Cloud of Witnesses
Righteous1st century

Myrrh-bearing Women

1st century

Also known as The Myrrh-bearers

The women who came to anoint Christ and first learned of His rising.

Feast Day
3rd Sunday of Pascha
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Commemorated as

The Holy Myrrh-bearing Women

Life

The Holy Myrrh-bearing Women are the women who followed Christ, were present at His burial, and came to His tomb early in the morning bearing myrrh to anoint His body, only to find the tomb empty and to be the first to learn of His Resurrection.

They are commemorated collectively on the Third Sunday of Pascha, the second Sunday after the feast of the Resurrection. The day honors their devotion at the Cross and the tomb, and in Orthodox usage it is regarded as a feast for all Orthodox women.

Numbered with the Myrrh-bearers in tradition are also Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who took the Lord's body down from the Cross and prepared it for burial.

Timeline3 momentsReadHide
  1. 1st centuryFollowing ChristThe women followed the Lord during His earthly ministry, together with His Mother, and remained near Him through His Passion.
  2. 1st centuryThe BurialJoseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus asked for and received the Lord's body from Pilate, took it down from the Cross, wrapped it in linen cloths and spices, laid it in a new tomb, and placed a great stone over the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses sat opposite the sepulchre and saw where He had been laid.
  3. 1st centuryThe Empty TombAfter the Sabbath the women returned to the tomb early in the morning bearing myrrh to anoint the body. They found the tomb empty and received the revelation of the Resurrection, becoming the first witnesses of the risen Christ.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

The Women Honored

Tradition names several women among the Myrrh-bearers. The Orthodox Church specifically honors Mary Magdalene (commemorated July 22), Mary the wife of Cleopas (May 23), Joanna the wife of Chuza, steward of Herod Antipas (June 27), Salome the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John (August 3), and Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus (June 4). The Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of God, is also numbered among them.

Other traditional listings include Mary the mother of James and Joses and Susanna. The sources note that many other women were present beyond those specifically named.

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple and member of the Sanhedrin described as a secret disciple, and Nicodemus, a Pharisee described as a disciple by night, are also commemorated with the Myrrh-bearers for their part in the burial of Christ.

The Feast

The Third Sunday of Pascha, the second Sunday after Easter, is called the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its scripture readings emphasize the women's role in the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

The week that follows is designated the Week of the Myrrhbearers.

Companions & Contemporaries3 figuresShowHide
Foremost of the Myrrh-bearing Women, present in all four Gospel accounts of the empty tomb.
Mary Magdalene
Numbered with the Myrrh-bearers; received the Lord's body and provided the tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea
Numbered with the Myrrh-bearers; helped prepare the Lord's body for burial.
Nicodemus
Related SaintsShowHide

Browse other saints who share her calling and place.

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Notes

Honored as a feast for all Orthodox women.

Sources: Synaxarion