Who are Saints Anna and Joachim
Information about the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary is contained in apocryphal sources. These are those descriptions of the life of Christ and His loved ones that were not included in the canonical Holy Scripture, but are considered quite spiritually beneficial for Christians. This apocryphal Gospel of James tells about the family of the Virgin Mary.
The pious spouses Anna and Joachim lived in the city of Nazareth. The Virgin Mary's father came from the family of King David, and her mother came from the tribes of Judah and Levi. The family was distinguished by great piety and virtue, but they had one sadness - the absence of children. In those days in Israel, the inability to bear a child was considered a punishment for sins.
This was due to the Jewish belief that one day the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would be born among the Jewish people. Therefore, it was very important to continue our family line. If there was no child in the family, it means that God is punishing her. People ridiculed and humiliated their childless fellow tribesmen.
Traditionally, it was believed that infertility is a problem exclusively for women. Therefore, a childless man was allowed and even supposed to divorce his wife if she never gave birth to an heir. Joachim was also advised to do this, but he loved his wife and did not want to leave her. Together they prayed a lot to the Lord and asked to give them a child. So they lived until they were 70 years old.
One day Joachim went to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice to God in the great temple. But the local high priests, having learned that the elderly man was childless, accused him of sinfulness and did not allow him to the altar. The humble righteous man was kicked out of God's monastery, and he went into the desert in deep sadness.
Worried about his sinfulness, he prayed and fasted for several days. At the same time, at home, in Nazareth, Anna prayed with excitement, worrying about the fate of her husband. And when they were already on the verge of despair, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to both of them and announced that they would give birth to a daughter, whom all humanity would rejoice at.
Having heard the good news, Joachim headed back to Jerusalem, where his beloved wife met him. It is believed that this is when Mary was conceived. The image of happy spouses meeting after separation and hugging is one of the traditional methods of iconographic depiction of the righteous couple.
When the long-awaited child was born, the parents decided to dedicate their daughter to God. Therefore, when Mary was three years old, she was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem, where she lived until her betrothal to Joseph. Joachim died three years after his daughter left home. Anna moved to the capital to take care of Mary as much as possible, but soon she also passed away.
Despite the fact that during their earthly life Joachim and Anna never saw the Savior, they were still given the happiness of becoming parents.
This became possible only thanks to their ardent and sincere faith.
Saint Euthymius the Great for infertility
Reverend Father Euthymie! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are a mountain in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we run to you and cry: teach us to walk in your way, teach us and guide us. Your entire holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying to the Lord for us. By your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy. Do not disgrace us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, having performed your miracles and beneficent mercies, confess you to be their patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercies, and to whom you helped the Father, do not reject us, their children, who are marching towards you in their footsteps. Standing before your most honorable icon, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them up on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help in our needs. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! Help all of us who flow to you with faith through your intercession to the Lord, and guide us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and move with hope into the blessed bosom of Abraham, where you now rest joyfully in your labors and struggles, glorifying God with all the saints , in the Trinity glorified, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
What do the saints pray for?
Orthodox Christians quite often turn to Saints Joachim and Anna. In the church tradition, a series of prayers, an akathist, and a canon are dedicated to them. It is believed that a request to the righteous couple helps in the same troubles from which they themselves suffered. Therefore, they are usually approached with the desire to have a child. But not only in childbirth can the parents of the Mother of God help.
Since their lives were filled with tender mutual love and care for each other, Joachim and Anna are prayed for the granting of family well-being in marriage. So that the union is as strong as that of the saints. If there is discord in the house, the spouses cannot reconcile and find peace, then it also makes sense to ask the righteous couple for help.
Well, of course, prayer to these saints will help raise a child correctly. After all, the daughter of Anna and her husband, newborn Mary, became the embodiment of the Divine miracle, joy, hope. Like no one else, this family understood how great a joy and responsibility it is to be a parent and raise a child.
You can contact Anna and Joachim with requests or thanks on their memorial days, which are celebrated several times a year: August 7, September 22, December 22. On these dates, you can go to church or pray at home in front of the image of the saints.
