Saint Mary Magdalene
Myrrh-bearer
July 22
Spiritual Significance
Saint Mary Magdalene was one of the most devoted followers of Jesus Christ and is honoured in the Orthodox Church as Equal to the Apostles.
She was from the town of Magdala, near the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel of Saint Luke tells us that Christ healed her and cast out seven demons from her (Luke 8:2). From that moment she faithfully followed Him and served Him together with the other women disciples.
Mary Magdalene remained faithful to Christ even during His suffering. She stood near the Cross when many others had fled and was among the women who came early to the tomb on the morning of the Resurrection.
She became the first witness of the Resurrection of Christ. The risen Lord appeared to her and sent her to tell the Apostles the joyful news that He had risen from the dead.
Because she was the first to proclaim the Resurrection, the Orthodox Church honours Saint Mary Magdalene as Equal to the Apostles, remembering her courage, faith, and love for Christ.
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Iconography
In icons, Saint Mary Magdalene is usually shown holding a red egg or a small jar of myrrh (perfumed oil).
The jar reminds us that she was one of the Myrrh-bearing women who went to the tomb of Christ to anoint His body.
The red egg symbolises the Resurrection of Christ and the new life that comes through Him.
She is often shown wearing a red cloak, representing her love for Christ and her bold proclamation of the Resurrection.
Her calm and faithful expression reflects her role as the first witness of the empty tomb and the joyful message of Christ’s victory over death.
Did You Know?
According to Orthodox tradition, Saint Mary Magdalene travelled to Rome and proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ to the Emperor Tiberius.
She greeted him with the words:
“Christ is Risen!”
It is said that the egg she carried miraculously turned red, which is why red eggs are used to celebrate Pascha (Easter) in the Orthodox Church.