We often offer our prayers to the Lord and the Mother of God, undeservedly ignoring the people who contributed to the coming of the Savior into the world. And their story is as interesting as instructive. It’s not in vain that the icon “Joachim and Anna” is considered miraculous. Do you know her story? If not, then let's discover together what the meaning of the icon of "Joachim and Anna with the Virgin", whom she helps, who looks at her with hope.
The legend of Anna and her husband Joachim
In ancient times, it was considered shameful not to have children, but this happened. Joachim led his race from King David. It was believed that his father Warpafir received a sign from the Lord that the Savior of the world would be born from the seed of his great-grandchildren. Anna was the daughter of Matthan. She was from the family of Judah by her mother. These two were married and led a righteous life. The only misfortune was in their family - the absence of children. The couple did not despair, because the feeling is displeasing to the Lord. They prayed and waited for the coveted heir to appear. A lot of time passed, but a miracle did not happen. Once Joachim decided to take the gifts to the city of Jerusalem. At the end of the journey he was waiting for a terrible disappointment, like a bolt from the blue, striking to the very heart. The priest did not accept the gifts. He explained to the dejected Joachim that it was not worth the sinner to make offerings to God, they were not pleasing to Him. Probably, the priest had his own reasons for such cruel behavior, the legend does not speak about this. But a righteous man reacted very negatively to such news. He went to the wilderness to never appear before society. Sin tormented his righteous soul.
Fidelity and duty
To understand what the icon "Joachim and Anna" is for believers, it is possible only by fully studying their history. If you look superficially, then it seems that this is just a story about unhappy people. In fact, they are real heroes. But let's continue. Anna found out how the priest offended her beloved husband. She began to pray to the Lord that she would be given a child. It did not occur to the woman to condemn the clergyman, however, as well as her husband. They trusted this person as the representative of the Lord on earth. Their religious feelings were so deep that the usual critical thoughts for today's people simply did not occur. The couple prayed, Anna was at home, and Joachim in the wilderness. You need to understand that they accepted their fate as it is, did not complain and did not take offense. And their prayers were heard. A miracle happened!
What the icon "Meeting of Joachim and Anna" tells
The spouses appeared Heavenly Messenger. This messenger informed everyone that according to the will of the Almighty, they will have a daughter. But it will not be a simple girl. She has a special mission. As an adult, she will give birth to the Savior. Heavenly Messenger commanded the couple to meet in Jerusalem. They immediately went to this city. As the Lord commanded, in due time they had a daughter. They called the girl Maria. According to legend, shortly after the introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple, her father passed away. At that time, Joachim was already eighty years old. The wife survived him for two years. She moved to another world, too, in her advanced years (79). Agree, this is a real feat - to believe in a miracle until such a venerable age. This must be remembered when you want the icon "Joachim and Anna" to help. The story of the people from whom Jesus descends deserves the most careful and careful consideration.
Ordinary married couple?
The history and icon of the "Holy Righteous God-Father Joachim and Anna" teaches Christians the real sincere faith. And it consists in the humble acceptance of what the Almighty gives. Sin is resistance to the will of the Lord. It is necessary to distinguish between earthly activity and spiritual work, which is not the same thing. The spouses probably understood that the appearance of their child was unlikely. Once in a year or two, conception did not occur, then why will it become possible in old age? And according to legend, a daughter was born to them when both were deep in sixty years. And yet they did not despair, did not part with hope. People piously believed, a miracle is possible, it will happen when the Lord permits. This is what the icon of "Joachim and Anna" is about: you cannot let despondency into your soul. This feeling is incompatible with real faith. And the Lord will always give exactly what a person deserves.
Icon "Anna and Joachim": what helps?
These saints are addressed by people who have problems in family construction. With their lives, Anna and Joachim proved the Lord's mercy to those who are faithful to love and trust in His help. Therefore, the saints are prayed for the conception of the baby, for advice on raising a child, if there are problems in relations with him. Women turn to the icon with a request to mitigate the character of the spouse. The saints demonstrated incredible fidelity and tenderness of union. They have been together for more than half a century, supporting each other in grief and suffering. They are addressed by those who feel lonely, having a spouse. But most prayer words are addressed to saints who did not receive the highest blessing for conception. Doctors make a terrible diagnosis - infertility. However, there are many cases where it turns out to be erroneous. It is only necessary to trust in the mercy of the Lord and not give up, not be depressed.
How to turn to saints
Let's fill in the general gaps in religious education a little. A person, as a rule, is able to find information on which icon to go with his problem. But when he faces the saints, he is lost. People are looking for clues in prayer books, do not believe in their ability to talk with those whose help they decided to resort to. Is that what Jesus taught? He said that prayer should come from the bottom of the heart. It is necessary to speak with God in private, using his feelings, trusting him with his problems, opening his soul. Texts created by many generations of talented people are only help in studying the science of communication with the Lord. Think about it when the icon “Joachim and Anna” appears in front of you. One should pray for the conception of a child with all his heart, believing the Almighty sorrows, the most secret fears, opening up hopes. Only in this way can one count on His help.
Conclusion
According to Christian tradition, prayers conceive about the conception for forty days in a row. It should be noted that no one forbids continuing regular treatment of saints. Study the lives of these people, imbued with their problems and ways to overcome the hardships that they considered true. Over time, saints will become friends with you, looking with kindness and compassion on sorrows, ready to "turn your shoulder", listen to complaints, rejoice in victories and successes. The Lord gave these people an extraordinary daughter in old age. Say you had to suffer too long? Remember the wisdom of the people, which says that the Lord cannot afford burdens. And it helps to cope with them with affectionate advice or a hint, a person fails the right person or a chance throws up. Do you see these signs or consider it better to plunge into gloom and unbelief? Look for the answer in your soul before you go to the icon depicting the faces of real heroes, who gave the world the opportunity to meet with the Savior.