The Parents of Mary

They married brothers, so that we find Jacob and Heli from two different races. As for Heli, having taken a wife, he died childless, and his brother Jacob took his wife, so that according to the law he might have children for the brotherget Joseph from her. Thus Joseph was a son of Jacob by nature, but of Heli by law. It is worthy also for the history, which a certain Jacob will continue regarding the holy Mary, to come forward. For it is said that among the tribes of Israel a man named Joachim had become rich, who at the feast offered double the usual gifts to God, saying: 'The property of all the people, and the remission for propitiation, are to me, Lord God.'

Standing at the greatest feast of the Lord, while all were offering gifts to God according to custom, he himself was moved to offer first. And a certain Reuben forbade him to approach first, saying that it was not permitted for him, because he had become childless in Israel. And being saddened by this, he went into the wilderness, and there, having pitched a tent, he implored God to grant him also, just as to Abraham a child of legitimate birth; for he knew himself to be in Israel. Even until the days of fasting forty days he implored God. Similarly also his wife, having put on humble clothing, desired to find favor with God.

When the greatest day of God arrived, she puts on a bright garment; for it was not proper to wear mourning clothing on this feast. Concerning the ninth hour of the day, having sat under a tree in its paradise, she implored God, saying: 'God of our fathers, bless me, and hear my prayer, just as you blessed the womb of Sarah, and gave her a son, Isaac.' And saying these things, she looked toward the tree, and having seen a sparrow feeding its young ones, bitterly sighing and crying out, she said: 'O Lord, that I am not even like these winged ones, to whom fertility belongs!' And after she cried these things to God, an angel of the Lord appearing to her announces to her a child-bearing. And she, having heard, immediately promised to dedicate the one born to God. Such things also the angel signaled to Joachim on the mountain.

And having descended from the mountain, Joachim offered ten lambs as a sacrifice to the Lord, and twelve calves to the priests, and one hundred he-goats to the elders and to all the people. And having completed these sacrifices in the temple of God, he arrived at his house; and having known his wife, he made a daughter from her, and named her Mary, who, having been dedicated to the temple of God for three years.

When she had become twelve years old, the priests made a consultation concerning whom they should join her in marriage. And they permitted the high priest Zechariah, having entered into the Holy of Holies, to ask God to reveal to him whom it was proper for her to be joined to. And while Zechariah was praying, an angel appeared, signifying that he should gather all the ministers of the people together and have each one hold a rod; and to whomever God should show a sign, to him should he join the virgin. And Zechariah, having come out, did thus, just as the angel had commanded him. And having taken the rods of all, he went into the temple and prayed, and having come out, he handed the individual rod to each one. But when he was last handing the rod to Joseph, a great sign occurred. For immediately as he was receiving the rod from the priest, a dove flew out from the rod and sat upon the head of Joseph; and the high priest and all the attending priests, marveling at the event, judged him to be the bridegroom of the maiden, whom Joseph had been guarding and, having left her in his house, arrived at the buildings after completing the construction; for he was a builder by trade.

At that same time, it seemed good to the priests that a veil be made for the temple by pure virgins, and seven virgins were found in the tribe of Judah. And Zechariah, remembering Mary, commanded that she also should be present for the casting of lots; and having brought them into the house of God, he commanded them to cast lots for which material to take: gold, or unmixed linen, or fine linen, or silk, or true purple, or hyacinth, or scarlet; and Mary was chosen to work with the purple and the scarlet. And indeed, while she was working at the house, an angel appeared and announces the miraculous birth to her, just as the Gospels recount. And once having completed the task assigned to her, she gives it to the high priest, and having been blessed by him, she departs.