Anna, also known as St. Anne, is known by tradition as the mother of The Virgin Mary.

According to the non-canonical Gospel of James, Anna and her husband Joachim, after years of childlessness, were visited by an angel who told them that they would conceive a child. Anna promised to dedicate the child to God's service. Joachim and Anna brought Mary to live in the Second Temple when Mary was about three years old. St. Anne is a patron saint of Quebec and Brittany, and patroness of women in labor and miners.

The story is similar to the story of Samuel whose mother had also been childless and was named Hannah. The story was not accepted in the Western church until the 13th century although, in the Eastern church, dedications to Saint Anna date to the 6th century. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Anna is ascribed the title Forbear of God.

In Western iconography, Anna may be recognised by her depiction in red robe and green mantle, often holding a book. Images may also be found depicting Anna holding a small Mary who in turn holds an infant Christ — more elaborate carved statuettes open up to reveal Mary inside Anna with Christ in turn inside her. Such trinitarian representations mirror similar depictions of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and were sometimes produced as pairs.

In the 4th century, and then much later in the 15th century, a belief arose that Mary was born of Anna by virgin birth. This was denied as an error by the Vatican in 1677. However, it is held that Mary's was an Immaculate Conception.

Her feast day is 26 July (Western calendar) and 25 July (Eastern calendar).

See also

• The Virgin and Child with St. Anne

External links

• Saint Anne in the Catholic Encyclopedia

Saints

Сьвятая Ганна | Анна (света) | Heilige Anna | Sainte Anne | Ana, nai de María | Anna | Szent Anna (Szűz Mária édesanyja) | Anna (heilige) | Święta Anna | Santa Ana | Sveta Ana | Svätá Anna | Sveta Ana | Pyhä Anna | Anna (Marias moder)