LIVES OF THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS

Equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene

Saint Equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene, one of the Myrrhbearers, was the first to see the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. She was born in a place called Magdala in Galilee. The people of Galilee were known for their straightforwardness, fervent nature, and selflessness.

These qualities were also evident in Saint Mary Magdalene. From her youth, she suffered from a severe illness—demon possession (Luke 8:2). Before the coming of Christ, there were many people afflicted with this condition, as the enemy of humanity, foreseeing his impending humiliation, attacked people with great force. Through Mary Magdalene’s affliction, the glory of God was revealed, and she herself gained the great virtue of complete trust in God's will and unwavering devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Lord cast out seven demons from her, she left everything and followed Him.

Saint Mary Magdalene followed Christ along with other women whom He had healed, showing tender care for Him. She did not abandon the Lord during His arrest by the Jews when the faith of His closest disciples began to waver. The fear that led to the denial of the apostle Peter was overcome in the soul of Mary Magdalene by love. She stood by the Cross along with the Most Holy Theotokos and the apostle John, sharing the suffering of the Divine Teacher and joining in the great sorrow of the Mother of God. Saint Mary Magdalene accompanied the pure Body of the Lord Jesus Christ when it was transferred to the tomb in the garden of the righteous Joseph of Arimathea and was present at His burial (Matt. 27:61; Mark 15:47). Serving the Lord during His earthly life, she desired to continue serving Him after His death, offering the final honors to His Body by anointing it with myrrh and spices (Luke 23:56). The Risen Christ sent Saint Mary with a message to His disciples, and the blessed woman, rejoicing, proclaimed to the apostles about what she had seen—"Christ is risen!" As the first to announce Christ's resurrection, Saint Mary Magdalene is recognized by the Church as equal-to-the-apostles. In this proclamation, the main event of her life occurred, marking the beginning of her apostolic ministry.

According to tradition, she preached not only in Jerusalem. Saint Mary Magdalene went to Rome and met Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). Known for his cruelty, the emperor listened to Saint Mary, who told him about the life, miracles, and teachings of Christ, about His unjust condemnation by the Jews, and about Pilate’s cowardice. Then she presented him with a red egg with the words "Christ is risen!" This act by Saint Mary Magdalene is linked to the Paschal tradition of giving red eggs (the egg, symbolizing mysterious life, expresses faith in the future common Resurrection).

Afterward, Saint Mary went to Ephesus (Asia Minor). There, she assisted the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian in his preaching. It is believed that she passed away and was buried there. In the 9th century, during the reign of Emperor Leo VI the Philosopher (886-912), the incorrupt relics of Saint Mary Magdalene were transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople. It is believed that during the Crusades, they were taken to Rome, where they remained in the church dedicated to Saint John Lateran. Pope Honorius III (1216-1227) consecrated this church in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene. Part of her relics is kept in France, in Provence near Marseille, where a church dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene was also built. Relics of the equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene are kept in various monasteries on Mount Athos and in Jerusalem. Many pilgrims from the Russian Church visit these holy places and reverently venerate her sacred relics.

Righteous Mary Cleopas, wife of Clopas, Myrrhbearer

Wife of Clopas, the younger brother of Joseph the Betrothed. She, along with other pious women, accompanied the Lord during His public ministry, was present at the Cross during His suffering, and at His burial. After the Sabbath, she and other Myrrhbearers went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, and there, for the first time, she, along with others, heard the joyful message from the Angel about the resurrection of the Lord (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40; Luke 24:4-11; John 19:25).

Saint Salome, Myrrhbearer

Daughter of the righteous Joseph the Betrothed, wife of Zebedee, and mother of the saints James the Greater and John the Theologian. She was one of the holy women who served Jesus Christ. She is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.

When Jesus Christ was teaching His disciples about His upcoming sufferings, death, and resurrection as He was on His way to Jerusalem, Salome approached Him with her two sons and asked Him to grant them a special favor. Christ asked what they desired. Salome requested that one of her sons sit on His right hand and the other on His left in His Kingdom. The other apostles became indignant, but Christ explained to them the true meaning of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is entirely different from the kingdoms of this world (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45).

Salome was present at the crucifixion and burial of the Lord and was one of the Myrrhbearers who came early in the morning to anoint the body of Christ.

Righteous Joanna, Myrrhbearer

She is mentioned in the Gospels (Luke 8:3; 24:10). Saint Joanna, the wife of Chuza, steward of King Herod, was one of the women who followed the Lord Jesus Christ during His preaching and served Him. Along with other women, she came to the tomb after the crucifixion of the Savior to anoint His holy body, and she heard the joyful news from the Angels about His glorious resurrection.

Righteous Martha and Mary

Sisters of the righteous Lazarus of the Four Days. They lived in the village of Bethany. [Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away] (John 11:18). All three loved Jesus very much and often invited Him into their home. The Gospel says that [when He was on His way], [He came to the house of a woman named Martha; she had a sister called Mary, who sat at His feet and listened to His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she went to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me."] (Luke 10:38-42).

When Lazarus fell ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus: [“Lord, the one whom You love is ill”] (John 11:3, 5). After Lazarus’s death, Jesus came to Bethany. [Martha, hearing that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary stayed at home. Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”] (John 11:20-27).

After this, Martha went to Mary and said secretly, [“The Teacher has come and is calling for you”] (John 11:28). Mary immediately went to Jesus, and when she saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Then Jesus, seeing her weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, groaned in the spirit and was troubled and asked, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:28-36).

After this, Jesus ordered that the stone be taken away from the tomb where Lazarus was buried, and He called Lazarus to come out. Lazarus was resurrected, and many of the Jews who had come to comfort the sisters believed in Jesus because of this miracle. This event, and the faith of the sisters in the power of Christ, are remembered by the Church as a great witness to the power of the Lord over death.

The feast of Saint Martha and Mary, as well as the feast of their brother Lazarus, is celebrated on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.