Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. Life
Saint Joachim was the husband of Saint Anne, the father of the Mother of God. Hagiography gives Joachim the following origin: “His genealogy is as follows: David’s son Nathan gave birth to a son, Levi, Levi gave birth to Melchia and Panfir, Panfir gave birth to Varpafir, and Varpafir gave birth to Joachim, the father of the Mother of God.” Joachim lived in Nazareth. He married Anna, the youngest daughter of the priest Matthan from the high priestly family of Aaron. According to her father, she was from the tribe of Levi, and according to her mother, she was from the tribe of Judah. The conception and birth of the Mother of God is known from the apocryphal Proto-Gospel of James (2nd century). According to this apocrypha, Joachim and Anna did not have children for a long time. When the high priest denied Joachim the right to make a sacrifice to God, since he “did not create offspring for Israel,” he withdrew into the desert, and his wife remained at home alone. At this time, they both had a vision of an angel who announced: “The Lord has heeded your prayer, you will conceive and give birth, and your offspring will be talked about all over the world.”
After this gospel, Joachim and Anna met at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. And so Joachim approached with his flocks, and Anna, who was standing at the gate, saw Joachim coming, and, running up, hugged him, and said: “I know now that the Lord has blessed me: being a widow, I am no longer a widow, being barren, I Now I’ll conceive!” And Joachim found peace in his home that day. (Proto-Gospel of James (4:7-8)). After this, Joachim came to the Jerusalem temple, saying: “If the Lord has mercy on me, then the priest’s golden plate will show me.” And Joachim brought his gifts, and looked intently at the plate, approaching the altar of the Lord, and did not see sin in himself. (Proto-Gospel of James (5:1-2)). Anna conceived, “the months allotted to her passed, and Anna gave birth in the ninth month.” The date of conception, December 9, was set on the basis that it would be 9 months from the date of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (September 8).
The four canonical Gospels do not mention the name of Mary's mother. Anna appears only in the apocryphal tradition, in particular in the Proto-Gospel of James, as well as in the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and the Golden Legend. The tradition was also influenced by the “Word on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” by Andrew of Crete (VII-VIII centuries). According to Jewish custom, on the 15th day after the birth of the baby, she was given the name indicated by the angel of God - Mary. The parents, out of gratitude to the Lord, promised to send the child to the Temple. Mary was brought into the Temple at the age of three. Joachim and Anna placed their daughter on the first step, and, to everyone’s amazement, three-year-old Mary climbed to the very top without outside help, where the high priest Zechariah received her.
According to his life, Joachim lived 80 years. Saint Anna died at the age of 79, two years after him, having spent them at the temple next to her daughter. Memory of the Dormition of Righteous Anna on August 7 (July 25, Old Art.). Joachim and Anna were buried near the future tomb of their daughter, as well as the grave of Joseph the Betrothed, in the Garden of Gethsemane, under the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. These tombs were located on the edge of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which lay between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
Library of the Russian Faith The Lives of the Righteous Saints Joachim and Anna. Great Menaion of Cheti →
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Description of the icon
There are icons in which spouses are depicted together and separately, in full height and shoulder-length. Anna's clothes are red, Joachim's chiton is green or brown. Most often they look like middle-aged people. Although Holy Scripture says that both were already old at the time of the birth of the Virgin Mary. This move is explained by the fact that, according to the teachings of the Church, all people in heavenly life will be 33 years old, like Christ at the time of the crucifixion.
The storylines are also very varied.
- The most popular is Anna and Joachim hugging or kissing each other. The icon demonstrates the fact of the conception of the Mother of God.
- There are also images that depict the joy of two spouses at the news of the Archangel Gabriel, who informed them about the imminent birth of their child.
- A rare image is the one in which Anna is depicted pregnant, and her husband points his hand to his stomach, rejoicing at the approaching birth of his daughter.
Holy Parents of Our Lady - There is one more episode - the very birth of the Virgin Mary. In this icon, Anna lies on her bed, with Joachim and the nurse standing nearby, bathing the baby.
- Icons with the third character, the grown-up Mary, are the rarest. On them, the Virgin Mary is already about three years old. She wears a bright purple Maforium with three stars, symbolizing virginity and royal dignity. The girl either stands between her parents on the ground or floats in the air, supported by them.
- There are compositions in which the Virgin Mary stands on a young tree, which symbolizes the beginning of New Testament history and the imminent coming of the Savior into the world of people.
There is another image with Anna and the little Mother of God. It somewhat resembles an image of the Mother of God with Jesus in her arms. But in this icon Anna hugs or kisses her daughter, who is holding a white lily in her hand, a symbol of purity.
Different versions of iconography can be found in the temples of the country. But all of them are equally revered and before some of them special prayers are held, during which married couples ask for the most sacred thing - the birth of a long-awaited child.
