May 11, 2005
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I have Joachim and Anna on my mind. I turned 15 weeks pregnant yesterday (Tuesday) . The boys and I had a nice day yesterday. I have several best friends and we all got together with our children for lunch at my friend’s house . Between the four of us we have 11 dc with one on the way
I have been so sick these last 4 months that I have not been able to get together with my friends at all. Today was beautiful and all the children had so much had fun. Anyway getting back to Joachim and Anna. If we have a boy we will name him Joachim. I just found out that a dear web friend of mine who lost her baby last month has given the baby the name Anna. I am so sad for my friend as we were having fun going through our pregnancies together and I am so sad for her loss. Please keep Lisa and Tommy in your prayers, they have been through so much. 
Here is one of my favorite icons of Sts. Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Mother of God.
Saints Joachim and Anna
September 22
S
t. Joachim was of the tribe of Judah, and a descendant of King David. Anna was the daughter of Matthan the priest, of the tribe of Levi as was Aaron the High Priest. Matthan had three daughters: Mary, Zoia and Anna. Mary was married in Bethlehem and bore Salome; Zoia was also married in Bethlehem and bore Elisabeth, the mother of St. John the Forerunner; and Anna was married in Nazareth to Joachim, and in old age gave birth to Mary, the most holy Mother of God. Joachim and Anna had been married for fifty years, and were barren. They lived devoutly and quietly, using only a third of their income for themselves and giving a third to the poor and a third to the Temple, and they were well provided for. Once, when they were already old and were in Jerusalem to offer sacrifice to God, the High Priest, Issachar, upbraided Joachim, “You are not worthy to offer sacrifice with those childless hands.” Others who had children jostled Joachim, thrusting him back as unworthy. This caused great grief to the two aged souls, and they went home with very heavy hearts. Then the two of them gave themselves to prayer to God that He would work in them the wonder that He had worked in Abraham and Sarah, and give them a child to comfort their old age. God sent them His angel, who gave them 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.” Anna conceived at once, and in the ninth month gave birth to the holy Virgin Mary. St. Joachim lived for eighty years and Anna for seventy-nine, and they both entered into the kingdom of God.
Troparion, Tone 5:
Let us sing praises to Joachim and Anna,/ the couple honored by God/ (and they are His kinsmen)./ They have borne for us the Maiden/ who in a manner beyond understanding/ gave birth to Him Who though fleshless,/ became the incarnate to save the world./ With her they intercede for our souls.
Kontakion, Tone 2:
Anna rejoices, released from her barrenness,/ and nurses her most pure child./ She calls all people to glorify Him/ Who gave the Virgin Mother to mankind from her womb.
Comments (12)
I LOVE the name Anna!! :goodjob: Can you tell me how to pronounce Joachim?
OH! Forgot to say I’m so happy to hear you were able to get out some!! :coolman: I bet it was so fun to have so many children all together too! I can imagine all the energy and giggles :lol:
Thanks Sarah! :sunny: Yes I am glad I forced myself to go! My friends were happily surprised to see me and we all had a good time. I am so thankful that Fr. could drive me and the dc. He even stayed for lunch and pushed the dc on the swings, that helped a lot. :heartbeat:
Joachim is prounouced – Joe a (short a) kim
Thanks Lisa! I was saying it without the short ‘a’ sound for some reason. It’s amazing how even when you are a Minister’s wife you still continue to keep learning. Now that you brought Joachim to my attention I want to study more about him and Anna! It sounds like the perfect St. for you to name your next baby boy with! :)
Send Tommy and Lisa (((HUGS))) for me! I think naming their baby Anna is really precious. I will be praying that the Lord brings them comfort and peace during such a sorrowful time.
Lisa,that is a beautiful Icon. So many Icons depict such loving relationships :heartbeat:
A relic of St. Anna visited my church recently. It was beautiful. I can still smell the myrrh.
Todd what a blessing!
LOL! Sarah you can be the wife of a Greek Orthodox Priest and still continue to be learning! Here is the thread on GM where I talk about the name Joachim. http://gracefulmothering.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=443&highlight=joachim It was my dear, well read Protestant friend, Beth (thank you Beth) that shared with about Protevangelion and where we read about Joachim and Anna. http://reluctant-messenger.com/book_james.htm . :heartbeat: Joachim and Anna are just known through the life of the Church we remember them, in prayer, at the end of every Divine Liturgy.
:shysmile: Thank you for that compliment. And Joachim and Anna are among my favorite saints too. :love:
Anna holds a special place in my heart. We named one of our twins Anna (after my Baba).
Where, btw, did you find your definition of Orthodoxy (on the left of your page)? May I use it or is it copyrighted?
Lisa, I am still so excited about God blessing you with another little one. I can’t WAIT to hear about his/her birth. :love:
How are the kids today? Improving with the antibiotics? Glad you could get out and enjoy the weather and your friends. It is cold here today, but I don’t mind. I’m a northerner.
Beth I am so appreciative of your knowledge, thank you again. :heartbeat:
Jeanne yes of course you can use it. :) I found it here but have seen it other places http://www.ourlifeinchrist.com/
Jennie thank you so much. Today I am so happy because my first cousin and his wife have been waiting for their little baby boy to come from Korea!! The pictures are so exciting of receiving baby Matthew at the airport! I thought of all my dear friends that are adoptive moms! Glory be to God for all things!
Khouria Michele , Sarah’s children are doing better, thank you for your prayers! :heartbeat: Funny it turned cold here today too. :( Just yesterday it was in the 80s and the boys were in the wadding pool. No :sunny: today though.