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Saint Mary Magdalene
Myrrhbearer and Equal to the Apostles
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Life and witness
The Gospels place Mary Magdalene among those who followed Christ and witnessed the Resurrection. John 20 records her encounter with the risen Lord and her announcement to the disciples. She should not automatically be identified with every unnamed woman in the Gospel narratives.
Historical setting
Luke 8:1–3 names Mary among women who supported Christ’s ministry and records her deliverance from seven demons. The Gospels place her at the Crucifixion, burial, and empty tomb. John 20 records her recognition of the risen Christ and her announcement to the disciples. The Gospel text does not identify her as the unnamed sinful woman in Luke 7.
Legacy and remembrance
Her title Equal to the Apostles honors her proclamation of the Resurrection; it does not make her one of the Twelve. Later stories about her travels and witness belong to tradition and should be distinguished from what the Gospels say. Her fixed feast is July 22, and she is also remembered with the myrrhbearers after Pascha.
More about the life
The church account follows Mary from the tomb to her announcement of the Resurrection, drawing on John 20. Her recognition comes when Jesus addresses her by name; her next responsibility is to carry His message to the disciples. Her witness is therefore both personal and communal, moving from grief to proclamation. The Gospel does not provide a continuous account of her later life. Stories of later journeys must remain identified as tradition rather than being used to supply missing dates or a certain itinerary.
Quotes
A sourced selection, not a popularity ranking. Quote wording stays in the cited language; context notes are editorial.
Scripture · King James Version
They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Canonical Scripture · John 20:2 (Mary Magdalene to the disciples)
Context and edition
Scriptural speech or canonical writing identified by the reference; not a separate collection of sayings authored by this saint.
King James Version (1611), historical English edition.
King James Version (1611); not a new website-authored English translation.
They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Readings
Selected reading
John 20:18 (Mary’s announcement; quoted words only)
I have seen the Lord.
Scripture: original Greek with LogosPharos translations into English, modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian. These are study renderings, not an approved liturgical Bible edition.
Editorial context
These are the words reported within the verse, not the entire verse. Mary announces her encounter with the risen Christ to the disciples.
View source text
Source text and edition
Ἑώρακα τὸν κύριον
New Testament Greek; speech reported by John, not a book authored by Mary Magdalene.
https://greekbible.com/john/20
Words recorded in the sources
Each quotation is reproduced from the cited source without changing its wording; its translation basis is stated in its source panel.
They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
John 20:2 (Mary Magdalene to the disciples)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
King James Version, the English translation cited here. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through this English text, not direct translations from the Greek.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=KJV
Translations and context are AI-assisted and editorially reviewed, not independently certified by a scholar. Compare the displayed source text; short selections are not complete works.
Writings and works
Checked against Eastern Orthodox sources. Written works, recorded teaching, and works about the saint are distinguished.
No securely attributed writing is listed in the sources reviewed for this profile. This is not proof that the saint never wrote; the Church account below is a work about the saint, not by the saint.
Church life and commemoration
Work about the saint
Attribution source: Eastern Orthodox Church account
External sources may be in another language. Modern editions and translations can be copyrighted; full books are not copied here.
Miracles and testimony
These summaries distinguish Scripture, hagiographical accounts and later testimony. A source establishes that an event was reported, not independent proof of its supernatural cause. Miracles are attributed to God, not autonomous powers of saints. Reports of healing are not medical advice or a promise of recovery.
Scriptural account
John 20:11–18
John describes Mary Magdalene meeting the risen Jesus and announcing the encounter to the disciples. She is a witness to Christ’s Resurrection, not its cause.
Read the sourceResearch and reading notes
These are original editorial biographies, not copied source translations. Scripture, historical writing, and hagiographical tradition are distinguished in the text. This page is a study introduction, not an exhaustive critical edition or a personal spiritual rule.
The saints listed here are commemorated by Eastern Orthodox churches. These summaries and translations are independent editorial work, not official Church publications or Church-approved translations.
Church sources
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/07/22/102070-myrrhbearer-and-equal-of-the-apostles-mary-magdalene