Saint
Joseph the Betrothed
Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed
New Calendar December 29 Old Calendar January 11
Why they are a saint
Saint Joseph the Betrothed was of the lineage of King David. He had four sons from his previous marriage: James, Judah, Joses, and Simon (or Symeon), and three daughters: Esther, Martha, and Salome, who was the mother of Saint John the Theologian. Venerated as righteous, one who pleased God by a holy life in the world.
Life
Saint Joseph the Betrothed was of the lineage of King David. He had sons and daughters from an earlier marriage, and after being widowed he lived in strict temperance. He was chosen to be the husband and guardian of the Most Holy Theotokos, who had vowed virginity, and an angel told him of the Incarnation of the Son of God through her.
He was present when the shepherds and the Magi worshipped the newborn Christ. At an angel's command he fled into Egypt with the Mother of God and the Child, saving them from Herod, and he worked there as a carpenter. He is said to have died at the age of one hundred. He is commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity and on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Joseph the Betrothed as a patron when they bear the name Joseph at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 29.
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.