Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women

On the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Myrrh-bearing Women along with Ss Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus. Their commemoration keeps the "theme" of the Paschal season: sharing the good news of the Resurrection ("He has risen" Mark 16:6).

Icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women

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It's amazing to think of the situation these women found themselves during these chaotic days in Jerusalem. Their Master had been betrayed by his own people (the Jews) and sentenced to a painful and humiliating death to hang upon a Cross for all to witness by the authorities (Romans). These women attended to Jesus and his disciples throughout his Ministry, and yet while his closest friends, his disciples fled the scene (very understandably) after the capture of Jesus, they continued to follow and witnessing the torture he endured for their sake. Fulfilling their service to their Master, they came early in the morning to the tomb of their Lord to wash and anoint His body for burial as was their Jewish custom required. Much to their amazement, they arrived at the tomb and saw the large stone rolled back from the entrance. Being greeted by an angel, they heard the most glorious news that Jesus has risen from the dead and were commanded to go and tell His disciples that their risen Lord would meet with them all in Galilee.

Icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women

Image Source 

From the Gospels and Church Tradition, we learn of eight women included among the group commemorated on this Sunday:

*Mary Magdalene
*Mary, the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary)
*Joanna (wife of Chusa, the household steward of King Herod Antipas, also according to Holy Tradition, she recovered the glorious head of John the Baptist after it has been disposed of by Herodias)
*Salome (mother of the Apostles James & John, sons of Zebedee, also daughter of Joseph the Betrothed)
*Mary the wife of Cleopas (or Alphaeus)
*Susanna
*Mary of Bethany (sister of Lazarus)
*Martha of Bethany (sister of Lazarus)

Icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women

Image Source

Their sadness has been turned into joy; the myrrh-bearing women ultimately become the "apostles to the Apostles," the first to share the good news of the Resurrection with His apostles. What a beautiful example to Christian women, and to all who are called to share to good news of our Lord's Resurrection in a "post-Paschal" world!

"Christ is risen" for the Myrrh-bearing Women told me so! Truly, He is risen!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Paschal Quiz

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! Al Maseeh Qam!

In the joy of the Resurrection, our Paschal season, test your knowledge with some Orthodox Trivia focused on Pascha!

Resurrection of our Lord

1. What does Pascha mean?

a. resurrection   b. passover
c. feast              d. salvation

2. Who is the disciple that would not believe in the good news of the Resurrection of our Lord until he saw the marks of the crucifixion?

a. Peter       b. Paul
c. Thomas    d. Andrew

3. Who is the first person to tell the myrrh-bearing women the good news of the Resurrection?

a. an angel       b. the Jewish soldier
c. Nicodemus   d. Pontius Pilate

4. Did St Paul ever meet Jesus (in the flesh)?

YES or NO

5. Who is the disciple chosen to replace Judas Iscariot among the Twelve?

a. Justus    b. Matthias
c. Mark      d. Paul

6. What is the week following Pascha called?

a. Week of Joy                b. Easter Week
c. Resurrection Week      d. Bright Week

7. Who is depicted in the Icon of the Resurrection/Descent into Hades as being raised by the hand out of the graves by Christ?

a. Joachim & Anna    b. Adam & Eve
b. Abraham & Sarah   d. Moses & Zipporah

8. Who does the Church commemorate on the second Sunday following Pascha?

a. the twelve disciples     b. Jesus' family
c. myrrh-bearing women  d. Longinus the Centurion

9. How many days after Pascha do we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord?

a. 12 days    b. 20 days
c. 40 days    d. 50 days

10. What is the Paschal greeting for Orthodox Christians (in English)?

a. Christ is risen!     b. Christ no longer sleeps!
b. Jesus is Lord!      d. Lord, come!

11. What is the traditional color of the Church during the Paschal season (vestments, altar cloth, candle holders)?

a. blue    b. white
c. red     d. gold

12. On the road to what town did the Lord reveal himself as risen from the dead to some of his disciples?

a. Capernaum      b. Bethany
c. Jerusalem       d. Emmaus

13. What day is the Sabbath?

a. Thursday    b. Friday
c. Saturday    d. Sunday

14. Where did the angel tell the myrrh-bearing women that Jesus would meet with his disciples?

a. Galilee       b. Capernaum
c. Jerusalem  d. Bethlehem

15. Which Church Father's homily is read during the celebration of the Feast of Feasts, Pascha?

a. St Basil the Great      b. my bishop
c. my parish priest        d. St John Chysostom

The Answer Key is below, please highlight to view:

Answer Key:

1. b     6. d   11. b
2. c     7. b   12. d
3. a     8. c   13. c
4. NO  9. c   14. a
5. b    10. a  15. d

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Holy Pascha: Feast of Feasts

Holy Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, is our celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing Life."   -Paschal Troparion

Resurrection of our Lord

English: Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Arabic: Al Maseeh Qam! Haqan Qam!

Greek: Kristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

Hillbilly: Hey y'all, He got up! Sure done!

Albanian: Kristi Unjhal! Vertet Unjhal!

German: Christus ist auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden!

Spanish: Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!

Italian: Cristo è risorto! È veramente risorto!

French: Le Christ est ressuscité! Vraiment Il est ressuscité!

Irish: Tá Críost éirithe! Go deimhin, tá sé éirithe!

Romanian: Kristos A Inviat! Adeverat a Inviat!

Russian: Kristos Voskrese! Voyistino Voskrese!

Fr James Shadid's Pujwanese: Christos Musen! Eee Koosen Moosen!

We are a "People of the Resurrection;" let us live a life worthy of our Risen Lord!

Be sure to read the words of the Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom, recited at EVERY Paschal Liturgy in EVERY Orthodox Christian Church across the whole world, visit HERE.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Paschal season!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director