St. Anne Orthodox Icon

St. Anne Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted image of the holy righteous Anne, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos and the grandmother of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. In Orthodox tradition Saint Anne is honored as a righteous wife, a patient mother, and a prayerful intercessor for families, children, and those longing for motherhood.

On this icon Saint Anne is shown with the child Mary in her arms. The composition is tender and deeply human, yet fully liturgical in spirit. It speaks of motherhood, faithful waiting, the blessing of children, and the hidden preparation of the mystery of the Incarnation.

The icon is painted by hand on a linden board with oak braces, linen pavoloka, chalk levkas, mineral egg tempera, and genuine 23K gold leaf (960 purity). The gold background, ornamental border, and soft face painting reflect the Mstyora tradition, where fine drawing and restrained warmth are joined with reverence for the Orthodox canon.

What the Icon of Saint Anne Shows

In the presented icon, holy righteous Anne is shown in a half-length composition, gently embracing her little daughter Mary. Saint Anne is clothed in a red-brown maphorion with a gold border, emphasizing her righteousness, dignity, and maternal vocation.

The child Mary is shown close to her mother, not as an ordinary genre scene, but as the future Theotokos, the one through whom the Savior will enter the world. The tenderness of the embrace is therefore not merely emotional. It points to the sacred role of family, obedience, and maternal faith in the history of salvation.

The icon is set on a gold background with a rich ornamental frame. The design includes tooled plant ornament and pearl-like detailing around the halo. The face painting has the softness and spiritual depth characteristic of the Mstyora school: warm ocher tones, delicate light, and a calm inward expression.

Life and Meaning of Holy Righteous Anne

Saint Anne was the wife of righteous Joachim. For many years the couple remained childless, which in the ancient world was experienced as a deep grief. Joachim and Anne prayed to God for a child and promised to dedicate the future child to the service of the Lord.

Their prayer was heard. In old age they were granted a daughter, the Most Holy Virgin Mary. Through her, according to the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ would be born. For this reason Saint Anne is especially honored in Orthodox tradition as the mother of the Theotokos and a holy ancestor of Christ.

The life of Saint Anne teaches patience, faithfulness, humility, and trust in God when human hope seems exhausted. Her icon is therefore especially close to those who pray through long waiting, family sorrow, infertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and the responsibilities of raising children.

Prayer and Veneration

The feast of the holy righteous Joachim and Anne is celebrated on September 22 according to the civil calendar, September 9 according to the old calendar. On this day Orthodox churches offer prayers for family well-being, children, their upbringing, and the strengthening of parents.

Before the icon of Saint Anne, the faithful often pray for the gift of children, safe pregnancy, safe childbirth, the health of infants, and wisdom in raising children. Mothers and grandmothers especially find in Saint Anne an image of patient love, prayer, and spiritual responsibility.

Many Orthodox families keep an icon of Saint Anne as a family holy image and pass it from generation to generation. It can become a blessing for mothers, grandmothers, women named Anne, newly married couples, and families who desire to build their home in faith.

For Whom This Icon Is Especially Appropriate

• For married couples praying for the gift of children, following the example of Saints Joachim and Anne.
• For expectant mothers praying for safe childbirth and the health of the child.
• For young mothers seeking an image of wise and faithful motherhood.
• For grandmothers, as an icon of loving and prayerful ancestry.
• For women named Anne, especially for baptism, name day, or feast day.
• For the birth of a child, as a blessing for the family.
• For children’s institutions, as an image of care, upbringing, and protection.

Hand-Painted Technique and Materials

Each icon of Saint Anne is created according to traditional Orthodox icon-painting technology. The wooden base is made from linden, a stable and long-used material in icon painting. Oak braces strengthen the board and help it remain durable over time.

The surface is prepared with linen pavoloka and natural multi-layer chalk levkas. This creates a strong and smooth ground for tempera painting. Mineral pigments on an egg-yolk emulsion give the icon a noble matte surface and lasting color.

Special attention is given to the faces of Saint Anne and the child Mary. The icon painter must convey maternal tenderness without sentimentality, and spiritual depth without harshness. The folds of the garments are also carefully worked so that the movement of the maternal embrace remains visible.

Genuine high-purity gold leaf is used for the background and halos. The ornament may be tooled by hand into the gilded surface, forming traditional plant patterns and a rich frame that emphasizes the holiness of the image without distracting from prayer.