How to submit a note to the church
To submit a church note, you need to draw a cross on top, write “Prayer” and your request (for example, for health or the gift of a child) and the names of those who need prayer help. Only names for health are submitted for prayer services, that is, only for living, baptized Christians. You can pray and write notes not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones - children, friends, relatives. If a person is baptized, but does not believe and does not go to church, you can and should pray for him too. The prayer service, like any other service in the temple, is a general, joint prayer, therefore it is considered stronger than home prayer. You can order a prayer service in any church by writing a note in a church shop, or passing it online - if you want to be prayed for in several churches, in a monastery, or in front of a miraculous icon, where you cannot go in person.
According to church tradition, prayers and petitions are addressed not only to God and the Mother of God, but also to saints who during their lifetime helped other people and after death intercede for us before God.
Full texts of Orthodox prayers to Saints Joachim and Anna
As has already been written, Orthodox Christians greatly revere the righteous couple. There are three main prayers that are recommended to be read depending on the need. Spouses can read the prayer for the gift of a child together. It's the same with asking for well-being. But the last text is Anna’s personal request, read by a woman who wants to become a mother.
The Troparion is sung on holidays. Canons are also more often heard in churches on holidays, but there are no strict rules in this regard. You can turn to the righteous as needed. If a person feels in his heart the need to pray, then he should not be prohibited from doing so.
About conceiving a child
Oh, the ever-glorious righteous women of Christ, the holy godfathers Joachim and Anno, standing before the Heavenly Throne of the Great King and having great boldness towards Him, as from your Most Blessed Daughter, the Most Pure Mother of God and the Ever-Virgin Mary, who deigned to be incarnate! We, sinners and unworthy, resort to you, as a powerful intercessor and a zealous prayer book for us. Pray for His goodness, that He may turn away His anger from us, righteously moved against us by our deeds, and may, despising our countless sins, turn us to the path of repentance, and may He establish us on the path of His commandments. Also, with your prayers, preserve our life in the world, and in all good things, ask for good haste, all that we need from God for life and piety, granting us from all misfortunes and troubles and sudden deaths through your intercession, and protecting us from all enemies, visible and invisible, for let us live a quiet and silent life in all piety and purity, and having passed this temporary life in the world, we will achieve eternal peace, where, through your holy prayer, may we be made worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, to whom, together with the Father and the Most Holy Spirit, belongs all glory , honor and worship forever and ever. Amen.
About family well-being
O holy righteous woman, Godfathers Joachim and Anno! Pray to the Merciful Lord, that He may turn away His anger from us, who is righteously moved towards us by our deeds, and may, despising our countless sins, turn us, the servant of God (names), to the path of repentance, and may He establish us on the path of His commandments. Also, with your prayers in the world, save our life, and in all good things, ask for good haste, all that we need from God for life and piety, from all misfortunes and troubles and sudden death, through your intercession, delivering us and protecting us from all enemies, visible and invisible, and So in the world this temporary life has passed. Let us achieve eternal rest, where through your holy prayer may we be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, to whom, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be due all glory, honor and worship forever and ever.
Personal petition
Woe is me, Lord! Who will I be like? Neither to the birds of the air, nor to the beasts of the earth: for they too bring You, O Lord God, their fruit, but I alone am barren. Woe is me, Lord! I am alone, sinful, without offspring. You, who once gave Sarah the son Isaac in her old age. You, Who opened the womb of Anna, the mother of Your prophet Samuel, look now upon me and hear my prayers. Stop the sadness of my heart and open my womb, and make me, barren, fruitful, so that we bring what I have born to You as a gift, blessing, singing and glorifying Your mercy.
Troparion
Troparion to the righteous Joachim and Anna, parents of the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 2
We celebrate the memory of Thy righteous ones, O Lord, / thereby we pray to Thee, / / save our souls.
Troparion to the righteous Joachim and Anna, parents of the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 1
Who in lawful grace was righteous,/ Joachim and Anna gave birth to the God-given Child./ Meanwhile, today the Divine Church brightly triumphs,/ merrily celebrating, the Divine Church, honorable to your father knead,/glorify God,//who raised the horn of salvation for us in the house of David.
Canon
Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times, with the sign of the cross and bows from the waist).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done as it is in Heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, have mercy (12 times).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship our God the King (bow).
