Mary Magdalene, Myrrh-bearer & Equal-to-the-Apostles
Categories: orthodox-life, hymns, feast-days
Date: 22 July 2006 05:51:26
Today is the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene, given the titles Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles. She is Myrrh-bearer because she was one of the women who were present at Christ's passion and who went to the tomb to anoint His body. She is Equal-to-the-Apostles and Apostle-to-the-Apostles because she was sent by the risen Christ to tell His disciples of His Resurrection.
The tradition of dyeing eggs red at Pascha (Easter) is said to come from the life of Mary Magdalene. According to tradition, during a dinner with the emperor Tiberius Caesar Mary Magdalene was speaking about Christ's Resurrection. Caesar scoffed at her, saying that a man could rise from the dead no more than the egg in her hand could turn red. Immediately, the egg turned red.
Troparion:
When Christ God had been born for our sakes from the Virgin, you faithfully did follow him, keeping His statutes and heeding His sacred laws, O august Mary Magdalene. Hence, as we today observe your holy remembrance, we receive the loosing of our sins and transgressions through your holy prayers for us.
Kontakion:
When God, the Mighty, the Transcendent in essence, came in the flesh into the world, He received you, O Mary, as His true disciple as was meet. For you had your whole desire and your love set upon Him; wherefore, you did bring to pass many cures for the ailing; and now translated to the Heavens' heights, you ever fervently pray for all the world.