Saint Mary Magdalene: The Apostle to the Apostles — Life, Miracles, and Prayers

Introduction: Who Was Saint Mary Magdalene?

Saint Mary Magdalene holds a unique and exalted place in the history of the Church — she is called "Equal to the Apostles" and "Apostle to the Apostles" because she was the first witness of the Resurrection of Christ and the first to proclaim it to the other disciples. She stood at the foot of the Cross when most of the male disciples had fled. She came to the tomb before dawn on the first day of the week, and it was to her that the Risen Lord first appeared and spoke. In the Orthodox Church, she is venerated not as a penitent sinner (a confusion introduced by Western medieval tradition) but as a faithful disciple, a courageous witness, and a tireless proclaimer of the Gospel.

Life in the Gospels

Healing and Discipleship

Mary was from Magdala, a prosperous fishing town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels tell us that she had been healed by Jesus of seven demons — a healing that transformed her life completely. From that moment, she became one of His most devoted followers, traveling with Him and the Twelve throughout Galilee and Judea, and supporting His ministry from her own resources (Luke 8:2-3).

The Orthodox tradition does not identify Mary Magdalene with the sinful woman who anointed Jesus's feet (Luke 7:36-50) or with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus. These are three distinct women in the Gospel accounts, and the Orthodox Church has always maintained this distinction. Mary Magdalene was a woman of means and social standing who chose to leave everything to follow Christ — a faithful disciple whose love for her Lord was total and unwavering.

At the Cross and the Tomb

When Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified, Mary Magdalene did not flee. She stood at the foot of the Cross alongside the Theotokos, Saint John the Theologian, and the other myrrh-bearing women, witnessing His death and burial. She noted carefully where He was laid, so that she could return to anoint His body.

On the morning of the first day of the week — what we now call Sunday — Mary came to the tomb before dawn, while it was still dark. She found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She ran to tell Peter and John, who came and saw the empty tomb and the burial cloths lying there. After they left, Mary remained at the tomb, weeping. It was then that the Risen Christ appeared to her — calling her by name: "Mary." She recognized Him and cried out "Rabboni!" — Teacher. He sent her to tell the disciples that He had risen. She is thus the first witness of the Resurrection and the first proclaimer of the Gospel of the Risen Christ.

Life After the Resurrection

After Pentecost, Mary Magdalene devoted herself to proclaiming the Gospel. Orthodox tradition holds that she traveled to Rome, where she gained access to the Emperor Tiberius and presented him with a red egg — the symbol of the Resurrection — saying "Christ is Risen!" This is the origin of the Orthodox tradition of exchanging red eggs at Pascha. She preached the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire and eventually settled in Ephesus, where she lived with the Theotokos and Saint John the Theologian until her repose. Her relics were later translated to Constantinople and are venerated in many churches and monasteries throughout the Orthodox world.

Miracles and Intercessions

Saint Mary Magdalene is invoked especially for:

• Women in all circumstances of life
• Those who have experienced healing and wish to give their lives to God in gratitude
• Those who feel unworthy to approach God
• Evangelists, missionaries, and all who proclaim the Gospel
• Those who mourn the loss of loved ones
• Those seeking the grace of recognizing the Risen Christ in their lives
• Those struggling with spiritual darkness or oppression

Feast Days

• July 22 (July 22, New Calendar): The primary feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene
• Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women: The second Sunday after Pascha, when she is commemorated together with the other myrrh-bearing women

Prayers to Saint Mary Magdalene

Troparion (Tone 1)

As the disciples' equal, O Mary Magdalene, intercede with the Master of all that He may grant peace to the world and to our souls great mercy.

Prayer for Faithfulness

O holy equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene, first witness of the Resurrection and apostle to the apostles: you who stood at the foot of the Cross when others fled, who came to the tomb before dawn out of love for your Lord, and to whom the Risen Christ first appeared and spoke — intercede for me before His throne. Grant me a share of your faithfulness, your courage, and your love. Help me to recognize the Risen Christ in my own life, to proclaim His Resurrection without shame, and to follow Him with the totality of heart that you showed from the moment of your healing to the moment of your repose. O holy Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us. Amen.

Iconographic Depiction

Saint Mary Magdalene is depicted in Orthodox iconography with features that reflect her identity as a myrrh-bearer and apostle:

• Red Egg: Often holding a red egg — the symbol of the Resurrection and the emblem of her preaching to the Emperor Tiberius
• Myrrh Vessel: Sometimes holding a vessel of myrrh, reflecting her role as a myrrh-bearing woman
• Red Maphorion: Often wearing a red outer garment, symbolizing both her apostolic mission and the blood of martyrdom
• The Empty Tomb: Sometimes depicted with the empty tomb in the background
• Joyful, Luminous Face: Her expression reflects the joy of the Resurrection and the love that drove her to the tomb before dawn

Honor Saint Mary Magdalene

Venerate the apostle to the apostles and first witness of the Resurrection with these handcrafted Orthodox gifts from our family workshop:

• Saint Mary Magdalene 8x10 Embroidered Orthodox Icon
• Saint Mary Magdalene Embroidered Pocket Icon / Patch (2.97×4.45")
• Saint Mary Magdalene Laminated Orthodox Prayer Card

Related Saints and Themes

• The Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women: The group of faithful women who came to the tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, commemorated together on the second Sunday after Pascha
• Saint Mary of Egypt: Another Mary whose story of transformation and devotion has inspired the Church for centuries
• Saint Nina the Enlightener: Fellow female apostle and equal-to-the-apostles who brought the Gospel to Georgia
• Saint Photini the Samaritan Woman: The woman at the well who became an apostle and martyr, venerated alongside Mary Magdalene
• The Holy Theotokos: The Mother of God, with whom Mary Magdalene lived in Ephesus in her final years

May Saint Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the apostles and first witness of the Resurrection, intercede for us all — that we may recognize the Risen Christ in our lives, proclaim His Resurrection without fear, and follow Him with the same total love that she showed. Holy equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us!