MARY MAGDALENE

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Who was Mary Magdalene, who we sometimes call Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine? – Oh, concerning her, there are different views even among the apostles and evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John… To say nothing about global differences in Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam… Some researchers consider Mary Magdalene a repentant sinner who, before meeting with the Teacher, led a sinful life of a harlot (everyone knows the fact from the Bible, when Jesus suggested those who are sinless throwing a stone at a woman)… Some opponents consider her a follower of Jesus Christ, a Christian Saint, a myrrh-bearer…, who, according to the Gospel, Jesus had cleansed of evil demons – seven deadly sins, and who followed him as the myrrh-bearing wife, and was present at His crucifixion and was the first of the people to be rewarded with the appearance of the risen Christ.

Some interpreters believe that the saint got her middle name – Magdalene – because she came from the Galilean city of Magdala. Though other interpreters claim that her name goes back to the Hebrew word migdal and the Aramaic magdala, that is, “tower” … And since, as everyone knows, the “tower” is a feudal, that is, knightly, symbol, in the Middle Ages, this noble shade of meaning was transferred to the personality of Mary… Thus, she and her image acquired aristocratic traits.

However, something reconciles different views on this unusual woman:

• in the New Testament, the name of Mary Magdalene occurs 13 times;
• Mary Magdalene was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ, treating Him with reverent love and tenderness;
• she was the only person who was with Jesus when He was under guard, and her love for the son of God was stronger than her fear for her own life;
• together with the Mother of God, the mother of Jesus, she was the second last one who stayed with Him when He was nailed to the cross;
• she was the first to see His empty grave and His resurrection;
• when the Saint reached old age, she settled in the city of Ephesus, where she assisted the Apostle John the Theologian;
• the importance of Mary Magdalene in the life of Jesus Christ is enormous, as He called her one of His best disciples;
• any icon of Mary Magdalene is a symbol of repentance;
• Mary Magdalene forgives even seven deadly sins;
• according to the traditional Western art and symbolism, Mary Magdalene is depicted with her head uncovered and her hair loose;
• many works of art, paintings and music have been created about Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene is revered as “a benefactor” of hairdressers and pharmacists, she is also considered the Patroness of the family, and therefore she may be asked:

• to strengthen the marriage;
• to give birth to healthy children;
• to resolve family conflicts.

Moreover, people can come to Mary Magdalene with any request and pray:

• to enlighten the mind;
• to strengthen faith;
• to protect from witchcraft and magical effects of curses, the evil eye of evil people and enemies;
• Mary Magdalene may also be revered as the Patroness of brides.

By the way, if you suddenly have a passionate desire to be a “good girl” or if you feel that “I am a good boy, I am going to bed” … then you are in the sphere of Saint Mary Magdalene’s energy influence! By the way, this is not “the excellent student’s syndrome” – the desire to achieve high goals, to earn praise and approval of others… It’s “the right way to do the right thing”, i. e. doing things the right way… in actions and thoughts… This is the desire to comply with the divine laws of harmony!

We celebrate the feast day of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Myrrh-bearing Mary Magdalene (when people “reflect more deeply on the dignity of women”) on 22 July.