Saint Anna, Mother of the Panagia (Theotokos) – Orthodox Wooden Mounted Icon

Q: Who is Saint Anna in the Orthodox Church?
A: Saint Anna (also written Agia Anna or Holy Righteous Anna) is one of the most beloved and venerated saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. She is the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos — the Virgin Mary, the Panagia — and therefore the grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ. She was the wife of Saint Joachim and the daughter of Matthan, a Levite priest. Gocstanna Together with Joachim, she bore a decades-long trial of childlessness with faith and prayer, until the Archangel Gabriel announced to both of them that they would conceive a daughter — Mary — who would become the Mother of God. Saint Anna is honored in the Orthodox Church with the sacred title Ancestor of God (Forebear of God), recognizing her unique place in the history of salvation.

Q: What are Saint Anna’s feast days in the Orthodox Church?
A: Saint Anna is commemorated three times in the Orthodox liturgical calendar, which reflects the depth of her veneration across the entire Church:

• September 9th — The feast of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, celebrated the day after the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8th).
• July 25th — The Dormition of Saint Anna, commemorating her peaceful repose in Jerusalem.
• December 9th — The Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by Saint Anna, one of the important minor feasts of the Church year. From ancient times this feast was especially venerated by pregnant women.

The primary name day for women named Anna is celebrated on July 25th in the Greek Orthodox tradition.

Q: Is this icon a good name day gift for someone named Anna?
A: Absolutely. This icon is one of the most personal and heartfelt name day gifts you can give to anyone named Anna, Anneta, Annika, Annalisa, or any name derived from Anna — whose name day is celebrated on July 25th in the Orthodox Church. It is also a deeply meaningful gift for baptisms, housewarmings, weddings, and for expectant or new mothers who have a special devotion to Agia Anna. Paired with one of our personalized christening invitations, it creates a beautiful and complete gift set.

Q: Why is Saint Anna especially venerated by mothers and expectant women?
A: Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children and for help in difficult childbirth. Her own story — of a woman who endured many years of childlessness, prayed with unwavering faith, and was miraculously blessed with a daughter who became the Mother of God — resonates deeply with women who hope and pray for children of their own. She is a powerful intercessor for expectant mothers, for those struggling with infertility, and for all who seek her protection during pregnancy and birth. She is also the patron saint of housewives, grandmothers, and women in labor.

Q: What does the title “Ancestor of God” or “Forebear of God” mean?
A: In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Anna and Joachim are ascribed the title Ancestors of God. This title — in Greek, Theopator or Progenitor of God — recognizes that as the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Anna and Joachim stand in the most intimate human relationship to the Incarnation of the Son of God. They are the grandparents of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This profound theological reality places them among the most honored saints of the entire Church, venerated not only by Greek Orthodox Christians but across all Eastern Christian traditions worldwide.

Q: Is Saint Anna venerated on Mount Athos?
A: Yes, very deeply. The oldest and most revered Skete on the Holy Mountain of Athos is dedicated to Saint Anna, where the monks affectionately call her “Yiayia” — Grandmother. Inside the main church of the Skete, part of the left foot of Saint Anna is preserved as a holy relic. Additional portions of her relics are kept at Stavronikita Monastery and Koutloumousiou Monastery on Athos, as well as in monasteries in Greece and Italy. Her veneration on the Holy Mountain speaks to the timeless and universal love the Orthodox Church holds for the grandmother of our Lord.

Q: Does it come with a magnet?
A: Yes. The back of the icon features a strong magnet, so you can display it easily on a refrigerator, metal cabinet, car dashboard, or any magnetic surface — no nails or hardware required. This makes it ideal for renters, travelers, or anyone who prefers a damage-free display option.

Q: How is this icon made?
A: Each icon is handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York by CMT Graphics. A high-quality sacred image of Saint Anna is applied to solid wood using the decoupage technique — a careful process of layering and sealing the image onto the wood for a durable, long-lasting finish. Every piece is hand-finished, so slight variations in color or surface texture are a natural and expected part of the handmade process. No two pieces are exactly identical.

Q: Is this a hand-painted icon?
A: No. This is a handmade wooden mounted icon created using the decoupage technique — not an original hand-painted or hagiographic icon. It is crafted with reverence for Orthodox iconographic tradition and is intended as a meaningful devotional piece for home use, gifting, or personal prayer. This icon offers an accessible, beautifully made, and affordable devotional option for the home.

Q: What size is this icon?
A: This icon measures 2.5″ × 3.5″ (approximately) — a compact, pocket-sized format that fits beautifully on a prayer corner shelf, nightstand, home office desk, or car dashboard. Its small size also makes it a practical and easy-to-ship gift.

Q: Where can I display a Saint Anna icon?
A: This icon is well-suited for a home prayer corner (iconostasi), bedroom nightstand, kitchen wall, office desk, or car dashboard. Many Orthodox Christian families place a Saint Anna icon in the kitchen — the heart of family life — as a blessing over the home and all who are nourished within it. Her icon is also a natural choice for a nursery or baby’s room, as a blessing of protection for newborns and young children.

Q: Is this a good gift for a baby shower or new mother?
A: Yes — a Saint Anna icon is one of the most spiritually fitting gifts for a baby shower, christening, or a new mother, particularly for Orthodox Christian families. As the grandmother of Christ and patron of expectant mothers, Saint Anna’s intercession and blessing over a new child and family is a deeply meaningful gesture. It is especially appropriate when gifted alongside one of our personalized christening invitations for a complete and heartfelt gift.

Q: Can I request a custom size for my favorite Saint, Lord, or Panagia for my home?
A: Yes. We can accommodate custom prepaid requests to fit your specific home prayer corner (iconostasis) or wall display. Please email us at shop@cmtgraphics.com to discuss your custom project.