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Annunciation on Royal Doors (one panel)
Icon Gallery, Ohrid
From the church of St. Nicholas Hospitaller, Ohrid.
14th-15th century
111 x 36 cm.
Found at:
www.soros.org.mk
Tempera. Plaster ground on board
Today - Icon Gallery, Ohrid.
Condition: Relatively well preserved. Damage due to flaking of plaster ground in the lower part.
Iconography: Archangel Gabriel is shown in full length, facing half left. He gives a blessing with his right hand and in his left holds a rod. He is dressed in red hiton and purple himation.
The upper part of the doors – King Solomon shown in half-length, dressed in green divineation and purple mantle. In his right hand he holds an unfurled scroll inscribed with text of a prophecy. The background, gold.
Annunciation on Royal Doors
Icon Gallery, Ohrid
Found at:
www.soros.org.mk
15th century doors originally from the church in Botun, Ohrid. Today the doors are in Icon Gallery, Ohrid.
Iconography: The panels, decorated with turned wooden pawn-shaped knobs along the top, show respectively the Mother of God, standing on a low pedestal, and the Archangel Gabriel, landing on an elliptical cushion. Both in full length.
Behind the Mother of God there is a richly decorated throne with a back, an exceptional rendering of a throne made in turned wood, and architecture with very steep stairs. The Mother of God is dressed in a chiton and a maphorion boarded with a gold band and her right hand, raised in a gesture of surprise holding a purple thread; in her left hand a clew.
The Archangel Gabriel, turned towards her, gives a blessing with his right hand and holds a rod in his left. He is dressed in a chiton and a himation falling in folds down his back. Requisite architecture in the background.
found at: http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/gabriel-archangel.html
Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Icon,
Byzantine Iconography
Hand-painted icon by Svetlana Novko©
Egg tempera, 23 Carat gold, natural pigments on woodboard
W14 x H22"
350 x 560 mm
Archangel Gabriel in Scriptures and Holy Tradition, by St. Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich
"The Holy Fathers think that Gabriel has pre-eminence in the first and greatest order of heavenly powers, that is, the Seraphic Order, since the Seraphims stand closest to God. He is, therefore, one of the seven Seraphims, closest to God. The names of the seven are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel. To this number some even add Jeremiel. Each one has their own particular service and all are equal in honor. Why did God not send Michael? Because Michael's service is to suppress the enemies of the Faith of God while Gabriel's is the mission of announcing the salvation of mankind."
Gabriel is the announcer of the Incarnation of the Son of God. He is one of the seven archangels who stand before the Throne of God. He appeared to Zacharias about the birth of the Forerunner. Gabriel said of himself: "I am Gabriel, who stands before God" (St. Luke 1:19). His name Gabriel means "Man - God." The Holy Fathers, in speaking about the Annunciation, interpret that an archangel with such a name was sent to signify who and what He would be like, who must be born of the All-Pure One. Therefore, He will be Man-God, mighty and powerful God. Some of the Fathers understood that this same Gabriel appeared to Joachim and Anna concerning the birth of the Virgin Mary and that Gabriel instructed Moses in the wilderness to write the Book of Genesis.
This great archangel of God is commemorated on March 26th. On this day his appearances and marvels through the whole history of the salvation of mankind are commemorated. It is reckoned that this observance was first instituted on the Holy Mountain in 982, during the patriarchate of Nicolas Chrysoverges (979-91), and was occasioned by the Archangel's appearing in a cell near Karyes, where, with his finger, he wrote the hymn to the Mother of God: "It is meet ... ". As a result of this occurrence, the cell was named, and is called to this day, "It is meet ..."
Linked with this, other appearances of the Archangel Gabriel are commemorated, such as his appearing to Moses when he was keeping Jethro's flocks, when he revealed to this great man, chosen by God, how the world was created and all the rest that Moses later wrote down in the Book of Genesis; his appearing to Daniel and the imparting of the mystery of the kingdoms to come and the coming of the Saviour; his appearing to St. Anna and the promise of a daughter, the most blessed and pure Virgin Mary; his very brief appearing to the holy Virgin while she was living in the Temple in Jerusalem; his appearing to Zacharias the high priest and the news of the birth of John the Forerunner, and the punishing of the same with dumbness because he did not believe the angel's words; his appearing once again to the holy Virgin in Nazareth, and the annunciation of the conception and birth of the Lord Jesus Christ; his appearing to righteous Joseph, to the shepherds near Bethlehem, to the Lord Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane when he strengthened the Lord, as man, before His Passion; his appearing to the myrrh-bearing women, and his other appearances.
