Much is known about Mary Magdalene, the repentant harlot who followed on the heels of Christ and became his most faithful disciple, standing with the mother of Jesus at the cross with his crucified body. This woman is revered in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, for her heart was devoted to the Son of God until the end of her life, and her unshakable faith allowed her to get rid of vices and gain victory over the fear of death. Prayer to Mary Magdalene, including in Russian, can help in the most difficult times.
Troparion, voice 1*
You followed Christ, born of a Virgin for our sake, / the honorable Magdalino Mary, / who preserves the justifications and laws. / Meanwhile today we celebrate your all-holy memory, / the resolution of sins / / prayers We accept yours.
Translation: You followed Christ, born of the Virgin for our sake, venerable Mary Magdalene, keeping His commandments and laws. Therefore, on this day, celebrating your all-holy memory, we receive forgiveness of sins through your prayers.
Witness of the Resurrection
Just as Mary Magdalene relentlessly followed Christ during her earthly life, so she wanted to serve Him who died. Together with the other wives, Mary prepared aromatic oils to anoint the body of the deceased Jesus Christ. But the saint saw a stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb (according to Jewish tradition, the bodies of the deceased were placed in caves). Mary hastened to inform the apostles Peter and John the Theologian about this.
The second time Mary came to the tomb, following the apostles. Having personally verified the absence of Jesus’ body, she received news from the angels about the Resurrection of Christ. Looking back, she saw the Savior, but did not immediately recognize Him, mistaking Him for a gardener. Only when Christ called her by name did she recognize Him. After this, Mary Magdalene hastened to tell the apostles about the Resurrection of the Savior.
Thus, Mary Magdalene is the first witness and evangelist of the Resurrection of Christ.
Kontakion, voice 3*
Standing, glorious one, at the Cross of Spasov with many others,/ and the Mother of the Lord is compassionate, and shedding tears,/ offering this in praise, saying:/ that this is a strange miracle?/ Contain all creation , suffer as you please. // Glory to Your power.
Translation: Standing there, the glorious one, at the Cross of the Savior with many other wives, and compassionate with the Mother of the Lord, and shedding tears, she offered something in praise, and exclaimed: “What is this extraordinary miracle? He who has chosen to suffer has favored all creation. Glory to Your power!”
Akathist to Saint Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles
Kontakion 1
Prepared by the Lord for equal-to-the-apostles service, Saint Mary Magdalene, you followed your beloved Christ; With the same songs we praise you with love: you, who have great boldness towards the Lord, deliver us from all troubles with your prayers, and with joy we continually call to you: Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus above all good things.
Ikos 1
The Creator of angels and the Lord of hosts, foreknowledge of your good will, holy myrrh-bearer, chose you from the city of Magdala, freeing you from the devil’s snare: but you have appeared to this day, a faithful servant of the Lord, zealous for the glorification of His life and service. We, marveling at God’s gaze on you, in the tenderness of our hearts call you: Rejoice, called from the Son of God from the darkness of the devil into His wonderful light; Rejoice, for by grace you remained pure in body and spirit to the end. Rejoice, having preserved spiritual poverty to the end with purity of heart; Rejoice, you who were privileged to behold the risen Christ above all others. Rejoice, thou who has conquered the power of the enemy for good; Rejoice, you who shone forth with strong faith and warm love for Christ our God. Rejoice, you who loved Christ the Savior with all your heart; Rejoice, you who served him faithfully even to death. Rejoice, thou who hast been renewed with grace in thy soul; Rejoice, you who have contained the preaching of the Gospel in the treasure of your heart. Rejoice, you who proclaimed the sermon of the Resurrection by the Apostle; Rejoice, venerable angelic conversation. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 2
Holy Mary, seeing her deliverance from seven fierce demons, cleave to the conqueror of hell to Christ God with all her heart, teaching all people not only with their lips, but also with all their lives to serve God, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The human mind is perplexed, thinking, from what troubles, to the height of an angelic life, by the grace of Christ, you ascended, worthy of praise to Mary Magdalene. In the same way, we, who are your good intercessor, warmly pray to you: deliver us from the abyss of sin, and let us cry out to you with love: Rejoice, you who escaped the cruel demonic slavery; Rejoice, you who have exposed the flattery of crafty demons. Rejoice, having taught everyone to run to Christ God in the adversity of the enemy; Rejoice, thou who instigates no one to despair in the great, sinful sorrow. Rejoice, having shown the path to holiness to all sinners; Rejoice, thou who has known the omnipotent power of the grace of Christ. Rejoice, good teacher worthy of thanksgiving to God; Rejoice, faithful teacher of true praise of God. Rejoice, in your life you showed us the right path of the earthly course; Rejoice, good intercessor for all sinners before God. Rejoice, protector of our souls from satanic flattery; Rejoice, our warm intercessor to Christ in all sorrow. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 3