About prayers for children:
- Mother's prayer for her son's health
- Prayer to the Lord for children
- Prayers during childbirth
Veneration of the holy righteous Godfather Joachim and Anna
The Orthodox Church calls Joachim and Anna Godfathers, since they were the ancestors of Jesus Christ in the flesh.
Memorial Days:
- Assumption of St. Anna - August 7 (July 25, old style),
- memory of Godfather Joachim and Anna - September 22 (September 9, old style),
- Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Anna - December 22 (December 9, old style).
In 710, the relics and maforium of St. Anne were transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople. The records of medieval Western pilgrims report the discovery of the shoulder and palm of St. Anne in the Cyprus monastery of Stavrovouni.
Kontakion, Troparion and Canon to the Righteous Saints Joachim and Anna
Troparion, tone 1.
Who was in the lawful canopy of the righteous, the God-given Child is purebred to us, Joachim and Anna. On the same day, the divine church brightly triumphs and joyfully celebrates your honorable memory, glorifying the Father, who raised the horn of salvation for us in the house of God.
Kontakion, tone 2.
Now Anna is having fun, having resolved her misery. And he nourishes the Most Pure One, convening all, praising the One who bestowed, from her earthly lies, the one Mother, the inexperienced one.
Library of the Russian Faith Canon to the Holy Fathers Joachim and Anna →
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Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. Icons
In the iconographic tradition, there are both separate and joint images of the holy righteous Godfather Joachim and Anna. Icons where saints are depicted together are usually illustrations from their lives, showing some of the moments described in the apocrypha, for example, the meeting of the spouses after the joyful news of the conception of the Virgin Mary was announced to them. Joachim and Anna in the icon are in the center of the composition. Around there are scenes of previous and subsequent events: a meeting with an angel, the birth of Mary, her introduction into the temple, etc.
Conception of the Mother of God. End of the 16th century Museum named after Andrey Rublev
Joachim and Anna. Detail of the fresco “Sacrifice of Joachim and Anna.” Last quarter of the 12th century. Church of St. George, Staraya Ladoga
Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, with the life of Joachim, Anna and the Mother of God. OK. 1500 Novgorod state. Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve, Novgorod
Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. Menaea December (fragment). Beginning of the 17th century Church-Archaeological Cabinet of the Moscow Theological Academy
Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. Minea September (fragment). Rus. Beginning of the 17th century Church-Archaeological Cabinet of the Moscow Theological Academy
Meeting of the righteous saints Joachim and Anna. Frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, western slope of the southern girth arch, 1641
On separate icons, the righteous saints Joachim and Anna are depicted full-length or waist-length. Saint Joachim is depicted with curly black hair with large gray streaks and a small roundish beard, wearing a tunic and a robe with excrements, and the holy righteous Anna is thin, with an oblong face and a sharp nose with a small hump; her underwear is a tunic, over the tunic there is a split veil, and there is a veil on her head. The earliest depiction of Saint Anne is from 8th-century frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome. A fresco from Farras (Egypt) dates back to the same century.
Holy Righteous Joachim. Church of the Assumption, Iznik (Nicaea), 1065–1067
Holy Righteous Anna. Church of the Assumption, Nicaea, Iznik. 1065–1067
Frescoes of the northwestern sail and the northern part of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozhsky Monastery in Pskov. Before 1156. On the northwestern sail is the Evangelist Luke, on the frontal part of the northern girth arch - St. Joachim, the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Frescoes of the southeastern sail and southern girth arch of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozhsky Monastery in Pskov. Before 1156. On the southeastern sail is depicted the Evangelist John, on the frontal part of the southern girth arch - Saint Anne, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. Holy Righteous Anne with the Mother of God. Icon. Serbia (?). XIV century. Museum "Sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra"
Conception of the Virgin Mary
Most information about the saints can be found in the apocrypha - ancient written monuments, which, however, are not included in the general church canon. According to the Proto-Gospel of James, Joachim and Anna led a decent life, but the Lord did not give them children. This served as a reason for reproaches to others, because It was believed that only sinful people do not have children. The couple was very upset; the lack of heirs was the only thing they lacked in life. They asked the Lord to give them offspring.
And then one day, while praying, an angel appeared to Joachim and Anna and announced that their prayers had been heard, Anna would soon give birth.
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The example of Saints Joachim and Anna shows the importance of what kind of spiritual purity parents should have in order to pass it on to their children. It is no coincidence that this particular couple was chosen as the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why did the Lord leave them childless for so long? To show His power, capable of defeating human weakness and all the laws of nature.
Patience with childlessness should also be a model for modern spouses who, for various reasons, are not given offspring. The righteous Joachim and Anna did not fall into despondency, did not turn to sorcerers, did not run to make sacrifices to idols - they prayed even more fervently, fasted and asked the Lord for the gift of children. And having received such a promise from the Angel, the parents decided to give their only consolation to the service of the Lord.