Ohrid Prologue
found at: http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/gabriel-archangel.html
The White Angel
(believed to be Gabriel)
found at: http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/white-angel.html
Orthodox Iconography consists of portable/panel icons, frescoes (wall paintings on fresh plaster) and Orthodox mosaics. Some of the greatest, priceless treasures of Byzantine Iconography are adorning the walls of Eastern Orthodox churches in the form of frescoes and mosaics. Among those, Serbian early and medieval fresco painting takes a prominent place.
Built of stone, thousand years old Serbian churches carry some of the most majestic iconographic masterpieces that have, by some art historians, surpassed later Italian Renaissance frescoes in beauty and skill with which they were executed.
White Angel, painted in 1230 at the Mileseva Monastery, Serbia.
Archangel (believed to be Gabriel) at the entrance of Christ's empty tomb, announcing His resurrection to the myrrh-bearing women.
Detail from the Resurrection fresco, Mileseva Monastery, Serbia
Famous Greek Icon Master Photios Kontoglou about Serbian frescoes
"... As far as technical execution is concerned, the wall paintings of Serbia disclose their creators as marvelous masters of the difficult art of wall painting, which in Italian is called fresco, because the artist paints on fresh plaster, put on at the time he is painting, when it is moist and thus retains the paint better. In such painting it is necessary that the painter have complete mastery of his work; he must be able to paint quickly, without hesitation and without making corrections, otherwise the plaster becomes dry, the wall does not absorb the paint, and it flakes off. Then it is necessary to scrape off the plaster, replaster the wall, and start painting again from the beginning.
Now in this work the iconographers of Serbia were great masters, so much so that those who have some conception of the art of fresco painting are astonished. They surpassed many of the Italians who, more than others, worked at frescoes .."
Byzantine Sacred Art
found at: white-angel.html
Other links to Milaseva:
Mileseva - The White Angel (detail)
Mileseva - The White Angel
Mileseva Monastery photo - Alan Grant photos at pbase.com
FUND BLAGO CONTINUES TO FINANCE RESTORATION OF MILESEVA MONASTERY FRESCOES: NEXT, NEMANYICS PROCESSION
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Found at: http://www.angelicartistry.com/gabriel.htm
I bring to mankind, from God, the Gift of Hope.
It is never too late to ask for Our Lord’s forgiveness and mercy.
Do not despair. Keep hope alive in your heart. Know that you are loved. |
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And now I beseech you not to pray to me, for I am only a messenger of the Lord.
Pray only to God. Love God with all your heart and keep His commandments.
The Archangel Gabriel is called the Angel of the Annunciation because it was he who informed Mary that she had found favor with the Lord and that she would conceive in her womb the Son of God.
The lilies Gabriel carries symbolize the purity of Mary. The Archangel Gabriel also announced to Zacharias that he would have a son born to him who would be John the Baptist.
It was the Archangel Gabriel who inspired Joan of Arc to go to the aid of the King of France.
There is a tradition that Gabriel is the Angel of Birth. It is said that he carefully spends the nine months of the pregnancy watching over each unborn child and instructing that child on the necessary knowledge of Heaven that is an inherent part of all people. Just before birth, though, Gabriel touches each baby on the upper lip to make the child unable to remember all of the information about Heaven until the child returns to the spiritual state at death. The sign of Gabriel’s Touch is the cleft just below the nose.
The Archangel Gabriel
Gabriel is the Governor of Eden, the ruler of the Cherubim.
He is one of the two angels mentioned by name in the Old Testament, along with Michael.