By the power of divine grace, together with your good will, you sadly left your father’s house, like Abraham of old, and you joyfully followed Christ God: we also pray to you, disciple of Christ, glorious Mary, with your prayers, enlighten our hearts with love for God, and now and ever we cry unto him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the power God-given to you, you courageously rejected Mary Magdalene, the red one of this world, and like a good disciple, you truly served the Word that was impoverished for us with much mercy. For this reason, we cry out to you with tenderness: Rejoice, good disciple of Christ; Rejoice, teacher of true love for God. Rejoice, you who have known the vanity of this world well; Rejoice, you who courageously rejected his joys. Rejoice, red one who has imputed nothing to the world; Rejoice, you who have shown the monastic rite a good way of life. Rejoice, you who guide everyone to Christ God; Rejoice, you who came forth from your earthly home for works of mercy. Rejoice, having found Christ’s mercy here and in heaven; Rejoice, for you have achieved eternal bliss. Rejoice, wise lamb, who ran from the evil wolves to the good shepherd Christ; Rejoice, you who entered into the fold of his verbal sheep. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 4
A storm of demonic rage rushes with great force towards the temple of your soul, holy Mary, but it is not possible to shake it completely: for you have found salvation on the firmament of faith, the stones of Christ, on which you, wise woman, standing motionless, teach all the good God to sing the song: Alleluia .
Ikos 4
Hearing, God-wise Mary, because in following Christ you have found true joy of heart, truth, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, we strive to appear as partakers of this Kingdom of God. To you, as you are a partaker of this being and have shown us the way to it, with all your words: Rejoice, you who have loved the heavenly sweetness of Jesus; Rejoice, having found true life in Christ. Rejoice, you who faithfully showed us the same image; Rejoice, you who now live forever in heavenly joy. Rejoice, you who continually eat the food of heaven; Rejoice, having kindled the fire of love for God in your heart. Rejoice, O Christ God, as his faithful and beloved servant; Rejoice, diligent prayer book for us to God. Rejoice, helper in our troubles; Rejoice, our good and gentle teacher. Rejoice, most holy dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star accompanying Christ, the glorious Mary, appeared in the midst of the myrrh-bearers. With them now, the Holy Trinity constantly stands before us, and with your prayers to the sacred face, illuminate the dark path of our life with your light, so that we joyfully cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing, holy Mary, Christ God hanging on the cross, you showed wondrous courage: for you left many disciples of your Teacher: but you, having kindled your soul and thought with His incessant divine teachings, you overcame the weakness of your female nature, and thus you partook of the saving passion of Christ. For this reason, we, seeing your valiant courage, cry out to you: Rejoice, beauty and fertilizer of wise women; Rejoice, good joy to all Christians. Rejoice, Christ God, hanging on the cross, compassionate one; Rejoice, thou who has shown us the way more unshakably than love. Rejoice, having gained great boldness through your love for us in your intercession with God; Rejoice, kindness and praise to women. Rejoice, strong refuge for Christians; Rejoice, stronger than strong men. Rejoice, wisest of the wise men of this world; Rejoice, for God has revealed His secret wisdom to you. Rejoice, for God the Word Himself taught you true theology; Rejoice, you who loved Christ God more than your own life. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 6
By Your grace you healed the weak and made weak vessels strong, O Christ the King. The myrrh-bearing women stand courageously at your cross and fearlessly proclaim the grace of the cross to everyone: the faces of the wise women, eagerly resembling the faces of angels, cheerfully and incessantly cry out to the Trinity of Saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Seekingly illuminated by the light of true understanding of God, when you saw God hanging on the cross, you said tearfully, wondrous Mary: how can Life now accept free death? We, who lead your glorious enlightenment through the grace of the Holy Spirit, cry out to you: Rejoice, you who mourned Christ crucified from the depths of your soul; Rejoice, having found eternal joy in the heavenly villages. Rejoice, you who showed us the image of good crying; Rejoice, for you are our constant joy. Rejoice, true consolation for all who mourn; Rejoice, for for Christ’s sake, you suffered on earth for His sake. Rejoice, for you are glorified with Him in heaven; Rejoice, strong conqueror of all our enemies. Rejoice, you are an ambulance in all our sorrows; Rejoice, for your memory is sweet to all Christians. Rejoice, for your name is most honorable to the entire Church of Christ; Rejoice, true vine of Christ's grapes. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 7