Come, let us bow down and bow down to Christ our King God (bow).
Come, let us bow and fall before Christ Himself, the King and our God (bow).
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity and bear away my sin before me. I have sinned against You alone, and I have created evil before You, so that You may be justified in Your words and overcome, never judge You. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, Thou hast loved the truth, Thou hast revealed to me Thy unknown and secret wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Give joy and gladness to my hearing; humble bones will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and cleanse all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward me with the joy of Your salvation, and strengthen me with the Master’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had wanted sacrifices, you would have given burnt offerings, but you would not have been pleased. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart, God will not despise. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then you will be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering, then they will lay the bullock on Your altar.
Symbol of faith
I believe in One God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in the One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, Who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, born, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to Whom all things were. For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human. She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And again the coming one will be judged with glory by the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Amen.
Song 1
Irmos: In the depths of the post, sometimes the Pharaonic all-army is a re-armed power, but the incarnate Word of all-evil sin consumed food, the glorified Lord, gloriously glorified.
I shine, the mental Sun that has risen, the flesh from Her, shining forth with virtues, you have been deemed worthy to give birth, God-wise Anno and the ever-blessed Joachim.
With all-round vision to God, the truly God-pleasing Joachim and the divine Anna, unswervingly praying, gave birth to the Most Pure Mother of God, the greatest holiness of all creation.
Exceeding the life, the life of the lordship, all together the parents are faster than the earthly, the Imperishable Virgin as she gave birth and the God-fathers are truly for the sake of the former.
Theotokos: The chief of salvation of all, most blessed Joachim and glorious Anna, who gave birth to the Pure, Immaculate, and Most Pure Mother of God, I accept this reward for this piety.
Song 3
Irmos: Having established my faith on the rock, you enlarged my mouth against my enemies, my spirit rejoiced, and always sang: none is holy, like our God, and none is righteous, What are you, Lord.
Barren, and deprived of children, and begging with the tears of the Creator, you were deemed worthy to give birth to the only Blessed One, God-pleasing Anno, calling, as if there is nothing holy, except You, Lord.
Having enriched his concubine with Divine grace, the divine and God-speaking Joachim was deigned to give birth to the intercessor of human salvation. We appeal to Neizha, for none are blameless, more than You, the Lady.
Let us sing to the all-honorable spouse, from whom the Virgin has arisen for us, who is greater than all creatures, having given birth to God; let us cry out to Him, for there is nothing holy, more than Thee, Lord.
Theotokos: Having escaped barren diarrhea, Anna gave birth to the Mother of God, for Eve most gloriously consumed reproach, we cry to Her, for none are blameless, more than You, the Lady.
Sedalen, voice 5
Joachim and Anna are triumphant, according to God it is worthy of grace to have gained and given birth to fruit, the temple is acceptable to God, the Virgin and Pure Mother of God, the only Blessed One, who continually prays for the salvation of our souls .
Song 4
Irmos: You came from the Virgin, not an intercessor, nor an angel, but the Lord Himself, incarnate, and you saved all mankind. Therefore I call You: glory to Your power, Lord.
Rejoicing, the Virgin receives from barrenness, Even for the sake of the barrenness of the world, the barrenness of the world has been resolved, giving birth to Christmas, God-wise and God-pleasing Joachim.
The Forefather of God Joachim now offers us a spiritual meal, the very rich one: for he gave birth to the Mother of God and the Incorruptible Young Lady.
Mortification and decay of people are offered by the saving grace of the Mother of God who wants to be, the Word of the Everlasting, indescribably incarnated.
From the root of Jesse the bud rose up, from which the rod grew, bearing a flower, ennobling all mankind with the world of the Divine.
Theotokos: Direct my life, Mother of God, to the commandments of the Divine instructing the incarnate Word from You, and instruct, O Virgin Mother, Mary, Bride of God, to the light.
Song 5
Irmos: Enlightenment of those lying in darkness, salvation of the desperate, Christ my Savior, to You in the morning, King of the world, enlighten me with Your radiance, for I know no other God to You.
A chaste duo, a shining dawn of purity, South of virginity with divine radiance, adorning the barren human nature of our generation Anna and Joachim, the God-pleasing.
