10 Facts About Joachim

Joachim was, according to Sacred tradition, the husband of Saint Anne, the father of Mary, and the maternal grandfather of Jesus.

Joachim was a rich and pious man, who regularly gave to the poor; however, Charles Souvay, writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia, says that the idea that Joachim possessed large herds and flocks is doubtful.

At the temple, Joachim's sacrifice was rejected, as the couple's childlessness was interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure.

Joachim consequently withdrew to the desert, where he fasted and did penance for 40 days.

Joachim later returned to Jerusalem and embraced Anne at the city gate, located in the Walls of Jerusalem.

Joachim is named as the patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, married couples, cabinet makers, and linen traders.

Joachim is often treated as a saint, with a halo, but in the Latin Church, there was some awareness that he had quite likely died too soon to be counted as a Christian.

Joachim and Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate was a popular subject in artistic renditions of the life of the Virgin.

Symbols associated with Saint Joachim include a book or scroll representing linen makers, a shepherd's staff for the Christian Word, and a basket of doves representing peace.

Joachim is almost always clothed in green, the color of hope.