Gabriel is the Angel of the Resurrection and the Angel of Mercy. He rules the first heaven, which is the heaven closest to humankind. Gabriel appeared to Daniel to explain his vision of the fight between the ram and the he-goat (the oracle of the Persians being overthrown by the Greeks). He appeared again to Daniel to tell him of the coming of a messiah. In Jewish legend, it was Gabriel who dealt death and destruction to the sinful cities of Sodom and Gommorah. According to the Talmud (Sanhedrin 95b) it was Gabriel who destroyed the armies of Sennacherib "with a sharpened scythe which had been ready since Creation."
In the Talmud it is also written that Gabriel prevented Queen Vashti from appearing naked before King Ahasuerus and his guests in order to bring about the election of Esther in her lace. Cabalists identify Gabriel as "the man clothed in linen". In Daniel 10-11, this man clothed in linen is helped by Michael. Gabriel is the preceptor angel of Joseph.
In more recent times, Gabriel is named as the angel
who visited Father George Rapp, leader of the 2nd Advent community in New Harmony, Indiana, and left a footprint on a limestone slab preserved in the yard of the Maclure-Owen residence in that city. The poet Longfellow, in his ‘The Golden Legend’, makes Gabriel the angel of the moon who brings man the gift of hope. | Found at: http://www.angelicartistry.com/gabriel.htm
ST. GABRIELTHE ARCHANGEL
O God, who from among all your angels chose the Archangel Gabriel
to announce the mystery of the Incarnation, mercifully grant that we
who solemnly remember him on earth may feel the benefit of his patronage in heaven, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Angels in Islam
found at: en.wikipedia.org
In Islam, angels are light-based creatures, created by Allah to serve and
worship him. They are technically incorporeal but can manifest themselves into a
form comprehendable by human eyes. Their existence has sometimes been described
as ethereal.
The four Archangels Muslims are required to acknowledge as part of surrender
to Islam are:
Jibra'il (Gabriel in English). Gabriel is the Archangel responsible
for revealing the Qu'ran to Muhammad sura by sura. He is mentioned specially in
the Qu'ran.
Azra'il (Azrael in English). Azrael is the Angel of Death whose
helpers are the ones (including himself) that are responsible for parting the
soul of the human with the body. The actual process of separating the soul from
the body depends on the history or record of good or bad deeds of the person. If
the human was a bad person in his life, the soul is ripped out very painfully.
But if the human was a righteous person, then the soul is separated like a 'drop
of water dripping from glass'.
Mika'il (Michael in English). Michael is the Archangel charged with
bringing down the thunder and lightning onto the Earth. He is also responsible
for the rewards doled out to good persons in this life. He is sometimes
partnered with Gabriel in some contexts (but not in the Qu'ran though).
Israfil (Raphael in English). Israfil is the Angel responsible for
blowing the horn and signalling the coming of Judgement Day.
The Qu'ran also mentions angels occupy the realms of the Seven Hells. A verse
stipulates:
"O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel
is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern and severe, who
flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do
(precisely) what they are commanded." [al-Tahreem 66:6]
The Qu'ran also mentions that angels (like in Christian and Catholoic belief)
have wings to which they fly. Another verse stipulates :
"Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth,
Who made the angel messengers with wings - two, or three, or four (pairs) and
adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things." [Faatir
35:1]
The preceding sentence does not imply that all angels only have two to four
wings. Most notably, Archangels (namely Gabriel and Michael) are described as
having thousands of wings. Tradition also notes that certain angels, created
solely for the purpose of praising God, have 70 thousand heads, each with 70
thousand mouths that speak 70 thousand languages solely to sing praises for the
Almighty. This type of angel, whose type is nameless, was described as the type
of angel that accompanied Mohammed up to Heaven when he received commands from
God. Although specifically, Mohammed did not ride on the angel as some would
assume, but he rode a magnificent creature, called a Buroch whose stride
supposedly spanned from horizon to horizon.
Angels in Islam are also beautiful creatures, as another verse stipulates:
"He [the Prophet] has been taught by one Mighty in Power, Dhoo Mirrah (free
from any defect in body and mind), then he rose and became stable." [al-Najm
53:5-6]
". . . When they [the women] saw him, they did extol him and (in their
amazement) cut their hands: they said: ‘Allah preserve us! No mortal is this!
