In this icon, Archangel Gabriel is represented in swift motion as God’s messenger and also holds in his left hand a staff, the ancient symbol of a messenger. His right hand extends toward the Mother of God in both greeting and communion. Seated to emphasize her superiority over the Angel, the virgin accepts God’s calling with her arms raised in a gesture of submission. Archangel Gabriel is sent to the Virgin Mary to declare to her the good news and the fulfillment of God’s economy: the incarnation of Jesus Christ of the Virgin Mary to save His creation.
According to the Church Fathers, the obedience of the Holy Theotokos to God’s calling reverses the consequences of Eve’s first disobedience to His commandment. The Feast of the Annunciation was the first feast to be honored liturgically, and when the date of this event was identified, it became the starting point of what is called the Nativity cycle.
The ever-virginity of the Mother of God, Theotokos, is always depicted in orthodox icons with three stars. One star is on her left sleeve, one on her head covering, and the other on her right sleeve. These stars symbolize her virginity before the birth of Christ, during the birth of Christ, and after the birth of Christ, respectively.