September 8th celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary (whose name in Hebrew means "Lady" or"Hope"), destined to be the Mother of God. Tradition holds taht her father, St. Joachim, was a descendent of the royal house of David, and her mother, St. Anna, a member of the archpriestly caste. Her birth, the fruit of their righteous, pious, God-fearing, and God-pleasing lives of prayer, patience, faith, and hope -- was met with great rejoicing. Her parents, in thanksgiving, brought abundant sacrifices to the Temple, distributed alms to the poor, and organized a bountiful banquet for the Levites.
SS. Joachim and Anna were not destined to live long enough to see their daughter's glory. Their rejoicing was occasioned by the removal of their long shame among the people at not having borne children. The church celebrates with the knowledge of all things which were to come.
This icon was commissioned by St. Mary of Egypt Church (OCA), Atlanta
