Anna was a prophetess who lived near the Jerusalem Temple. As a widow, she fasted and prayed day and night in the Temple, awaiting the Messiah.
She recognized Jesus when He was an infant and came into the Temple with His parents.
Luke 2:36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,Luke 2:37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.Luke 2:38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.