore the lost communion with the Heavenly Father. Along with the joy of deliverance, renewal, and rebirth of corruptible nature through the Incarnation, the festive church hymns give much attention to the praise of the Virgin Mary, who served this great mystery.
The service in the Vitebsk Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos was attended today by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Dmitry Demidov and the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin.
According to tradition, on the day of the holiday, white doves are released into the sky in many churches after the liturgy.
These birds, which have long symbolized peace and good news, also soared high above Vitebsk. In Orthodoxy, the dove is a symbol of the gracious action of the Holy Spirit, and its snow-white wings symbolize the purity and immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary.