This 1st-2nd century story was extremely popular in the Christian East from the earliest centuries. Originally an folk story told orally and passed from one community to the next, 140 texts have been found in 8 different languages. The story was rejected in the West, though, so it was unknown until translated into Latin in 1522 and given the title “The Protevangelium of James.” (Protevangelium meaning proto-Gospel, the first and previous aspect of the Gospel.)
In my book Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her: The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts I provide a new translation of the story, with annotations on the facing page supplying scripture citations and further information. (This is the same book as The Lost Gospel of Mary; that is the hardcover edition, and we changed the title for the paperback.)
Here are the images I use when I give a talk on this charming early-Christian story.
Thank you so much for posting this! The icons are so wonderful to see in all their rich colors, creative depictions, and historical context.