Myrrhbearer

Saint Mary Magdalene

Faithful disciple of Christ and first herald of the Resurrection to the Apostles.

Life and Witness

Saint Mary Magdalene came from Magdala in Galilee. The Holy Gospels name her among the women who followed the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him from their possessions after He had delivered her from seven demons. Orthodox tradition does not identify her with the unnamed sinful woman of the Gospel or with Mary of Bethany.

She remained faithful during the Lord’s saving Passion, stood near the Cross and observed His burial. Early on the first day of the week she came to the tomb with the myrrh-bearing women. The risen Christ appeared to her, and she announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord.

The Church honors Saint Mary Magdalene as Equal-to-the-Apostles and Myrrh-bearer. Ecclesiastical tradition records that she continued proclaiming the Resurrection and later went to Ephesus, where she assisted Saint John the Theologian. Her holy relics were subsequently transferred to Constantinople.

Feast Day

July 22 — Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene.