Day of Remembrance of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women (08/05)





Myrrh-bearers — are the same women who, out of love for the Savior Jesus Christ, received Him in their homes, and later followed Him to the place of crucifixion on Calvary. They witnessed the suffering of Christ on the cross. It was they who then hurried to the Holy Sepulcher to anoint the body of Christ with peace, as was customary among the Jews. It was they, the myrrh-bearing women, who were the first to know that Christ had risen. For the first time since his death on the cross, the Savior appeared to the woman — Mary Magdalene.

This holiday has been especially revered in Rus' since ancient times. Well-born ladies, rich merchants, poor peasant women led a strictly pious life and lived in faith. The main feature of Russian righteousness — is special, purely Russian, the chastity of Christian marriage as a great Sacrament. The only wife of her only husband — is the life ideal of Orthodox Rus.

Another feature of ancient Russian righteousness is — special «chin» widowhood. Russian princesses did not marry a second time, although the Church did not prohibit a second marriage. Many widows had their hair cut and went to the monastery after the burial of their husband. The Russian wife was always faithful, quiet, merciful, meekly patient, all-forgiving.

The Holy Church honors many Christian wives as saints. We see their images on the icons — of the holy martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, the holy Venerable Mary of Egypt and many, many other holy martyrs and saints, righteous and blessed, equal to the apostles and confessors.

Every woman on Earth is a myrrh-bearer in life — brings peace to the world, her family, home, she gives birth to children, and is a support for her husband. Orthodoxy exalts the mother woman, a woman of all classes and nationalities.

Week (Sunday) of the Myrrh-Bearing Women — is the holiday of every Orthodox Christian, Orthodox Women's Day.

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