Righteous · 1st century BC – 1st century AD
Joseph the Betrothed
Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed
New Calendar December 27 Old Calendar January 9
Why they are a saint
Joseph the Betrothed was the guardian of the Theotokos and of the child Jesus; commemorated as righteous and betrothed, not as a later husband in the Orthodox sense of ever-virginity. The years given for this life are 1st century BC – 1st century AD. The faithful remember him among the righteous of the Old and New Covenants.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of carpenters, families, guardians, because of his own story as a parent recorded in his life.
Prayer
O holy Joseph the Betrothed, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.