Difference between revisions of "Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women"
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| − | There are eight women that are generally identified as the | + | The '''Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women''' falls on the Sunday immediately following [[Pascha]]. The [[myrrh-bearer]]s had brought funeral spices and anointments to finish commiting [[Christ]]'s body to the grave. They were the first to see the empty tomb and were instructed by the risen Lord to bring the joyful news to the [[apostles]]. |
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| + | There are eight women that are generally identified as the myrrh-bearers. Each of the four [[Gospels]] gives different aspects of the roles of these eight women at the cross and at the tomb on [[Easter]] morning, perhaps since the eight women arrived in different groups and at different times. The eight are: | ||
* [[Mary Magdalene]] | * [[Mary Magdalene]] | ||
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* Mary [[Theotokos]] (The Virgin Mary) | * Mary [[Theotokos]] (The Virgin Mary) | ||
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* [[Joanna]] | * [[Joanna]] | ||
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* [[Salome]] | * [[Salome]] | ||
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* Mary the wife of Cleopas (or Alphaeus) | * Mary the wife of Cleopas (or Alphaeus) | ||
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* [[Susanna]] | * [[Susanna]] | ||
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* [[Mary of Bethany]] | * [[Mary of Bethany]] | ||
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* [[Martha of Bethany]] | * [[Martha of Bethany]] | ||
| − | Of the eight, the first five are the more prominent and outspoken. The last three, according to tradition, were also included. Five of these women were also very wealthy. The women of means were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and Mary and Martha of Bethany. | + | Of the eight, the first five are the more prominent and outspoken. The last three, according to tradition, were also included. Five of these women were also very wealthy. The women of means were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Mary and Martha of Bethany. |
| − | A confusing aspect in Gospel references to these women is that two of the Marys had a son named James. Mary, the wife of Alphaeus, was the mother of James, one of the Twelve Apostles; the Virgin Mary was the step mother of James, the | + | A confusing aspect in Gospel references to these women is that two of the Marys had a son named James. Mary, the wife of [[Apostle Alphaeus|Alphaeus]], was the mother of [[Apostle James (son of Alphaeus)|James]], one of the Twelve Apostles; the Virgin Mary was the step-mother of [[Apostle James the Just|James]], the Lord's brother ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 13:55, [[Galatians]] 1:19). |
| − | In Western church tradition, James, the son of Alphaeus, and James, the | + | In Western church tradition, James, the son of Alphaeus, and James, the Lord's brother, have sometimes been identified as the same person. From Eastern tradition, James, the Lord's brother was [[Bishop]] of Jerusalem from 30-62 AD and never left the vicinity of Jerusalem. He is the James who rendered the decision of the council of Jerusalem in 48 AD (Acts 15:13-19). Eastern Tradition links James the son of Alphaeus with evangelism abroad, especially in Egypt where he was [[martyr]]ed. |
| − | One helpful tip that can clear up the confusion between these two Marys is the passage that refers to the Virgin Mary as the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 13:55). This Joseph is also called Barsabas, Justus and Judas (Acts 1:23, Acts 15:22). Therefore, in Matthew 27:56, the women looking on from afar at the cross were Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary (that is, Mary the mother of James and Joseph) and Salome (the wife of Zebedee and the Virgin | + | One helpful tip that can clear up the confusion between these two Marys is the passage that refers to the Virgin Mary as the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 13:55). This Joseph is also called Barsabas, Justus, and Judas ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 1:23, Acts 15:22). Therefore, in Matthew 27:56, the women looking on from afar at the cross were Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary (that is, Mary the mother of James and Joseph), and [[Salome]] (the wife of [[Zebedee]] and the Virgin Mary's step-daughter). |
