The maternal grandparents of Jesus are traditionally identified as Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. Information about them is not found in canonical Gospels but comes from apocryphal texts, such as the Gospel of James (also known as the Protoevangelium of James), written around the mid-2nd century. These texts offer narratives about Anne’s and Joachim’s lives, their difficulties in conceiving a child, and their eventual birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Understanding the role of Anne and Joachim, although based on extra-biblical tradition, provides context for some Catholic and Orthodox Christian beliefs and practices. Veneration of these figures emerged in the early church and remains prominent in certain traditions. Their inclusion in devotional practices reflects the importance attributed to family lineage and the divine plan for salvation in Christian thought. Examining these figures allows us to explore the development of early Christian narratives and traditions beyond the canonical scriptures. It offers insight into the evolving understanding of Mary’s significance and the cultural context surrounding the early Jesus movement.
