Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos

In this icon Sts. Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Mother of God, are seen embracing as a portrayal of the celebration of the conception of the Theotokos.

Today the bonds of barrenness are broken, / God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. / He has promised them beyond all their hopes to bear the Maiden of God, / by whom the uncircumscribed One was born as mortal Man; / He commanded an angel to cry to her: / “Rejoice, O full of grace, / the Lord is with you!”