| − | Matthew refers to Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" | + | Matthew refers to Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," which is probably the Virgin Mary also from the context (Matthew 27:61 and 28:1). Such [[Church Fathers]] as St. [[Gregory of Nyssa]] and St. [[Gregory Palamas]] support this interpretation. Similarly, St. Gregory of Nyssa identifies "Mary, the mother of James" ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 16:1 and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 24:10) as the Virgin Mary also. |
| − | These eight women had been together a lot during | + | These eight women had been together a lot during Jesus' three-year public ministry. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others (Luke 8:3) are described as providing for Jesus out of their possessions (that is, acting as [[deaconess]]es). These same women had faithfully followed Him from Galilee and had come up with Him to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55, Mark 15:40-41, and Luke 23:55). |
== Scripture == | == Scripture == | ||
| − | + | *[[Matins]] Gospel: Mark 16:9-20 | |
| − | Matins Gospel: Mark 16:9-20 | + | *[[Epistle]]: Acts 6:1-7 |
| − | + | *Gospel: Mark 15:43–16:8 | |
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| − | Epistle: Acts 6:1-7 | ||
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| − | Gospel: Mark 15:43–16:8 | ||
== Hymns == | == Hymns == | ||
| + | [[Troparion]] (Tone 2) | ||
| + | :Verily, the [[angel]] came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, | ||
| + | :"the ointment is meet for the dead, | ||
| + | :but [[Christ]] is shown to be remote from corruption. | ||
| + | :But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy." | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Feasts]] | |
| − | |||
Revision as of 19:03, August 9, 2005
The Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women falls on the Sunday immediately following Pascha. The myrrh-bearers had brought funeral spices and anointments to finish commiting Christ's body to the grave. They were the first to see the empty tomb and were instructed by the risen Lord to bring the joyful news to the apostles.
There are eight women that are generally identified as the myrrh-bearers. Each of the four Gospels gives different aspects of the roles of these eight women at the cross and at the tomb on Easter morning, perhaps since the eight women arrived in different groups and at different times. The eight are:
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary Theotokos (The Virgin Mary)
- Joanna
- Salome
- Mary the wife of Cleopas (or Alphaeus)
- Susanna
- Mary of Bethany
- Martha of Bethany
Of the eight, the first five are the more prominent and outspoken. The last three, according to tradition, were also included. Five of these women were also very wealthy. The women of means were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Mary and Martha of Bethany.
A confusing aspect in Gospel references to these women is that two of the Marys had a son named James. Mary, the wife of Alphaeus, was the mother of James, one of the Twelve Apostles; the Virgin Mary was the step-mother of James, the Lord's brother (Matthew 13:55, Galatians 1:19).
In Western church tradition, James, the son of Alphaeus, and James, the Lord's brother, have sometimes been identified as the same person. From Eastern tradition, James, the Lord's brother was Bishop of Jerusalem from 30-62 AD and never left the vicinity of Jerusalem. He is the James who rendered the decision of the council of Jerusalem in 48 AD (Acts 15:13-19). Eastern Tradition links James the son of Alphaeus with evangelism abroad, especially in Egypt where he was martyred.
One helpful tip that can clear up the confusion between these two Marys is the passage that refers to the Virgin Mary as the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 13:55). This Joseph is also called Barsabas, Justus, and Judas (Acts 1:23, Acts 15:22). Therefore, in Matthew 27:56, the women looking on from afar at the cross were Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary (that is, Mary the mother of James and Joseph), and Salome (the wife of Zebedee and the Virgin Mary's step-daughter).
Matthew refers to Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," which is probably the Virgin Mary also from the context (Matthew 27:61 and 28:1). Such Church Fathers as St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Gregory Palamas support this interpretation. Similarly, St. Gregory of Nyssa identifies "Mary, the mother of James" (Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:10) as the Virgin Mary also.
These eight women had been together a lot during Jesus' three-year public ministry. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others (Luke 8:3) are described as providing for Jesus out of their possessions (that is, acting as deaconesses). These same women had faithfully followed Him from Galilee and had come up with Him to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55, Mark 15:40-41, and Luke 23:55).
Scripture
Hymns
Troparion (Tone 2)
