Mary Magdalene

Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, the Myrrh-Bearer.

St. Mary Magdalene, the Myrrh-Bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles, was healed by the Lord of seven demons and thereafter followed Him from Galilee, ministering to Him from her own means. She stood by the Cross when most had fled, and coming early to the tomb she was among the first to behold the risen Christ, who sent her to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.

For this she is honored as an apostle to the apostles. According to tradition she later preached the Gospel and reposed in Ephesus, and her relics were brought in time to Constantinople. The Church commemorates her on July 22 and with the Myrrh-Bearers after Pascha.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Mary Magdalene is commemorated on July 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 4 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Maria, Mary, Magdalini, Magdalene

Also commemorated on July 22

• 

  Phokas of Sinope

  Hierarch, Φωκάς

  Holy Hieromartyr Phocas of Sinope.

  Name days: Fokas, Phokas

• Markella of Chios

  Martyr, Μαρκέλλα

  Holy Virgin-Martyr Markella of Chios.

  Name days: Markella, Markela

• Menelaos the Venerable

  Venerable, Μενέλαος

  Venerable Menelaos, abbot in Gaul.

  Name days: Menelaos, Menelaus

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.