This is none other than a noble angel!’" [Yoosuf 12:31]
Angels do not have any gender, God did not create them divided by gender
since they are asexual and do not reproduce. But however, in the Qu'ran and
Bible, Archangels are referred to as 'he' or 'he is'. This is due to the
languages use of nouns and designation of what is feminine or masculine. Such as
in English, a warship is usually a feminine noun, and thus referred to as 'her'
or 'she'. This is not to personify the object and apply anthropomorphistic
attributes, but merely as a designation of respect. This is the same case with
Angels, and their references in the Qu'ran. They are always referred to as 'he'
or 'him', mainly due to the fact that the word for angel in Arabic is a
masculine noun. It is convention, when you refer to an angel in any context, to
use masculine guises.
There are Verses in the Qu'ran that name Angels directly, Gabriel (Jibreel)
and Michael (Mikaa'eel) are mentioned early on the Qu'ran in the second sura:
"Say: Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel - for he brings down the (revelation) to
your heart by Allah’s will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and
glad tidings to those who believe - Whoever is an enemy to Allah, and His angels
and prophets, to Jibreel and Mikaa’eel - Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who
reject Faith." [al-Baqarah 2:97-98]
found at: en.wikipedia.org
Olga's Gallery
Russian Icon. The Archamgel Gabriel. From Deesis Range. 14th
century. Pskov school. 104 x 63 cm. The Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Intercession of the Blessed
Messenger
When the sinful believers have suffered their
punishment in the Fire of Hell, the Almighty Lord will say to Gabriel: “O
Gabriel, what are the disobedient members of the Community of Muhammad doing in
Hell?” To this, Gabriel will reply: “O Lord, You are All-Knowing. You
know better than I the condition they are in.” The All-Glorious One will
say: “O Gabriel, go and inspect their condition.” The venerable Gabriel
will go and find Malik, the governor of Hell, sitting on a cushion in the middle
of the Fire. Malik will stand up out of respect for the blessed Gabriel, to whom
he will say: “O Gabriel, why have you come here?” To this question,
Gabriel will reply: “O Malik, I have been sent here to see what the
rebellious members of the Community of Muhammad are doing.” Then Malik will
say: “Do not ask about the condition of these people. They are in a very bad
state, their places are very narrow. The fire has burned and obliterated their
bodies. Only their faces and their hearts can be saved because of their
faith.” Gabriel will say: “O Malik, raise the curtain that covers them
and let me look at them myself. I have been instructed to do
so.”
Allah, save us from the Fire, and admit us to Paradise with the
righteous…
-Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi, Irshad (Wisdom
of a Sufi Master) 
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The Guide informed Mustapha about the existence of higher beings
"There are a number of orders of Angels.
1. There are many good spirits & souls of good intent who are associated with individual human beings. By acting as guardian spirits they grow and evolve whilst in spirit form and contribute to the Good.
2. There are of course many negative and demonic spirits who also attach themselves to people and places.
3. The higher orders of Angels work on a broader plane, influencing the direction of human and ecological development on the earth and on other planets and spheres.
Therefore ‘Guardian Angel’ spirits and Angels should not be confused. The higher beings have much greater powers of cognition, omniscience and ability to influence events on earth, but also greater responsibilities.
They must maintain equilibrium in their own consciousness and their closeness to The Father. Glory to The Father. This is secret and profound knowledge.
The higher beings have the capability to maintain many hundreds of relationships simultaneously and to communicate simultaneously to many individuals at the same time and in different guises which allow best communication with that person.
It was this energy vibration which spoke to those teachers and prophets of ancient times as directed by The Father.
In modern times electronics and stock markets are the medium of prophecy and there will be new prophets of the internet age."
