Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: July 25.

The Devout and Childless Lives of Joachim and Anna

Saint Joachim was a descendant of King David from the tribe of Judah, while Saint Anna belonged to the priestly tribe of Levi, daughter of Matthan the priest. Anna's sisters, Mary and Zoia, became the grandmothers of Salome and Saint Elizabeth (mother of Saint John the Forerunner), respectively, establishing a lineage of holy figures. Joachim and Anna were married for fifty years, living devoutly and quietly, sharing their income equally among themselves, the poor, and the Temple. Despite their righteous lives and Joachim's prosperity through God's blessing on his flocks, they remained childless into their old age, a source of great sorrow. When Joachim went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, the High Priest Issachar publicly shamed him for his barrenness, causing deep despair. Both Joachim and Anna then turned to fervent prayer, asking God for a child, echoing the miracle granted to Abraham and Sarah.

Divine Annunciation and Joyful Reunion

In their separate prayers, God intervened through the Archangel Gabriel. The Archangel appeared to Saint Joachim on a high mountain, where he had retreated in shame, and to Saint Anna in her garden. To each, Gabriel delivered the joyful tidings of the birth of "a daughter most blessed, by whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed, and through whom will come the salvation of the world." Both Joachim and Anna promised to dedicate this miraculously conceived child to God's service in the Temple. The Archangel instructed Joachim to return home, where he would find Anna waiting at the city gate. Their reunion at the gate, characterized by a loving embrace, is the traditional iconic representation of their feast day, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promise.

The Conception, Nativity, and Presentation of the Theotokos

Soon after the divine annunciation, Saint Anna conceived, and in the ninth month, gave birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church celebrates this miraculous Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God on December 9 and the Nativity of the Theotokos on September 8. Fulfilling their solemn promise, Saints Joachim and Anna brought their daughter Mary to the Temple at the age of three to be dedicated to the service of the Lord. They presented her to the priest Zechariah and, after offering the customary sacrifice, entrusted the young Virgin to be raised alongside other maidens within the sacred precincts of the Temple. The Church commemorates this significant event as the Presentation of the Theotokos on November 21, marking a crucial step in the preparation of Mary for her divine calling.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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