The virgin, God-decorated throne, which surpassed all others, the hand of the Divine, the honest companion of chastity and the godly-wise duo, Anna and Joachim, are of all praise.
To the East from above I will appear, for the instruction of the lost, the luminous door of the divine Joachim and Anna, who lived wisely, gave birth to God-seers, and have been granted.
Of the New Law, the God-written tablet, on which the solution of sins of the Old Law was first represented by the Divine Word, as from a stone, now truncated by the wave of the Almighty from barrenness.
Theotokos: With Thy dawn, O Mother of God, to illuminate my mind, darkened by sin, commanded, O Virgin, ignorance to consume darkness and sins, for I have no other guardian than You.
Song 6
Irmos: Lying in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unsearchable abyss of Thy mercy: from aphids, God lift me up.
The fruitful seed, even from ancient times Anna received infertility, from the Divine illumination was granted to give birth to the Maiden, who rules over all creatures.
Now having given birth to barren children, by the will of God, by submission, the Virgin, who gave birth besides the carnal will, manifestly desired God Himself.
Isaiah was illuminated by the Spirit, the Nativity of Joachim and Anna, the scroll is new, in which the Word incarnate is written.
Theotokos: The sacrament is preceded by the sacrament: first, barren grace gave birth to salvation to the Intercessor, who appeared to us through the birth of virginity.
Kontakion, voice 2
Anna rejoices now, having resolved her infertility, and nourishes the Most Pure One, convening all to sing the praises of Him who was bestowed from her womb as one Mother and the Inexperienced.
Ikos
Having already been delivered from the bondage of childlessness through prayer, she now calls us to celebrate miracles and bring gifts to those born, praying before Her with love, even as sometimes the virgins forerunner soon, I rejoice even more crying: behold, the cry of all has come, behold, Adam is set free, like Anna the fruit of the vegetative state, one Mother and Inexperienced.
Song 7
Irmos: The ungodly command of the lawless tormentor raised a high flame: Christ spread spiritual dew to the Godly youth, He is Blessed and Glorified.
From the root, the holy twin, David, the godly, the all-holy rod, the Pure Virgin, born of the world, the most sacred flower to us, Christ, who shone without seed.
I shine the light of the many-bright Mother of God Anna, the divine, like a golden candlestick, bearing, enlightening the whole world with divine light, virginity with bright radiances.
The ancestor of glory, incarnate for the ineffable mercy of God Almighty from your God-wise Daughter, great wealth, now ask me, who have come running to you, for permission for my sins.
Theotokos: For being greater than the greatest of parents, the Lord of all creatures, the Most Pure Mary, who gave birth to God, was covered with flesh, being likened to us for her goodness in many ways.
Song 8
Irmos: Into the fiery furnace of the Jewish youths who came down and the flame into the dew of the one who transformed God, sing the works as if they were the Lord, and exalt them to all ages.
The Virgin Queen, honorable Joachim and chaste Anna, are adorned with the wealth of boiling virtues and the glory of the Divine, and all creation sings like the Mother of God.
A rod of strength was sent to us by you, friends of God, the All-Immaculate Bride, in the midst of whom we overcome the godless enemies, trampling on their deceits.
Weapons have been given to us from God's favor by you, most sacred companion, with which now we, faithfully, are crowned with beauty, the Pure Virgin Mother who gave birth to God.
The power of God will open the barren womb to bear fruit, and the Door of virginity will come with lordship, for the sake of which the Word will come to the earthly, incarnated as the ineffable word.
Theotokos: Holy liturgy from You Incarnate us for the sake of the enlightened duo of a fair number of Your parents, O Most Immaculate Lady, intercession for us with the blessings of heaven.
Song 9
Irmos: The Beginningless Parent, the Son, God and Lord, incarnated from the Virgin, appeared to us, darkened to enlighten, gathered scattered, thereby we magnify the All-Singing Mother of God.
Beings of one mind and one mind in virtue, O Most Pure Virgins of honesty and parents, diligently committing your most praiseworthy and glorious memory, most sacred ones, pray to be saved.
Destroy mortal pasture, glory, Life, the Mother of light, who consumed sowing and immortal life, which gave birth to the hope of faith for the sake of.
