The Conception of Righteous Saint Anna

Commemorated on December 9/22

The Conception by Saint Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Mother of God, was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She entered into marriage with Saint Joachim, who was a native of Galilee.

For a long time Saint Anna was childless, but after a span of approximately twenty years, through the couple’s fervent prayer, an Angel of the Lord announced to them the conception of a daughter, who would bring a blessing to all the human race.

The majority of icons dedicated to the Conception of Saint Anna, portray the Most Holy Virgin trampling underfoot the serpent, representing the enemy of humanity.

There also exist icons, upon which Saint Anna holds on her left arm the Most Holy Virgin Mary as an infant and icons which depict the genealogy of Christ from  the line of Saint Anna.

From ancient times this feast was especially venerated by pregnant women and by couples who hope to conceive a child.

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