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found at: www.christthesaviour.orgfound at: www.christthesaviour.org
found at: http://www.christthesaviour.org
Orthodox Christian Church Of Christ The Saviour
The Archangel Michael
The Holy Archangel Michael
and all the Bodiless Powers
of Heaven (November 8)
The angels of God have been commemorated by men from the earliest times, but this commemoration often degenerates into the divinization of angels (IV Kings 23:5; A.V. II Kings). Heretics always wove fantasies round the angels. Some of them saw the angels as gods and others, if they did not so regard them, took them to be the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council in Laodicea, that was held in the fourth century, rejected in its 35th Canon the worship of angels as gods, and established the proper veneration of them. In the time of Pope Sylvester of Rome and the Alexandrian Patriarch Alexander, in the fourth century, this Feast of the Archangel Michael and the other heavenly powers was instituted, to be celebrated in November. Why in November Because November is the ninth month after March, and it is thought that the world was created in the month of March. The ninth month after March was chosen because of the nine orders of angels that were the first created beings. St Dionysius the Areopagite, writes of these nine orders in his book, "Celestial Hierarchies." These orders are as follows: six‑winged Seraphim, many‑eyed Cherubim, godly Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
In Mother Alexandra's book, "The Holy Angels," these nine orders are further divided into three hierarchies. The third level includes Michael with the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Their special domain is the earth. they execute God's will, are continuous guardians of the children of men, and messengers of God. The holy angels are "more than the bearers of divine messages and the guides of men: they are bearers of the very Name and Power of God . they are flashes of the light and strength of the Almighty Lord."
The leader of the whole angelic army is the Archangel Michael. He is mentioned by name four times in Scripture: twice in Dan (10:13 ff. and 12:1), where he is represented a the helper of the Chosen People, once in Jude (v.9), disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, and once in Rev. (12:7-9), fighting the dragon. In Joshua 5:13-15, a "man" with a drawn sword in his hand appeared before Joshua, identifying himself as the "commander of the army of the Lord."
By tradition, the Archangel Michael also represents the "cherubs and the fiery sword that turns about to keep the way of the tree of life" from Adam and Eve after God had expelled them from the "Garden of Delight" (Gen. 3:25. Since the sanctuary represents the Kingdom of Life, the movement from the sanctuary is always out through this door, while the door with the Archangel Gabriel represents our return to Paradise, because he announced to the Virgin the Good News that Immanuel was to come: God with us.
Archangel Michael also plays an important part in the apocryphal literature, e.g. in the "Assumption of Moses," in "Enoch," and in the "Ascension of Isaiah," where he appears as "the great captain" "who is set over the best part of mankind." In connection with the scriptural and apocryphal passages he was early regarded in the Church as the helper of Christian armies against the heathen, and as a protector of individual Christians against the devil, especially at the hour of death, when he conducts the souls to God. His cult originated in Phrygia, where he was chiefly venerated as a healer, and many hot springs were dedicated to him both in Greece and Asia.
When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God, and carried half the angels with him to destruction, then Michael arose and cried to the un-fallen angels: "Let us give heed! Let us stand aright; let us stand with fear!" and the whole angelic army sang aloud: "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!" Among the angels there rules a perfect unity of mind, of soul and of love; of total obedience of the lesser powers to the greater and of all to the holy will of God. Each nation has its guardian angel, as does each individual Christian. We must keep in mind that, whatever we do, openly or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel and that, on the Day of Judgment, a great multitude of the holy angels of heaven will be gathered around the throne of Christ, and the thoughts, words and deeds of every man will be laid bare before them. May God have mercy on us and save us at the prayers of the holy Archangel Michael and all the bodiless powers of heaven. Amen. 
The Archangel Gabriel
The Other Bodiless Powers Commemorated
That the angels are constantly involved in this world is testified to, clearly and unmistakably, in Holy Scripture. Both from the Scriptures and from Holy Tradition, the Orthodox Church has learned the names of the seven leaders of the heavenly powers: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel (and to these is sometimes added an eighth, Jeremiel).
- "Michael" in Hebrew means "Who is like God " or "Who is equal to God " St Michael was depicted in the earliest Christian times as a leader, bearing a spear in his right hand with which he attacks Lucifer, Satan, and holding in his left hand a branch of green palm. At the top of the spear is a plaited braid with a red Cross. On our icons, Michael and Gabriel have lightening bolts streaming from their heads, signifying the speed with which they move from one place to another. The Archangel Michael is considered especially to be the guardian of the Orthodox faith and a fighter against heresy.