Wanting to understand the all-conquering power of the cross, until the end of Christ’s passion you stood at the cross of Spasov with other wives, glorious Mary. The Mothers of the Lord are painfully compassionate, so you cried out in bewilderment: that this is a strange miracle; keep all creation suffering as you please. We cry out to the life-giving cross by the will of the ascended love: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou didst appear as a wondrous wife, blessed Mary, through thy love for Christ God: for she expressed her sorrowful sobs, falling upon him who was taken down from the cross, and with pure tears thou didst wash His wounds. You also followed the noble Joseph and the truth-loving Nicodemus, to the tomb of Spasov with other holy wives, weeping, like His Immaculate Mother, weeping inconsolably, Who passed through the fierce weapon of her soul, comforting. We, knowing such your valor, humbly cry to you: Rejoice, you who washed the most pure wounds of Christ with your tears; Rejoice, O Mother of That Most Immaculate One who had compassion. Rejoice, you who did not abandon Christ even to the grave; Rejoice, life that was placed in the grave, ripening in bewilderment. Rejoice, our good teacher, tears of repentance; Rejoice, teaching us to wash away those tears of sinful defilement. Rejoice, you who encourage us to soften our hardened hearts; Rejoice, you who showed us the image of true wisdom. Rejoice, you who teach us to remember the passions of Christ; Hail, glorious Mary, united with the most immaculate Virgin Mary, our faithful intercessor. Rejoice, good servant of Christ; Rejoice, O Lord, and not pleasing to man. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 8
It is strange, God-wise Mary, when the burial of the life-giving Life-Giver appeared to you to all: He was wounded by love, even to the present darkness, to His tomb you brought myrrh and shed tearful aromas. In the same way, you now remain in the fragrant villages of paradise with angelic faces, constantly crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All the sweetness, all the joy, all the life was for you Jesus, holy Mary: For this reason, having seen the stone taken from the tomb. Having not found this, you flowed weeping towards the living stone of faith, Simon, and another disciple, whom Jesus loved, painfully saying to them: “Thou hast taken the Lord from the tomb, and we know not where thou hast laid him.” Now you, having been freed from that sorrow, rejoice with Christ forever in heaven. We on earth are filled with such joy through your prayers and with tenderness we cry out to you: Rejoice, having conquered the darkness of the night with the radiance of your love for Christ; Rejoice, you who taught us night vigil in prayer. Rejoice, shone with eternal light in heaven; Rejoice, having purchased the Kingdom of Heaven through spiritual poverty; Rejoice, for through your sorrow over the passion of Christ you have found abundant consolation; Rejoice, meek woman, heiress of the earth of heavenly paradise. Rejoice, you who have hungered and thirsted for the righteousness of Christ, for you are now filled with the heavenly table; Rejoice, merciful one, having received the mercy of the Lord, and earnestly asking for our pardon. Rejoice, for now, as pure in heart, you see God face to face; Rejoice, for thou hast been vouchsafed above all others to see the Resurrection of Christ, the eternal world. Rejoice, expelled righteousness for the sake of Christ, for yours is the Kingdom of God; Rejoice, thou who hast obtained eternal joy and abundant rewards in heaven. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 9
Every order of angels marveled at the great mystery of Thy glorious Resurrection, O Christ the King, and they were in awe, seeing how Thou had descended into the underworld of the earth and shattered the eternal faiths that contained those bound, O Christ. We rejoice with the joy of the myrrh-bearing women and cry out with joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The ancient tongues of many things are not sufficient to adequately express your great sorrow, O glorious Mary, when you stood outside the tomb weeping. Who will be able to solve the illness of your soul, when you did not find in the tomb your beloved Lord more than your life; your sad heart is unable to heed the consolation of the bright angels. Remembering your calico sorrow with tenderness, we sing to you as follows: Rejoice, to see Christ Jesus entering the cave; Rejoice, now you who sit on the Throne of Glory and see; Rejoice, thou who hast seen the bright celestial beings still existing on earth; Rejoice, from those who received the voice of joy of the Resurrection of Christ. Rejoice, for now you rejoice with them forever; Rejoice, you who brought myrrh to Christ through love. Rejoice, thou who hast flowed sweetly into the fragrant peace of Christ; Rejoice, you who have rejected the joys of the sinful world and bitterness. Rejoice, thou who has loved the heavenly sweetness of Jesus; Rejoice, good summer-bush of the garden of Jesus. Rejoice, fruitful vine of the garden of God; Rejoice, the most adorned Temple of the All-Holy Spirit appearing. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 10
