St Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles

St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles Feast Day and Greek Name Day

St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles is honored in the Orthodox Christian Church as one of the most devoted followers of Jesus Christ and one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22, and on this day people named Maria, Mary, Mari, Maro, Marika, Marilena, Marietta, and Ria, among other variations, celebrate their Greek name day.

Who Was St. Mary Magdalene

St. Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus Christ who came from the town of Magdala, located near the Sea of Galilee.

She became one of Christ’s most faithful disciples and supported His ministry. The Gospels describe her as a devoted follower who remained close to Jesus during His preaching and teaching.

Witness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection

St. Mary Magdalene was present during the Crucifixion of Christ and remained near the cross when many others had fled.

She is especially remembered for being among the first to witness the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel accounts, she was the first person to encounter the risen Christ and was sent to tell the apostles the news.

Because she carried the message of the Resurrection to the apostles, the Church honors her with the title Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Missionary Tradition

According to Christian tradition, St. Mary Magdalene later traveled to preach the Gospel and continued spreading the message of Christ after the Resurrection.

Her devotion and courage made her one of the most respected women in early Christian history.

Greek Name Day for Mary

Because St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles is commemorated on July 22, this date is also the Greek name day for:

Maria

Mary

Mari

Maro

Marika

Marilena

Marietta

Ria

In Greek culture, celebrating a name day is often just as important as celebrating a birthday. Friends and family commonly offer well wishes or visits to honor the person whose name is being celebrated.

When St. Mary Magdalene Is Celebrated

The feast day of St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles is observed each year on July 22 in the Greek Orthodox Church. She is remembered for her devotion to Christ, her witness to the Resurrection, and her role in spreading the message of the Gospel.