- "Gabriel" means "man of God" or "power of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the mystery of the Incarnation and all those that are linked with it.
- Raphael" means "God's healing," or "God the Healer" (Tobias 3:17; 12:15).
- "Uriel" means "fire" or "light of God" (II Esdras 4:1; 5:20)
- "Salathiel" means "one who prays to God" (I1 Esdras 5:16).
- "Jegudiel" means "one who glorifies God."
- "Barachiel" means "the blessing of God."
- "Jeremiel" means "God's exaltation." He is venerated as an inspirer and awakener of those higher thoughts that raise a man God‑ward.
- Composite of the Prologue, ODCC, and Mother Alexandra, The Holy Angels.
Troparion Tone IV
Supreme commanders of the heavenly armies, we, the unworthy, do ever entreat you, that by your prayers ye surround us with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us that earnestly fall down before you and cry aloud: Deliver us from misfortunes, in that ye are the leaders of the hosts on high.
Kontakion Tone II
O ye chief commanders of God, ministers of glory divine, captains of the angels and instructors of men: beg ye great mercy and that which is profitable for us, for ye are the supreme commanders of the bodiless hosts. |
Link: http://www.christ thesaviour.org/St-Michael-etal.htm Link: http://www.christthesaviour.org/St-Michael-etal.htmLink: http://www.christthesaviour.org/St-Michael-etal.htm
found at: sufistic.blogspot.comfound at: sufistic.blogspot.com
The Intercession of the Blessed Messenger
When the sinful believers have suffered their punishment in the Fire of Hell, the Almighty Lord will say to Gabriel: “O Gabriel, what are the disobedient members of the Community of Muhammad doing in Hell To this, Gabriel will reply: “O Lord, You are All-Knowing. You know better than I the condition they are in. The All-Glorious One will say: “O Gabriel, go and inspect their condition. The venerable Gabriel will go and find Malik, the governor of Hell, sitting on a cushion in the middle of the Fire. Malik will stand up out of respect for the blessed Gabriel, to whom he will say: “O Gabriel, why have you come here To this question, Gabriel will reply: “O Malik, I have been sent here to see what the rebellious members of the Community of Muhammad are doing. Then Malik will say: “Do not ask about the condition of these people. They are in a very bad state, their places are very narrow. The fire has burned and obliterated their bodies. Only their faces and their hearts can be saved because of their faith. Gabriel will say: “O Malik, raise the curtain that covers them and let me look at them myself. I have been instructed to do so.
Allah, save us from the Fire, and admit us to Paradise with the righteous…
-Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi, Irshad (Wisdom of a Sufi Master)
Link: http://sufistic.blogspot.com
found at: www.batcave.co.uk
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Gabriel, Archangel Of Annunciation
"When I looked up from my drink of sorrow
the Archangel Gabriel,
gentle Gabriel,
Gabriel, Lord of Mercy
appeared to me." 
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Link: www.batcave.co.uk/cathedral/gabriel.htm
found at: http://www.saintgabriels.org/
| The Angel Gabriel
According to the Bible, there are seven archangels who "stand in the presence of God". (Tobit 12:15). Four of these are named at various places in the Bible or Apocrypha- Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel when he explains to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat and the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.
In the book of Revelation, the seven angels in turn blow their trumpets. When the last trumpet sounds, Voices from heaven proclaim;" The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ- And he shall reign for ever and ever." Although not directly stated in the Bible, according to legend it is Gabriel's trumpet that will announce the end of time.
Gabriel is best known as the angel of the ANNUNCIATION. It was Gabriel who announced to Elizabeth that she is to give birth to John the Baptist (Luke 1:19), and who tells the Virgin Mary that she is to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:26).
The Annunciation is one of the most commonly depicted scenes in Western Christian Art. Gabriel is usually shown kneeling before the Virgin, holding a lily (signifying purity) in his hand. Often there is in the background a walled garden or other enclosure signifying virginity. The Holy Spirit may be seen in the form of a dove.
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Link: http://www.saintgabriels.org/angel.html
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