Although thou didst descend immortally into the grave to save the world, thou didst destroy the power of hell and rose again as a conqueror, O Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice. With them we now bring you a song of joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The walls of stone became stronger than your love for Christ, who loved you, the glorious myrrh-bearing Magdalene Mary. In the same way, you were the only one who saw before our Life rising from the grave: but you did not expect that heliman to be, and you cried out to him, forgetting the weakness of nature: if you took Him, tell me where you laid Him, and I will take Him. But show that sweet voice of the Teacher, teach us to say this: Rejoice, you who have risen first of the true Vertogradar have seen; Rejoice, thou who art settled in the heavenly city. Rejoice, you who now continually feed on the grapes of God’s grace; Rejoice, rejoicing in the wine of heavenly joys. Rejoice, for your love for God has conquered your nature; Rejoice, for you have taught us the zeal of God to eat. Rejoice, you who first received the broadcast of the Resurrection from the lips of Christ; Rejoice, you who first proclaimed the words of joy as the Apostle. Rejoice, having found eternal joy in heaven; Rejoice, for you call us to that joy with you. Rejoice, for you continually intercede for us with God; Rejoice, for you bring warm prayers for us to Him. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 11
Not a single word is sufficient to sing the divine joy of the Resurrection of Christ, even with other wives, the glorious Mary, the apostle to proclaim on this appointed and holy day, a feast of feasts and a triumph of triumphs. Moreover, before the greatness of your unspeakable generosity, O Christ the King, who was upon us, we bow down, with humility and love, we call upon you: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
You appeared as a luminous star to the sinful world, Mary Magdalene, when, after the glorious Ascension of the Savior, cities and weights were passing away and proclaiming the word of the Gospel everywhere, you bowed many under the good yoke of Christ. Having reached even ancient Rome, you courageously appeared before Tiberius Caesar and with that image of a red egg and with wise words you understood the life-giving power of Christ, and you exposed the wicked Pilate and the godless bishop, so that for their lawless deeds they would accept it as worthy: they marvel at such a feat of your apostleship, joyfully We cry out to you: Rejoice, glorious evangelist of Christ’s teachings; Rejoice, radiant chaser of pagan darkness. Rejoice, you who have loosed the sinful bonds of many people; Rejoice, having taught everyone the wisdom of Christ. Rejoice, you who have led many people from the darkness of ignorance into the wonderful light of Christ; Rejoice, you who showed us the image of standing firmly for the truth of Christ. Rejoice, you who loved the salvation of the souls of sinners more than your own life; Rejoice, you who have understood the commandments of Christ well. Rejoice, you who followed faithfully; Rejoice, you who boldly exposed the darkness of the pagans. Rejoice, thou who was not afraid of Caesar’s wrath; Rejoice, you who showed the malice and deceit of Christ’s enemies. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 12
Abundantly filled with grace from God, you brought many souls to Christ, O glorious Mary: for this reason you came to Ephesus, where you served the apostolic love with the apostle for the salvation of man, and reposed in a blessed dormition to the Lord, to whom now you sing unceasingly with numerous heavenly singers: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your praiseworthy life on earth and the glory that is in heaven, we joyfully glorify, sing and magnify the wondrous Heavenly King in our saints: not only do you yourself, holy Mary, by that grace now rejoice in the villages of the righteous, but also make us glad on earth Having left us the valuable myrrh of your relics, even the wise Leo King, commanded us to bring it from Ephesus to Constantine City. You and we, who exude boundless grace with love flowing to all who flow, with faith and love mentally kissingly, touchingly sing to you like this: Rejoice, who burned with love for Christ on earth; Rejoice, you who have taken up residence in the heavenly abode of that one. Rejoice, firm intercession of the faithful; Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, fragrant Church. Rejoice, golden censer, constantly bringing incense to God for prayers for us; Rejoice, endless source of healing. Rejoice, inexhaustible treasure of God's grace; Rejoice, faithful participant of the angelic faces. Rejoice, glorious inhabitant of the heavenly palaces; Rejoice, for your reward is abundant in heaven. Rejoice, for your joy is eternal in the abodes of the saints; Rejoice, for you also receive joy for us, and you continually intercede for grace and glory. Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings.
