☦️August 4 - Day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, the Myrrh-Bearer

 ☦️August 4 - Day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, the Myrrh-Bearer

Mary Magdalene is a follower of the Savior who was present at his crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene was a woman from the city of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, who is recognized by many sects of Christianity as one of the first followers of Jesus Christ and the first person to whom he appeared after his resurrection.
It is widely believed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of easy virtue, and she is often depicted as the "penitent Magdalene", repenting of her sins. Scholars suggest that she is the same person as Mary of Bethany.
After being healed from demonic possession, Saint Mary Magdalene followed Christ along with other women healed by the Lord, showing touching concern for Him.
She did not leave the Lord after He was taken by the Jews, when the faith of the closest disciples began to waver in Him.
The fear that prompted the Apostle Peter to deny was overcome by love in the soul of Mary Magdalene. She stood at the Cross together with the Most Holy Theotokos and the Apostle John, experiencing the suffering of the Divine Teacher and sharing in the great grief of the Mother of God. Saint Mary Magdalene accompanied the Most Pure Body of the Lord Jesus Christ during His transfer to the tomb in the garden of righteous Joseph of Arimathea, and was present at His burial (Matt. 27:61; Mark 15:47). Having served the Lord during His earthly life, she wished to serve Him after death as well, rendering the last honors to His Body, anointing it, according to the custom of the Jews, with myrrh and spices (Luke 23:56).
The Risen Christ sent Saint Mary with the news from Him to the disciples, and the blessed woman, rejoicing, announced to the apostles what she had seen: “Christ is risen!” As the first evangelist of Christ's resurrection, Saint Mary Magdalene is recognized by the Church as equal to the apostles.
According to tradition, she evangelized not only in Jerusalem. Saint Mary Magdalene went to Rome and saw Emperor Tiberius (14-37). The emperor, known for his cruelty, listened to Saint Mary, who told him about the life, miracles and teachings of Christ, about His unjust condemnation by the Jews, about Pilate's cowardice. Then she presented him with a red egg with the words "Christ is risen!" The Easter custom of giving each other red eggs is associated with this act of Saint Mary Magdalene (the egg, a symbol of the mysterious life, expresses faith in the coming general Resurrection).
Then Saint Mary went to Ephesus (Asia Minor). Here she helped the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian in his preaching. Here, according to Church tradition, she died and was buried.
In the 9th century, under 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 rested in the Church of Saint John Lateran.
Pope Honorius III (1216-1227) consecrated this church in the name of Saint Mary Magdalene. Part of her relics are in France, in Provage near Marseille, where a church dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene was also erected. Parts of the holy relics of Saint Mary Magdalene are kept in various monasteries of Mount Athos and in Jerusalem. Numerous pilgrims of the Russian Church visiting these holy places reverently venerate her holy relics.
The saint is prayed to for deliverance from illnesses, for intercession, enlightenment and strengthening of faith, for consolation. People also believe that prayers to Mary Magdalene can protect against "dark forces" such as the evil eye and curses.
Troparion
You followed Christ, born of the Virgin for our sake, honorable Magdalene Mary, keeping His justifications and laws.
Therefore, today we celebrate your all-holy memory, accepting the resolution of sins through your prayers.

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