LUX VERITAS

Apocrypha · Chapter 7 of 25

Protoevangelium of James 7

Infancy of Mary

Meanwhile, the months passed for the girl. And, when she was two years old, Joachim said to Anna: 'Let us take her to the temple of the Lord to fulfill the promise we made.' Anna replied: 'Let us wait, however, until she is three, so that the girl will not miss us.' And Joachim answered: 'We will wait.'

2When she was three years old, Joachim said: 'Call the Hebrew maidens who are without blemish, and let them each take a lit candle, so that the girl may not look back and her heart may not be captivated by anything outside the temple of God.' And so they did while going up to the temple of the Lord.

3And there the priest received her, who, after having kissed her, blessed her and exclaimed: 'The Lord has magnified your name among all generations, for at the end of times he will manifest in you his redemption to the children of Israel.' Then he made her sit on the third step of the altar. The Lord poured graces upon the girl, who danced, captivating the whole house of Israel.

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About Protoevangelium of James

The childhood of Mary, the choosing of Joseph and the birth in a cave. It is the source of nearly all later Marian devotion — including the names Anne and Joachim.