Kontakion 13
Oh, wonderful and wondrous adornment of women, praise and joy to all Christians, who appeared equal to the Apostle, the glorious myrrh-bearer Mary Magdalene! Having accepted our present prayer, from all our troubles and sorrows, mental and physical, and from the visible and invisible enemies that come upon us, deliver us, and through your intercession direct everyone to the Kingdom of Heaven, with tenderness and love singing about you to God: Alleluia. Three times.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayers to Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene
First prayer
Oh, holy myrrh-bearer and all-praised Equal-to-the-Apostles Christ's disciple Mary Magdalene! To you, as the most faithful and powerful intercessor for us to God, we now diligently resort to sinners and unworthiness and in contrition of our hearts we pray. In your life you experienced the terrible wiles of demons, but by the grace of Christ you clearly freed them; and with your prayers deliver us from the snare of demons, so that in all our lives we may faithfully serve the one Holy Master God, as we were promised, in our deeds, words, thoughts and secret thoughts of our hearts. You have loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the blessings of the earth, and you have followed this through all your good life; with His Divine teachings and grace you not only nourish your soul, but also bring many people from pagan darkness to Christ’s wonderful light: then we ask you knowingly: ask us Christ God has enlightening and sanctifying grace, so that we may be blessed by it in faith and piety, in the labors of love and self-sacrifice, so that those who earnestly strive to serve our neighbors in their spiritual and physical needs, remembering the example of your love for mankind. You, holy Mary, lived your life on earth cheerfully by the grace of God and peacefully departed to the heavenly abode: pray to Christ the Savior, that through your prayers He will grant us the ability to unfalteringly complete our journey in this vale of tears and in peace and repentance to end our life, so that Having lived in holiness on earth, we will be honored with eternal blissful life in heaven, and there with you and all the saints together we will praise the inseparable Trinity, we will glorify the One Divinity, the Father and the Son and the All-Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, holy myrrh-bearer, equal to the apostles Mary Magdalene! You, with your warm love for Christ God, trampled the evil machinations of the enemy and found the priceless beads of Christ and reached the Kingdom of Heaven. For this reason, I fall to you and with a tender soul and a contrite heart I cry out to you, unworthy: look down from the heights of heaven upon me, who fight sinful temptations; see, since the enemy besets me with many sins and troubles every day, seeking my destruction. Glorious and all-praised disciple of Christ, Mary! Pray to your beloved and your loved one, Christ God, that He may grant me forgiveness of many of my sins, strengthen me with His grace to soberly and cheerfully walk the path of His holy commandments, and may He make me a fragrant temple of the Holy Spirit: so that in the world I will unashamedly end my arduous life on earth and will dwell in the bright and blissful abodes of heavenly paradise, where you, with all the saints, unceasingly joyfully glorify the one-substantial Trinity, the Father, the Son and the All-Holy Spirit. Amen.
Troparion to Mary Magdalene, Myrrh-Bearer
Troparion, tone 1
You followed Christ, born of the Virgin for our sake, honorable Magdalene Mary, keeping His justifications and laws: and today we celebrate your all-holy memory, the resolution of sins through your prayers is acceptable.
Greatness
We magnify you, myrrh-bearing saint, Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, and honor your illnesses and labors, in the image in which you labored in the gospel of Christ.
Prayer 1*
Oh, Holy Myrrh-Bearer, Equal-to-the-Apostles Magdalene Mary! With your warm love for Christ God, you trampled the evil machinations of the enemy and you found priceless pearls, Christ, and you reached the Kingdom of Heaven. For this reason I fall to you and with a tender soul and a contrite heart I cry out to you, I, unworthy: look down on me from the heights of Heaven, I have struggled with sinful temptations, see that I have many sins and no Let the enemy trample me every day, seeking my destruction. Glorious and all-praiseworthy disciple of Christ Mary! Pray to Christ God, whom you love and love you, to grant me remission of many of my sins, to strengthen me with His grace to walk soberly and cheerfully along the path of the holy commandments May the fragrant temple of the Holy Spirit make Him for me, so that in peace I will shamelessly end my laborious life on earth and I will dwell in the bright and blissful abodes of Heavenly Paradise, where you and all the saints will joyfully glorify the Consubstantial Trinity, the Father, the Son and the All-Holy Spirit. Amen.
