Icon of Saint Mary Magdalene – S216

Description

Saint Mary Magdalene was so named because she came from the town of Magdala on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Christ healed her of seven tormenting demons, a concept in the New Testament usually referred to as healing from illness, not for forgiveness of sins.  In the West, she is often confused with the sinful woman who wiped Christ’s feet with her hair, and also with the Mary from Bethany, who was the sister of Lazarus and Martha.  In the Eastern Church, it is not so confusing.

Saint Mary Magdalene was called the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she brought them news of Christ’s Resurrection.  She was one of the Myrrh-Bearing Women who came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with fragrant oils and spices, but found him gone and the grave clothes still lying there.  She met Jesus early that same day, but didn’t recognize Him, thinking He was just the gardener until He called her by name, Mary.  She presented an egg to the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar which turned red as a sign of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.  She later lived near Saint John the Theologian in Ephesus, helping him until she died.