The story is similar to the story of Samuel whose mother had also been childless and was named Hannah[?]. The story was not accepted in the Western church until the 13th century although in the Eastern church dedications to Saint Anne date to the sixth century.
In the fourth and fifteenth centuries, a belief arose that Mary was born of Anna by virgin birth. This was denied as an error by the Vatican in 1677.
External Link: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01538a.htm
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