Miracles icons
There is no evidence of the lifetime miracles performed by Mary Magdalene. But she helped people after her death. You can learn about this from the book “The Golden Legend,” authored by Bishop Jacob of Voragin of Genoa.
He wrote descriptions of the lives of about 180 saints, among whom was Mary Magdalene. Thanks to prayers to the icon of the saint, a pregnant woman was saved from a sinking ship. In this difficult hour for herself, she promised that if she remained alive, she would give her son to serve God.
The Most Holy One responded to her prayer and held her chin, pointing the direction to the shore. The woman soon gave birth to a healthy son and fulfilled the vow made to the saint, giving him to serve in a temple dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
Thanks to prayers to the icon, a blind man was healed. With a guide, he went to the monastery of Mary Magdalene to venerate her relics, and received his sight at the moment when his companion saw the domes of the monastery in the distance.
The robber, after seeing the image of Saint Mary Magdalene, believed and began to lead a righteous life. Today, the icon of this ascetic helps prisoners, heals seriously ill patients, allows women to be relieved of their burdens, and allows those who are lost and have turned away from the true path to repent and turn to the Lord.
Prayer 2*
Oh, holy myrrh-bearer and all-praiseworthy equal-to-the-apostles of Christ, Mary Magdalene, the disciple! To you, as the most faithful and powerful intercessor for us to God, sinners and unworthy ones, we now diligently resort to you and pray in contrition of our hearts. In your life you experienced the terrible machinations of demons, but by the grace of Christ you clearly freed them, and with your prayers you delivered us from the snare of demons, so that we may be taken out in all our lives. In words, thoughts and secret thoughts of our hearts let us faithfully serve the one Holy Master God, as they promised Him. You loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all the earthly blessings, and You followed Him well throughout your life, His Divine teachings and grace not only feeding your own soul, but also many people bringing from pagan darkness to Christ the wonderful light; then, leading, we ask you: ask us from Christ God for the grace that enlightens and sanctifies, so that we may be blessed by it, succeed in faith and piety, in the labors of love and self-sacrifice, and serve without laziness You to your neighbors in their spiritual and physical needs, remembering the example of your love for mankind. You, holy Mary, you cheerfully flowed through your life on earth with the grace of God and you peacefully departed to the heavenly abode, pray to Christ the Savior, that through your prayers He will enable us without stumbling. This is our journey in this vale of tears and in peace and repentance we will end our lives, and so Having lived in holiness on earth, we will be honored with eternal blissful life in Heaven and there with you and all the saints together we will praise the Indivisible Trinity, we will sing praises to the One Divinity, the Father and S God and the All-Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Menea. July 22nd.
- Voice in the Dictionary.
- Akathist to Saint Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles.
- Canon of Equal to the Apostles Mary Magdalene.
The story of the Holy Myrrh-Bearer Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was born in the city of Magdala, on the shores of Lake Gennesaret, the Gospel tells. A beautiful woman, according to witnesses, led a riotous lifestyle until she met Christ, who was the first to intercede for her when the villagers almost stoned her to death. After this, Mary devoted the rest of her life to faith and service to Christ.
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50), Jesus told her, having cast out all demons from the woman’s soul and body. Since then, Mary remained a faithful and caring friend of Christ, holding long conversations with him about faith, love and repentance.
At the moment of Christ's crucifixion, she was on Calvary, being with the mother of the son of God, and when his heart was pierced by a sharp spear, Mary experienced excruciating pain in her heart. It was for her sincere suffering and love that she was given the happiness of being the first to see the risen Christ.
"Christ is risen! He is truly the Son of God! I saw the Lord!...” - with such good news, Mary Magdalene rushed to the apostles.
When the Roman emperor, who learned about such a miracle, refused to believe in it, it was Mary Magdalene who presented him with a white egg with the words “Christ is Risen!”, after which the egg instantly turned bright red. Since then, Christians all over the world have been giving their loved ones colored eggs for the bright holiday of Easter.
