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Today, September 22, the Church celebrates the feast of the parents of the Theotokos – Saint Joachim and Saint Anna.translated

September 21, 2026 · 1 min read

The Orthodox Church commemorates the holy Righteous Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Most Holy Theotokos, on September 22.

It is known that the righteous Joachim came from the lineage of King David, while Saint Anna was from the lineage of High Priest Aaron.

Having been childless for a long time, Joachim and Anna made a vow to God that if they were blessed with a child, they would dedicate it to Him.

The Lord heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. When the couple had lived together for nearly 50 years, He granted them a daughter whom they named Mary. It was this very Mary who later became the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

After the birth of their daughter, the righteous Joachim and Anna brought thanksgiving offerings and made another vow – that their daughter would not walk on the earth until she was presented in the Church of God. This happened when Mary was three years old.

Mary remained to live and serve at the Jerusalem Temple – there she studied with other girls, learned the Holy Scriptures, spun and sewed priestly vestments. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary lived in the church until the age of 12.

Soon after Mary's departure, Joachim died, while Anna continued to live for several more years with her daughter at the church. According to tradition, she died at the age of 79.