Flight
into Egypt
"The Life of Joseph the Righteous"
Flight into Egypt
This Icon is at Holy Virgin Mary Church
Joseph, whose name literally means “one who increases” was a righteous man from the tribe of Judah in David’s lineage and an inhabitant of Nazareth. A carpenter by trade and well-advanced in years, he was betrothed by God’s will to the Virgin. He was chosen by lot when the priests sought a guardian for the Virgin when she was in the temple.
God chose him to minister unto His Great Mystery of Dispensation by protecting the Virgin, providing for her, and acting as her husband so that she, being a virgin, might not suffer reproach when she was found with child. He was married and widowed before his betrothal to our Lady. From his first marriage, he had children, mentioned in the Gospels (Mt. 13:55-56). From Scripture it is made known that he lived at least until the twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Lk. 2:41-52). However, according to tradition, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ since there was no mention of him in Scripture and he was not present with the Virgin at the Crucifixion.
A hymn on his behalf urges: “Proclaim, O Joseph, the amazing wonders for you have seen a Virgin great with Child; for with the shepherds, you gave glory, with the Magi you worshiped, and by the angel it was revealed to you. Wherefore, plead with Christ God to have mercy on our souls.”
In this icon, he is portrayed as a protector of the Mother and Child, in adherence to God’s command to flee to Egypt.