Righteous Anna the Prophetess, Daughter of Phanuel — August 28 / September 10 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 28 according to the Julian Calendar (September 10 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Righteous Anna the Prophetess, Daughter of Phanuel.

Righteous Anna the Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, was of the tribe of Asher. She lived with her husband only seven years, and then, widowed, led a strict and pious life, and “departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37). When Anna was eighty-four years old, she was counted worthy to behold the infant Jesus, whom Joseph and the Virgin Mary brought to the Temple “after the custom of the Law.” Righteous Anna heard the prophetic words with which the elder Simeon addressed the Mother of God; together with Simeon she too recognized the incarnate Saviour, and proclaimed His incarnation to those in Jerusalem who lived in expectation of redemption.