Archangel Gabriel
The archangel who, according to the Gospel, announced the birth of Christ to the Theotokos.
Biography
Gabriel is one of the archangels named in Scripture; his name is usually read as "man of God" or "strength of God". In the Old Testament he appears to the prophet Daniel to interpret his visions. In the New Testament, according to the Gospel of Luke, he announces to the priest Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist and to the Virgin Mary the birth of Christ.
In Christian tradition Gabriel is honoured, together with the Archangel Michael, as one of God's chief angelic messengers. The Church keeps his Synaxis on 26 March, the day after the Annunciation, and also commemorates him on other dates, including 8 November together with the bodiless powers.