ICON: Shows St Anne reclining on a couch attended by women. In the foreground is the midwife preparing to wash the newborn Mary. Joachim is often shown in the icon but not in all icons of the Nativity.

We do not know many details about the lives of Mary’s parents, Joachim, and Anne, because they are not mentioned in the New Testament. Everything we know about them comes from tradition―the stories people told about them. The early writings of St James, known as the Protoevangelium of James, provide some insight. Joachim and Anne, where childless and this was believed to be a sign of divine displeasure. 

It is said, Angels appeared to them with the prophesy of the miraculous birth of a child, who would be honoured for all generations, “The Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth; and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world.”

Months later, Anne, gave birth, to Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos. Destined before all ages for her role in Jesus’ life. Mary from the day of her birth is represented as the spotless one.