Red like the sun Joachim, united by the luminous moon Anna, gave birth to a ray of virginity, South of the Dawn of the Divine Being, united in the Flesh according to the Hypostasis, it arose to us.
Having lived chastely and piously, blessed ones, now you have received unspeakable sweets, having received the Epiphany from you, Who appeared to the world, Whom you pray to save our souls.
Luminous
Even Eve’s oath, the Consumer, is now born from barren elders, from Anna and Joachim, and from the angels we all owe our duty in songs, vernia, let us praise.
Theotokos: For from the sun is the sun and from the moon is the moon, from Anna and Joachim the All-Immaculate Young Lady was born and enlightened the ends of the world with Her radiance, Who sings, worthily pleases, accomplishes honor their memory.
It is worthy to eat, as you truly bless Theotokos, Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and Mother of Our God. The most honorable Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, the real Mother of God, we magnify You.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers, the saint (the name of the saint to whom the akathist was read, if to the Lord or the Mother of God, then we say nothing) and all the saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for Good and Lover of Humanity. Amen.
Lord Almighty
Hear us, Merciful and Almighty God, may Thy grace be sent down through our prayer. Be merciful, Lord, to our prayer, remember Your Law about the multiplication of the human race and be a merciful Patron, so that with Your help what You have established will be preserved. By Your sovereign power You created everything out of nothing and laid the foundation for everything that exists in the world - You created man in Your image and, with a sublime mystery, sanctified the union of marriage and the foreshadowing of the mystery of the unity of Christ with the Church. Look, O Merciful One, on these Thy servants (names), united in a marital union and begging for Thy help, may Thy mercy be upon them, may they be fruitful and may they see the son of their sons even to the third and fourth generation and live to the desired old age and will enter the Kingdom of Heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due, together with the Holy Spirit, forever.
Reading rules
Anna and Joachim are allowed to pray both in church and at home. If there is a real need, you can purchase an icon of the righteous couple. Despite the fact that this is a rare image, it is possible that it can be found in a church shop or on workshop sites on the Internet. Of course, when a person intends to especially pray to a saint, he must do this in front of the icon.
When turning to God and the righteous, you need to light a lamp or candle. It is necessary to renounce all worldly concerns. In the event that spouses have very serious problems and are on the verge of despair, prayer can help. Sometimes, with the blessing of a spiritual shepherd, a person reads a canon or akathist for 40 days. It helps solve a problem or find comfort. But for such large obligations it is necessary to obtain the permission of the priest.
To the Venerable Alexander of Svirsky about the gift of a male child
O sacred head, earthly angel and heavenly man, venerable and God-bearing Father Alexandra, great servant of the Most Holy and Consubstantial Trinity, show many mercies to those living in your holy monastery and to all who flow to you with faith and love. Ask us everything that is useful for this temporary life, and even more necessary for our eternal salvation. Help with your intercession, servant of God, the ruler of our country, Russia. And may the holy Orthodox Church of Christ abide deeply in the world. Be to all of us, miracle-working saint, a quick helper in every sorrow and situation. Most of all, at the hour of our death, the merciful intercessor appears to us, so that we may not be betrayed in the ordeals of the air by the power of the evil ruler of the world, but may we be honored with a stumbling-free ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven. Hey, Father, our dear prayer book! Do not disgrace our hope, do not despise our humble prayers, but always intercede for us before the Throne of the Life-Giving Trinity, so that together with you and with all the saints, even if we are unworthy, we may be worthy to glorify in the villages of paradise the greatness, grace and mercy of the One God in the Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
To the list of prayers
What to do if the marriage is childless
Several years pass, and the couple still has no heirs. In a sense, parenting is a feat - you have to give up your own plans, take on many tasks, and great responsibility. But according to the priests, the absence of children does not mean that people are guilty of something. The main task of Christian life is to save your soul. So don't worry too much. Often people are simply given time to prepare.
The most important thing is to maintain trust in the Creator, He has a plan for everyone. Sacred history knows many cases when a couple begged for children already in old age. We should not give up hope - we must continue to pray for the gift of children. If possible, visit holy places and make a pilgrimage. Perhaps this is how feelings between spouses are tested. Often shared experiences bring people very close.
