Sts. Yuyakim and Hannah, parents of Virgin Mary

Sts. Yuyakim and Hannah, parents of Virgin Mary

December 8th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of Sts. Joachim & Anne according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Yuyakim & Mort Hannah (Deena) are the parents of St. Mary the mother of God. They are both descendants of King David, additionally St. Anne comes from the priestly tribe of Levi & is a descendant of Aaron. They were both very pious & god fearing. Apocryphal texts & Church tradition tells us that Mort Hannah (who's name means blessed in Hebrew) was barren & even to her old age could not have a child. They prayed & fasted continuously for a child, making a vow that their child will be offered unto God. An angel appeared before Hannah & said, “God has seen your tears. The fruit of your womb will be called ‘the blessed’ throughout the world.”Joachim also received a similar command. God blessed them with a child, whom they named Mariam. As St. Mary was born to her parents in their old age, at the age of 3 she was offered to the temple as fulfillment of their vow. This event was once a Feast in the Syriac Orthodox Church Liturgical Calendar being celebrated on November 21st each year. After offering Mariam to the temple Joachim died & he was entombed in Jerusalem. Soon Hannah also died & was entombed along with her husband. The prayer from the book of daily offices (Sh'himo) on Friday morning reads, ”Mary became an orphan, for her parents passed away. She was left for the priests to take care of her. They took her to Jerusalem according to the command of Moses to be brought up there." St. Queen Helena built a Church over their tomb, which was later taken over & made into a madrassa (Islamic school) in the 9th century. Biography adapted from, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Yuyakim & Mort Hannah! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. RSoH