**ANNA (Ananus; corresponding to the Hebrew Hănan[jah]).** Name of two Jewish high priests of the 1st century AD.
1) **A. (Ananus) I** is called "Annas" in the New Testament, "Ananus" by Flavius Josephus. Son of Seth, he was appointed high priest by the Roman governor Quirinius around 6 AD, and was replaced around 15 AD by Ishmael, son of Fabi, appointed by the procurator Valerius Gratus. Even after his deposition, he wielded great influence due to his wealth and saw five of his sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas, succeed him as high priest. He died at an advanced age. His tomb, at the time of the siege of Jerusalem, was located to the west of the city (cf. Flavius Josephus, *Antiquitates Judaicae*, XVIII, 2, 1-2; XX, 9, 1; *Bellum Judaicum*, V, 12, 2).
Rabbinic texts describe him as avaricious and deceitful. During the public life of Jesus, he was still highly regarded, not only for honor but also in fact, perhaps because he was considered to hold the office by right. Luke 3:2 lists him alongside Caiaphas; Luke 18:13 notes that Jesus, when arrested, was led "first to A." and suggests that the first interrogation may have been conducted by him (ibid., 18:19-24). He presided over the Sanhedrin together with Caiaphas (Acts 4:6). It is debated whether the high priest in Acts 7:1 and 9:1 is A. or Caiaphas.
2) **A. (Ananus) II**, Greek "Ananus" (Flavius Josephus), was the fifth son of the former. After the death of the proconsul Festus, before the arrival of the procurator Albinus (62 AD), "he convened the Sanhedrin of the Jews, and brought before it the brother of Jesus called the Christ, whose name was James, and some others, accusing them of transgressing the Law, and condemned them to be stoned" (*Antiquitates Judaicae*, XX, 9, 1). Accused before Albinus, who was on his way, and before Agrippa II, who had conferred the high priesthood upon him three months earlier, he was deposed by the latter. He was killed by the Idumeans during the Jewish War.
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Pietro De Ambroggi