Temples in the name of the holy righteous Joachim and Anna
In the East, churches dedicated to the righteous saints Joachim and Anna appear from the 6th century, while in the West only in the 12th century. In the middle of the 6th century, a temple was built in Constantinople in the name of St. Anna. In the Middle Ages, in the cities of Apt (Provence) and Duren (Germany) they believed that they possessed the relics of Anna. In the West, increased veneration of Anna began in the 14th century. The first monastery in the name of the Holy Righteous Anne in the West arose in 701 in Floriac near Rouen.
Basilica of St. Anne in Jerusalem, 12th century
In the village of Brezova, Raska district of Serbia, there is a church in the name of Saints Joachim and Anna, also known as the Royal Church, in honor of its founder King Milutin. It was erected in 1314, in the form of a compressed cross, with an exterior in the shape of an octagonal dome. Built from stone and tuff.
Church of the Righteous Saints Joachim and Anna in Serbia
In Pskov, on Uspenskaya Street, there was the Yakimansky Convent (XIV century) and its main church in the name of the holy righteous Joachim and Anna (1544). The monastery was abolished in the 18th century, and the church became a parish. During Soviet times, the temple was closed. In 1947–1951 restoration took place here. The renewal of the church is now beginning.
Church of Joachim and Anna in Pskov
Also in the name of the righteous saints Joachim and Anna, the chapel of the Church of the Nativity in Yaroslavl . The Nativity Church in stone was built in 1635-1644 on the site of the wooden church of the same name.
Church of the Nativity with the chapel of Saints Joachim and Anna in Yaroslavl
Brief biography of the righteous Godfathers
The parents of the Holy Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Savior to the world, were barren. Joachim was the name of the husband, Anna was his pious wife. They lived in the Galilean city of Nazareth and were of a noble family, Joachim was one of the descendants of King David.
Useful materials
The family led a pious lifestyle, but had no children. So they lived childless to a ripe old age. In addition to the grief of their parents’ hearts over the absence of children, they also had to patiently endure reproach and contempt from their fellow countrymen. In those days, it was believed that the absence of children was God's punishment for a sinful life. But how wrong they were! This was not a punishment, but a test and preparation for the most important mission on earth - to become the parents of the one without whom there would have been neither the Nativity of Christ nor our salvation.
Interesting fact
The contempt from his compatriots was so cruel that during one of the Old Testament holidays, the serving priest did not accept the sacrifice made as a gift to God from a pious husband, considering it unworthy. Joachim's grief was so great that he could not return home, but retired to a deserted place, imposed a strict fast on himself and earnestly began to offer prayers to the Creator.
Having learned that the reason for her husband’s absence was his public humiliation, Anna tearfully begged God to give her a baby. The uncomplaining bearing of one’s cross, the endurance of unfair reproaches, the feat of prayer - everything was accepted by God. After 50 years of married life, the elderly parents were given a daughter, whom the holy parents named Mary, fulfilling a vow.
Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. Paintings
Many painters depicted the righteous saints Joachim and Anna on their canvases: Giotto di Bondone (1266-1337), Masolino da Panicale (c. 1383 - c. 1440), Masaccio (1401-1428), Albrecht Durer ( 1471-1528), Wolf Trout (1480-1520) and others.
Meeting of Anna and Joachim at the Golden Gate, Master of the Life of Mary, c. 1460, Alte Pinakothek
Introduction to the Temple, fresco by Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel
Saint Anne with Mary and the baby Jesus on her lap. Masolino and Masaccio. 1424-1425, Uffizi
Madonna and Child with Saint Anne. Durer
Holy Kin, Wolf Trout, 1514
What do the saints ask?
In the history of the Orthodox Church there are a number of examples of righteous married couples, among which Anna and Joachim stand out. Through their lives, they demonstrated to all believers many positive qualities that are worth following. Icons of saints are revered by many Christians with sincerity and special respect. Most often, believers turn to the parents of the Mother of God with prayers on topics related to marriage and life in family relationships. They also ask that the Almighty help them give birth to a child or improve their relationship with their spouse.
The icon of the mother of the Mother of God - righteous Anna, is considered a symbol of female humility, endurance and harmony in the home. This is due to the fact that during her life Anna had to endure many trials that arose due to a long period of childlessness. Despite the surrounding contempt, Anna did not lose hope and continued to pray, thanks to which a miracle happened and she became the mother of the Virgin Mary.
Holy Righteous Joachim and Anna. People's memory
Holy Righteous Anna is depicted on the coat of arms of the cities of Kobrin (Belarus), St. Annen (Germany), Jachimov (Czech Republic), Gorodets (Belarus).
From left to right: Coat of arms of Kobrin (Belarus), coat of arms of Jachimov (Czech Republic), Coat of arms of St. Annen (Germany)
The names of one of the streets of Moscow - Bolshaya Yakimanka and the villages in the Shuisky district of the Ivanovo region - Yakimanna were formed from the combined pronunciation of the names of the righteous saints Joachim and Anna.
