Explanation of the Canon for the Feast of the Annunciation; Canticle 4

 

Canticle Four

(Irmos) He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud,[3] and with His pure hand He has saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ.

The Theotokos

I have learnt from the Prophet, who foretold in times of old the coming of Emmanuel, that a certain holy Virgin should bear a child.[4] But I long to know how the nature of mortal men shall undergo union with the Godhead.

The Angel

The bush that burnt with fire and yet remained unconsumed,[5] disclosed the secret mystery that shall come to pass in thee, O pure Maiden, full of grace. For after child-birth thou shalt remain ever-Virgin.

The Theotokos

O Gabriel, herald of the truth, shining with the radiance of Almighty God, tell me truly: how shall I, my purity remaining untouched, bear in the flesh the Word that has no body?

The Angel

I stand before thee in fear, as a servant before his mistress, and in awe I am afraid to look at thee now, O Maid. In His good pleasure shall the Word of God descend upon Thee, as dew upon the fleece.[6]

(Katavasia) He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead …

Explanation

Theological Significance of Canticle Four

This canticle from the Annunciation Canon continues to explore the profound mystery of the Incarnation, emphasizing themes of divine glory, Old Testament prophecy, the miraculous union of divinity and humanity, and the preservation of the Theotokos' virginity.

1. Christ, the Divine King, Comes in Humility

The Irmos proclaims that Christ, who sits enthroned in glory as God, comes “in a swift cloud” to save humanity. This references Isaiah 19:1, which prophesies:
"Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt."

This imagery has deep theological significance:

• Clouds in Scripture signify divine presence and majesty (Exodus 13:21, Daniel 7:13, Matthew 17:5).
  
  

• Yet, rather than descending in overwhelming power, Christ enters the world humbly through the Theotokos.
  
  

• His mission is salvation, bringing redemption to those who cry: "Glory to Thy power, O Christ."
  
  

This sets the stage for the dialogue that follows, where the Theotokos and the angel discuss how this divine mystery will be accomplished.

2. The Prophet Isaiah Foretells the Virgin Birth

The Theotokos recalls the prophecy of Isaiah:
"I have learnt from the Prophet, who foretold in times of old the coming of Emmanuel, that a certain holy Virgin should bear a child."

This directly references Isaiah 7:14:
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel."

The title Emmanuel (Ἐμμανουήλ) means "God with us," affirming that the child to be born is not merely human but fully divine. However, Mary seeks understanding of how mortal nature can unite with the divine—a mystery that the angel will explain.

3. The Burning Bush as a Type of the Theotokos

The angel answers using a typological reference from the Old Testament:
"The bush that burnt with fire and yet remained unconsumed disclosed the secret mystery that shall come to pass in thee, O pure Maiden, full of grace."

This refers to Exodus 3:2, where Moses sees a bush engulfed in flames but not consumed. The Fathers of the Church interpret this as a prefiguration of the Virgin Birth:

• Just as the bush was aflame but not consumed, so Mary will bear the divine fire (Christ) yet remain untouched in her virginity.
  
  

• This affirms the Orthodox belief in Mary’s Ever-Virginity (Ἀειπαρθένος).
  
  

4. The Theotokos’ Faith and Inquiry

Mary continues in humility:
"O Gabriel, herald of the truth, shining with the radiance of Almighty God, tell me truly: how shall I, my purity remaining untouched, bear in the flesh the Word that has no body?"

This reveals:

• Her deep faith in God’s will—she does not reject the message but seeks to understand.
  
  

• Her awareness of the transcendence of the Word, who is without physical form yet will take flesh from her.
  
  

• Her purity, which she values and wishes to preserve, making clear that the Incarnation is not through natural human conception.
  
  

5. The Angel’s Awe Before the Theotokos

Gabriel’s response is striking:
"I stand before thee in fear, as a servant before his mistress, and in awe I am afraid to look at thee now, O Maid."

This reiterates a key theological theme:

• The angel, a heavenly being, trembles before Mary, a human, because of her unique role in God’s plan.
  
  

• This further supports Orthodox veneration of the Theotokos—she is exalted above all creation, even higher than the angels.
  
  

6. The Incarnation as Divine Condescension

Gabriel continues:
"In His good pleasure shall the Word of God descend upon thee, as dew upon the fleece."

This refers to Judges 6:36-40, where Gideon asks God for a sign, requesting that dew appear on the fleece while the ground remains dry. This was later interpreted by the Fathers as a symbol of the Virgin Birth:

• Just as dew gently settles upon the fleece without disturbing it, so Christ will enter Mary’s womb without violating her virginity.
  
  

• This affirms the miraculous, grace-filled nature of the Incarnation, accomplished solely by divine will and not by human means.
  
  

Conclusion

Canticle Four presents a rich theological meditation on the mystery of the Incarnation, highlighting:

• Christ’s divine kingship and His humble descent to save mankind.
  
  

• Isaiah’s prophecy of the Virgin Birth as proof of Christ’s divinity.
  
  

• The burning bush as a type of Mary, illustrating her preservation despite bearing God.
  
  

• The Theotokos as the New Eve, whose faith and obedience contrast Eve’s fall.
  
  

• Gabriel’s reverence for Mary, showing her exalted status in creation.
  
  

• The Incarnation as a divine mystery, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, likened to dew on fleece.
  
  

This hymn, sung during the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25th), invites us to marvel at the profound mystery of God becoming man, while affirming the Theotokos’ unique and honored role in salvation history.