Hand-Painted Icon and Printed Reproduction

A hand-painted icon of holy righteous Anne is a real work of church art, created with prayerful attention and individual work by the icon painter. The living texture of egg tempera, the hand-modeled faces, and the gilded ornament give the image a depth that a printed reproduction cannot provide.

This is not a printed reproduction; it is an icon painted on wood according to traditional materials and methods. Every feature, from the warmth of the faces to the gold ornament and garment folds, is handled by hand.

Sizes, Kiot, and Personalization

The icon can be made in several home sizes and, by agreement, in larger church or iconostasis formats. Available sizes for this product are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in).

Different degrees of gilding and ornamental detail may be discussed before painting. A kiot may also be considered, including classical or carved forms. For a gift, a dedication, names of children or grandchildren, or other commemorative details may be discussed before work begins.

The icon may also be painted in related iconographic variants, including Saint Anne with the child Mary or, by agreement, a composition connected with Saints Joachim and Anne. The final size, level of ornament, and presentation are chosen according to the purpose of the icon and the place where it will be kept.

Where to Place the Icon of Saint Anne

• In a home icon corner, as a family intercessor and patroness of motherhood.
• In the bedroom of spouses, with prayer for the gift of children or their well-being.
• In a child’s room, as a holy image connected with protection and upbringing.
• In a grandmother’s home, as an image of loving and wise ancestry.
• In a church, on the analogion for the feast day of Saint Anne or as a permanent shrine.
• In a children’s institution, as an image of care, education, and prayer for children.

Care for the Icon

To preserve an icon with rich gilded ornament, it should be kept away from direct sunlight, high humidity, heat sources, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed with a soft dry brush or cloth, without pressure on the gilded areas.

Water, alcohol, household cleaners, polish, and abrasive materials should not be used on the painted or gilded surface. If damage appears, the icon should be shown to a professional restorer rather than repaired at home.

Icon Characteristics

Name	St. Anne Orthodox Icon
Saint	Holy righteous Anne, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos
Composition	Saint Anne holding the child Mary
Board	Linden board with oak braces
Ground	Linen pavoloka and chalk levkas
Painting	Mineral egg tempera
Gilding	Genuine 23K gold leaf (960 purity) on background and halos
Ornament	Gold ornamental frame with possible hand tooling
Available sizes	17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in)
Prayer meaning	Motherhood, children, pregnancy, childbirth, family blessing, patience, and faith
Shipping	Free international shipping is included; payment is due upon delivery.

Questions and Answers

Who is Saint Anne?

Saint Anne is the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos and the grandmother of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. In Orthodox tradition she is honored as an example of faith, patience, humility, and maternal prayer.

What is shown on this icon?

Saint Anne is shown in a half-length composition tenderly embracing her young daughter Mary, the future Mother of God. The image emphasizes maternal love, wisdom, and the sacred continuity of salvation history.

For what needs do people pray before the icon of Saint Anne?

The faithful pray before Saint Anne for family life, marriage, the gift of children, help during pregnancy, safe childbirth, the health and upbringing of children, patience, and spiritual strength.

When is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne?

The memory of the holy righteous Joachim and Anne is celebrated on September 22 according to the civil calendar, September 9 according to the old calendar.

Who may especially choose this icon?

This icon is especially meaningful for married couples praying for children, expectant mothers, young mothers, grandmothers, women named Anne, godparents, and Orthodox families.

Is this icon suitable as a gift?

Yes. It is a fitting Orthodox gift for a wedding, church crowning, birth of a child, baptism, name day, family feast, or house blessing.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board strengthened with oak braces. Linen pavoloka and chalk levkas prepare the surface, mineral egg tempera is used for painting, and 23K gold leaf (960 purity) is used for the background and halos.

How is this hand-painted icon different from a print?

This is not a printed reproduction; it is a fully hand-painted Orthodox icon. The icon painter works the faces, garments, gold, and ornament by hand, giving the image depth and individual devotional character.

Where can the icon of Saint Anne be placed?

It may be placed in a home icon corner, a family prayer space, a bedroom of spouses praying for children, a child’s room, a grandmother’s home, or a church analogion on her feast day.

Is free international shipping included?

Yes. Free international shipping is included; payment is due upon delivery. The icon is painted to order and packed carefully to protect the gilding and painted surface.