Tradition identifies Saint Anne and Saint Joachim as the mother and father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. While their names are not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, they appear in the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal text dating to the second century. This text describes Anne and Joachim as a pious, childless couple who, after years of prayer, received the miraculous news that they would conceive a child. This child, Mary, was then dedicated to the service of God in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The recognition of Anne and Joachim as Mary’s parents holds significant importance within certain Christian traditions, particularly Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Their story underscores the belief in divine intervention and the special circumstances surrounding Mary’s birth and life. Veneration of these figures developed over centuries, leading to dedicated feast days and artistic representations in various forms. Understanding their role in the broader narrative contributes to a deeper appreciation of the theological context surrounding the birth of Jesus.
