Sts. Anne and Joachim

Saints Anne and Joachim are the parents of Mary, the Mother of God, and thus the grandparents of Jesus. Not much is known about them, and what is part of the tradition mostly comes from apocryphal texts such as the Gospel of James, as well as the Quran. According to tradition, Anne and Joachim were not able to conceive any children until old age, where God rewarded their piety and they conceived Mary shortly before Joachim's death.


Lifetime: 1st century BC
Region: Judea
Patronages: Grandparents; Married couples; Child care providers
Iconograpy: Often portrayed together; Holding young Mary
Feast Day: July 26 (Western); September 9 (Eastern)

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