The name of the feast was finalized only in the seventh century. Earlier it was know variously as "The Conception of Christ," "Good News about Christ," "The Beginning of Redemption," and "The Good News of the Angel to Mary."

In the fourth century, St. Athanasius spoke of this as the first in the series of feasts and particularly venerated, since it inaugurates the dispensation of the salvation of humankind. It became even more exalted during the christological disputes of the following two centuries. Its rich hymnography explores the mystery of the incarnation and the majesty of the Mother of God. The canon was written in the eighth century by SS. John of Damascus and Theophanes, Metropolitan of Nicaea.

The 51" x 51" icon on the left was commissioned by St. Anthony's Antiochian Orthodox Church.