This 1st-2nd century story was extremely popular in the Christian East from the earliest centuries. Originally an folk story told orally and passed from one community to the next, 140 texts have been found in 8 different languages. The story was rejected in the West, though, so it was unknown until translated into Latin in 1522 and given the title “The Protevangelium of James.” (Protevangelium meaning proto-Gospel, the first and previous aspect of the Gospel.)
In my book Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her: The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts I provide a new translation of the story, with annotations on the facing page supplying scripture citations and further information. (This is the same book as The Lost Gospel of Mary; that is the hardcover edition, and we changed the title for the paperback.)
Here are the images I use when I give a talk on this charming early-Christian story.
![]( "Joachim and Anna pray for a child")
Joachim and Anna pray for a child. A Coptic (Egyptian) icon.
![]( "Anna prays in her garden and an angel answers")
Anna prays in her garden and an angel answers. This mosaic is one of a series (c. 1320) in the inner narthex of the Chora Church just outside Constantinople (Istanbul). A mosaic lets us see how the colors looked when the image was new, while painted icons can be difficult to clean.
![]( "Joachim and Anna meet at the city gate")
Joachim and Anna meet at the city gate. From an illustrated manuscript, c 1000.
![]( "Joachim and Anna meet at the city gate 2")
Joachim and Anna meet at the city gate, Filippino Lippi, (1457-1504).
![]( "The Conception of the Theotokos")
The Conception of the Theotokos. In the upper corners you can see Joachim in the wilderness and Anna in her garden, both praying for a child.
![]( "Birth of the Theotokos")
Birth of the Theotokos, from the 14th c Studenica Monastery in Serbia.
![]( "Birth of Mary, Joachim shyly peeking in.")
Birth of Mary, Joachim shyly peeking in.
![]( "The \"Kolakeia\" (adoration) of the Theotokos")
The "Kolakeia" (adoration) of the Theotokos. Another mosaic from the Chora Church, c 1320.
![]( "Anna and Joachim cherish Mary.")
Anna and Joachim cherish Mary.
![]( "Joachim and Anna play with Mary.")
Joachim and Anna play with Mary. Late 1600s, Ethiopia.
![]( "The Entrance of the Theotokos")
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. Macedonia, 8th c.
![]( "Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, High Priest Zacharias receives herr")
Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, High Priest Zacharias receives her. Russia, 1580
![]( "Mary, fetching water in a pitcher, hears and invisible angel")
Mary, fetching water in a pitcher, hears and invisible angel. A mosaic from the series of her life, Chora Church, c 1320.
![]( "Mary, fetching water with a pitcher, hears the voice of an invisible angel")
Mary, fetching water with a pitcher, hears the voice of an invisible angel. The earliest depiction of Mary. From the house church in Dura-Europos, which was destroyed in 254 AD, so early-mid 200's
![]( "The Annunciation; Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear a son.")
The Annunciation; the Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear a son. Macedonia,1350.
![]( "The Visitation; Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, whose son leaps for joy when he recognizes the Christ")
The Visitation; Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, whose son leaps for joy when he recognizes the Christ. Cyprus, 14th c.
![]( "James, Mary, and Joseph journey to Bethlehem")
James, Mary, and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. A mosaic from the Chora Church, c 1320.
![]( "The Nativity of Christ, Mary prays for Joseph")
The Nativity of Christ, Mary prays for Joseph when the evil one, disguised as an old shepherd, tries to undermine his belief that Mary has borne the Messiah. Novgorod, 1450
![]( "Mary nursing Jesus, Prophet Balaam points to a star")
Mary nursing Jesus, Prophet Balaam points to a star. Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, 250.
![]( "The Slaughter of the Innocents; Mary and John the Baptist hidden inside a mountain")
The Slaughter of the Innocents; Mary and John the Baptist hidden inside a mountain
![]( "Slaughter of the Innocents, by Leon Cogniet")
Slaughter of the Innocents, by Leon Cogniet, 1824
![]( "Slaughter of the Innocents, Elizabeth hides in the translucent mountain")
Slaughter of the Innocents, Elizabeth hides in the translucent mountain. Mosaic, Chora Church, 1320
![]( "Zacharias murdered in the Temple")
Zacharias murdered in the Temple, "murdered between the sanctuary and the altar" (Matthew 23:35).
![]( "Mary and Joseph, with James, fleeing into Egypt with Jesus")
Mary and Joseph, with James, fleeing into Egypt with Jesus
![]( "Mary nursing Jesus, with Joseph and James, are welcomed into Egypt.")
Mary nursing Jesus, with Joseph and James, are welcomed into Egypt. St. Catherine Monastery on Mt Sinai, 12th c.
Thank you so much for posting this! The icons are so wonderful to see in all their rich colors, creative depictions, and historical context.