According to Christian tradition, Saint Joachim is the father of the Virgin Mary and the grandfather of Jesus. His story comes mainly from apocryphal writings. Married to Saint Anne, he is said to have suffered from childlessness for a long time before God answered his prayers. An angel then announced to him the birth of Mary, destined to become the mother of the Messiah. Joachim is described as a just and pious man, generous towards the poor. His cult developed in the Middle Ages, particularly in Lorraine and in the East of France. He is venerated as the patron saint of grandparents and families.
