San Giuseppe
Giuseppe, a protagonist of the Holy Family
Giuseppe is one of the main characters of the Holy Family. His role within this family unit was so important that he is venerated as a saint by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In the Christian tradition, Giuseppe is described as the foster father of Jesus. He is known for having accepted the miraculous pregnancy of Mary, even though he was not the biological father of Jesus.
Hagiography
According to the Gospels, Mary miraculously conceived Jesus through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, without having had sexual relations with her promised spouse, Giuseppe. Initially, Giuseppe intended to quietly divorce Mary, but an angel appeared to him in a dream and made him aware of the truth. Giuseppe agreed to marry Mary and to legally recognize Jesus as his own son. Therefore, Giuseppe is referred to as the foster father of Jesus, i.e. the one who was believed to be his father.
Profession
Giuseppe's profession is mentioned in many passages of the Gospel. He is called the Tekton, a Greek term that can be translated as carpenter or stonemason. Being a generic title, it is believed that Giuseppe was engaged in economic activities related to building, in which he exercised a profession with heavy and tough materials such as wood or stone.
Some scholars theorize that Giuseppe may have had entrepreneurial activity linked to construction, not belonging, therefore, to a poor family. This theory is also supported by the well-off economic condition of Mary, which some trace back to her father figure, Joachim, who was said to be a wealthy man.
Jesus and Giuseppe's Profession
According to the Hebrew customs of the time, children started religious instruction and learned their father's profession at the age of five. Therefore, it is likely that Jesus practiced carpentry as a young man. However, in the Gospels, it is Giuseppe who is enrolled in this profession. In particular, the first evangelist to use this title for Jesus was Mark, who calls him the Tekton during a visit to Nazareth, where the citizens wonder if he is not the son of the carpenter.
Conclusion
In summary, Giuseppe is one of the main characters of the Holy Family and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. He is described as the foster father of Jesus, and his profession as a Tekton is mentioned several times in the Gospels. Although there are different theories about the interpretation of this term, it is likely that Giuseppe was engaged in work related to building or heavy industry. The figure of Giuseppe is an example of humility and faith, and his life offers a model of virtue that still inspires believers around the world today.
