Fewer people know that the Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, the one who cared for the infant Jesus and protected the Virgin Mary, is commemorated not once but twice during the year by the Orthodox Church.
The first commemoration takes place on the Sunday of the Forefathers according to the flesh of the Lord, starting with Adam and continuing through the generations, as recorded by the Evangelist Matthew.
Tradition holds that the Holy and Righteous Joseph was a descendant of King David and was chosen as the betrothed of the Virgin Mary because he was the only one among the widowers of Israel worthy of this engagement, following a miracle similar to the blossoming of Aaron’s rod in the Old Testament.
Adorning yourself with a spotless life, most-glorious Joseph, you were the true guardian of the spotless Virgin, and you were called the Father of the Child who was born, being glorified through the honored name.
He who created heaven, earth, and sea is called the son of the carpenter—that is, your son, blessed and praiseworthy one; the unoriginate Father truly magnified you as a sacred worker of things beyond comprehension.
— Ode 7 from the Canon of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, chanted at Matins on the Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord
The second celebration of Saint Joseph the Betrothed takes place on the Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord, when he is commemorated in the Orthodox calendar, along with the Prophet King David and Saint James the Apostle, the Brother of the Lord.
You stood, serving like an angel, O wise Joseph, before God who became a Child in the flesh, and you were clearly illumined directly, receiving from Him the immaterial rays. You were shown to be resplendent in soul and heart, O blessed one.
Being entirely sanctified in soul and body through the touch of Divinity, most-praised one, you have passed on to the immaterial dwelling places, now sanctifying those who truly and honourably keep your memorial, O righteous and most-holy Joseph, betrothed of the Most Holy Mother of God.
— Ode 6 from the Canon of the Betrothed, chanted at Matins on the Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord
In many icons of the Nativity of the Lord, Saint Joseph is shown being tempted by the devil to break the betrothal. The evil one is depicted as an old man with black, wrapped wings.
But Joseph proved righteous by the attitude he had toward the Virgin Mary’s pregnancy: he did not wish to expose her, which, according to the Law of Moses, could have led to her being sentenced to death.
Troparion of Saint Joseph, Tone 2
O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God: you have seen a Virgin great with child; you gave glory with the shepherds; you worshipped with the Magi; you received an answer from the Angel. Beseech Christ God to save our souls.
Other saints in the Orthodox calendar who bear the name Joseph include:
- Saint Joseph the New of Partoș, Metropolitan of Banat (September 15)
- Saint Joseph the Merciful, Metropolitan of Moldavia (January 26)
- Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4)
- Saint Joseph the Confessor of Maramureș (April 24)
- Saint Joseph of Arimathea (July 31)
- Saint Joseph of Văratec (August 16)
- Saint Joseph the Hesychast (August 16)
