St Anna Mother of the Theotokos

St. Anna Mother of the Theotokos Feast Day and Greek Name Day

St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos is honored in the Orthodox Christian Church as the mother of the Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus Christ. Her feast day is celebrated on July 25, and on this day people named Anna, Ana, Ann, Anne, Annie, Annette, Aneta, Anita, and Anitsa, among other variations, celebrate their Greek name day.

Who Was St. Anna

St. Anna was the wife of St. Joachim and the mother of the Virgin Mary, who is honored in the Church as the Theotokos, meaning “God-bearer.”

According to Christian tradition, Anna and Joachim were a devout Jewish couple who lived in Jerusalem but struggled for many years without having children.

Birth of the Virgin Mary

After years of prayer and faith, the couple received the blessing of a child. The birth of their daughter Mary was seen as a miraculous gift.

Their daughter would later become the Mother of Jesus Christ, making St. Anna an important figure in the story of salvation.

Honored in Christian Tradition

Because of her role as the mother of the Theotokos, St. Anna is honored throughout the Christian world. Churches and monasteries dedicated to her can be found throughout Greece and the Orthodox Christian world.

She is remembered as a model of faith, patience, and devotion to God.

Greek Name Day for Anna

Because St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos is commemorated on July 25, this date is also the Greek name day for:

Anna

Ana

Ann

Anne

Annie

Annette

Aneta

Anita

Anitsa

In Greek culture, celebrating a name day is often just as important as celebrating a birthday. Friends and family commonly offer well wishes or visits to honor the person whose name is being celebrated.

When St. Anna Is Celebrated

The feast day of St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos is observed each year on July 25 in the Greek Orthodox Church. She is remembered for her faith and for her role in the family that would give birth to the Virgin Mary and ultimately to Jesus Christ.