History and Name Day Information of Saint Mary Magdalene in the Orthodox Church

The full dedication of Saint Mary Magdalene was rewarded. The Lord esteemed her worthy to be first, along with the Most Holy Theotokos, before all His disciples, to learn about His Resurrection. Mary Magdalene and other disciples were the first to meet the Risen Lord on the first day after the Sabbath.

After Pentecost, he went to Rome, where he met King Tiberius and denounced Pilate for the injustice he committed against Jesus of Nazareth, causing his deposition and his exemplary punishment. Her missionary activity reached as far as Egypt, Asia Minor, France, and Italy, where she worked for the consolidation of the Church in Rome. In the last years of her life, she stayed with John the Evangelist and completed the course of her earthly life peacefully in Ephesus.

By the command of Leo VI the Wise in 890, her holy relics were transferred to the holy monastery of St. Lazarus in Palestine. Mary Magdalene, the Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles, is celebrated at the Monastery of Simonos Petra in Athos, where there is a fragment of her right palm.

She is also revered by the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church as the patron saint of the Polish Orthodox Church. A majestic church dedicated to St. Magdalene was built in the center of the country’s capital, Warsaw.

The Church today celebrates the memory of Saint Mary Magdalene, the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles, as well as the memory of the Virgin-martyr Markella of Chios and Martyr Theophilus the Younger.

Saint Maria was from the small city of Magdala, which is located on the banks of Lake Genesareth (Galilee), between the cities of Capharnaum and Tiberias. It is one of the most misunderstood women in church history. According to Mark the Evangelist, she suffered from seven demons, which Jesus Christ expelled. As a sign of gratitude, faith, and love, she gave all her property and dedicated her whole life to the Saviour, along with other women. She followed the Lord and His disciples and shared with the Apostles the evangelic tasks.

The full dedication of Saint Mary Magdalene was rewarded. The Lord esteemed her worthy to be first, along with the Most Holy Theotokos, before all His disciples, to learn about His Resurrection. Mary Magdalene and other disciples were the first to meet the Risen Lord on the first day after the Sabbath.

After Pentecost, he went to Rome, where he met King Tiberius and denounced Pilate for the injustice he committed against Jesus of Nazareth, causing his deposition and his exemplary punishment. Her missionary activity reached as far as Egypt, Asia Minor, France, and Italy, where she worked for the consolidation of the Church in Rome. In the last years of her life, she stayed with John the Evangelist and completed the course of her earthly life peacefully in Ephesus.

By the command of Leo VI the Wise in 890, her holy relics were transferred to the holy monastery of St. Lazarus in Palestine. Mary Magdalene, the Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles, is celebrated at the Monastery of Simonos Petra in Athos, where there is a fragment of her right palm.

She is also revered by the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church as the patron saint of the Polish Orthodox Church. A majestic church dedicated to St. Magdalene was built in the center of the country’s capital, Warsaw.

Mary Magdalene in the Scriptures

Mary Magdalene's significance is reinforced through her multiple mentions in the Bible. Her experiences—including the exorcism of demons, her presence at the crucifixion, and her encounter with the risen Christ—are well-documented. A passage from the Book of Matthew illustrates her presence during Jesus's crucifixion:

“And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock. He rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:55-61)

Hymns of Saint Mary Magdalene

The Orthodox Christian Church honors Saint Mary Magdalene through various hymns during church services, including:

Troparion (Tone 1)
In keeping His commandments and laws, O holy Mary Magdalene,
You followed Christ, who for our sake was born of a virgin.
And in celebrating your most holy memory today,
We receive forgiveness of sins by your prayers!

Kontakion (Tone 4)
When God, who is transcendent in essence,
Came with flesh into the world, O Myrrhbearer,
He received you as a true disciple, for you turned all your love toward Him;
Henceforth you would yourself work many healings.
Now that you have passed into heaven, never cease to intercede for the world!

Kontakion (Tone 3)
Standing before the Cross of the Savior,
Suffering with the Mother of the Lord,
The most glorious Mary Magdalene offered praise with tears.
She cried out: What is this strange wonder?
He who holds the whole creation in His hand chooses to suffer:
Glory, O Lord, to Your power!

Saint Mary Magdalene's name day is observed on July 22nd each year. For more information on other name days within the Orthodox Christian tradition, please refer to the Our Name Day page.

Happy Name Day to everyone celebrating today!
Magdeline, Magda, Magdalena, Magdalena, Magdali, Magdalo, Menelaos, Markella, Markella, Markelli, Markeli,Marilena.

Χρόνια Πολλά σε όλους και όλες που γιορτάζουν σήμερα! Σας ευχόμαστε αγάπη, ευτυχία και υγεία πάνω απ'όλα!
Μαγδαληνή, Μάγδα, Μαγδαλένα, Μαγδαλένια, Μαγδαλή, Μαγδάλω, Μενέλαος, Μαρκέλλα, Μαρκέλα, Μαρκελλή, Μαρκελή, Μαριλένα