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Nine months before the birth of Christ, the Virgin Theotokos is visited by the ArchangelGabriel with the gladdest of tidings: that she shall conceive and bear a son, and that this son’s nameshall be Emmanuel (meaning “God with us”).

Prostrating (kneeling and touching one’s head to the floor) is a mainstay of Orthodox Christian piety. We do itas a physical way to cultivate humility and to focus our prayers, literally lowering ourselves as we request God’s mercy.

Since Great Lentis a time of preparation for that Resurrection, a time characterized by remembrance of our sinfulness and ourseparation from God, we do not perform the regular Divine Liturgy during the weekdays of Lent.