According to tradition within the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, the parents of Mary, mother of Jesus, are known as Saint Joachim and Saint Anne. While not explicitly named in the canonical Gospels, their names and stories appear in apocryphal texts, such as the Gospel of James and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. These texts, while not considered part of the biblical canon, provide narratives about Mary’s childhood and parentage, portraying Joachim and Anne as pious individuals who remained childless for many years before miraculously conceiving Mary.
Understanding the lineage and family context surrounding Mary provides valuable insights into the cultural and religious landscape in which Jesus was born and raised. It offers a deeper appreciation for the beliefs and traditions surrounding the figure of Mary within Christian history. The veneration of Joachim and Anne as saints reflects the importance attributed to family and lineage within both Jewish and early Christian communities. This understanding helps illuminate the social and religious context of the New Testament narratives.