Saint Joseph the Betrothed was of the lineage of King David. He had four sons from his previous marriage: James, Judah and Simon (or Simeon), and three daughters: Esther, Martha, and Salome, who was the mother of Saint John the Theologian. After he became a widower, Saint Joseph led a life of strict temperance. He was chosen to be the husband and guardian of the Most Holy Theotokos, who had taken a vow of virginity.
An angel told him of the Incarnation of the Son of God through Mary, his betrothed. Saint Joseph was present when the shepherds and the Magi worshiped the newborn divine Infant. On the orders of the angel, he took the Child and Mother and fled into Egypt, saving them from the wrath of King Herod. He lived in Egypt with the Virgin Mary and the divine Child, working as a builder. Saint Joseph is said to have died at the age of one hundred.
Saint Joseph is commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity. If there is no Sunday between December 25 and January 1, then his commemoration is moved to December 26. The Righteous Joseph is also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.
Troparion, Tone 2
Proclaim the wonder, O Joseph, to David the ancestor of God: you saw a Virgin great with Child, you gave glory with the shepherds, you worshipped with the Magi, you received the news from the angel. / Pray to Christ God to save our souls!
Kontakion, Tone 3
Today godly David is filled with joy; Joseph and James offer praise. The glorious crown of their kinship with Christ fills them with great joy. They sing praises to the One ineffably born on earth, and they cry out: “O Compassionate One, save those who honor You!”
