Saint Joachim was the son of Bar-Panther (Varpafir), of the tribe of Judah and a descendant of King David, while Anna was the daughter of the priest Matthan, of the tribe of Levi—like the High Priest Aaron. Matthan had three daughters: Mary, Sovia, and Anna; Anna married Joachim in Nazareth and gave birth to the Most Holy Mother of God. Joachim and Anna lived in marriage for fifty years without having children. They lived a quiet, God-pleasing life, using only one-third of their income for themselves, giving one-third to the poor, and offering one-third as a sacrifice in the Temple. Once, the High Priest Issachar rebuked the elderly Joachim, saying: "You are not worthy to have an offering accepted from your hands, for you are childless." Thereupon, both of them turned to God in prayer, asking Him to grant them a child. Anna conceived immediately and, nine months later, gave birth to the Most Holy Virgin.

Commemoration of the Third Ecumenical Council. Saint Severian the Martyr. Saint Theophanes the Confessor and Faster. Saint Nicetas, Man of God. After-feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God.