The Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women: Courage at the Tomb, Faith at the Dawn of Resurrection

On the Third Sunday of Pascha, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, together with the holy and righteous Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. This is a radiant continuation of the joy of the Resurrection, for it reveals to us not only the empty tomb, but also the faithful souls who stood nearest to Christ in His Passion, Burial, and the first proclamation of His glorious Resurrection.
While the Apostles, overcome by fear and confusion, had hidden themselves after the Crucifixion, these holy women remained steadfast. They followed the Lord to Golgotha. They stood at the Cross. They witnessed His burial. And before dawn on the first day of the week, they came bearing myrrh and spices to anoint His most pure Body.
Their love was stronger than fear.
Their devotion was greater than danger.
Their faith overcame despair.
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome, Joanna, Martha, and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, Susanna, and others who had ministered unto Christ during His earthly life. These women had not followed Christ for honor or earthly reward, but because they recognized in Him the Savior of the world.
They came to the tomb not expecting Resurrection, but prepared for mourning. Yet God, Who rewards faithfulness, made them the first witnesses of the greatest event in human history.
The Angel greeted them with words that still resound throughout the ages:
“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
(Luke 24:5–6)
What a divine reward! Those who came to anoint the dead Christ were instead entrusted with proclaiming the Risen Christ.
The Church also remembers the noble Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who showed remarkable courage after the death of the Lord.
Joseph, a secret disciple and a respected member of the council, boldly went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. Nicodemus, who had once come to Christ by night, now came openly.
When many had fled, these men stood firm.
When public opinion turned hostile, they chose truth over reputation.
When the world saw defeat, they saw the hidden glory of God.
Thus, they too became witnesses of faith and examples of holy courage.
The Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women is not merely a historical remembrance—it is a call to every Orthodox Christian.
Are we faithful only when faith is easy?
Do we stand with Christ only when there is no cost?
Or do we remain near Him also at Golgotha, in suffering, in misunderstanding, in silence, and in sacrifice?
The Myrrh-Bearing Women teach us that true discipleship is not loud, but steadfast. Men do not always see it, but it is always seen by God.
Their service was simple: tears, spices, love, and presence.
Yet this humble offering became greater than many sermons.
In our own lives, we are called to bring myrrh to Christ—not in spices, but in repentance, prayer, humility, patience, mercy, and unwavering faith.
Every act of quiet devotion offered to God becomes a fragrant myrrh before His throne.
This feast especially honors the sacred vocation of Orthodox women in the life of the Church. The Church does not measure greatness by worldly standards, but by faithfulness, sacrifice, and holiness.
From the Myrrh-Bearing Women to the holy martyrs, ascetics, mothers, nuns, and confessors throughout the centuries, Orthodox women have preserved the faith through tears, endurance, and deep love for Christ.
They are not forgotten by God.
The Resurrection itself was first announced to women.
This is no small honor.
Today, the world is filled with fear, confusion, betrayal, and spiritual coldness. Christ is still rejected by many. Truth is still inconvenient. Faithfulness is still costly.
But the example of the Myrrh-Bearing Women remains before us.
Let us not be Christians only of words.
Let us be Christians of courage.
Let us approach Christ with love stronger than fear.
Let us remain at the Cross so that we may also stand before the empty tomb.
And then we too shall hear the joyful proclamation:
Christ is Risen!
And in that Resurrection, all sorrow is transformed into hope, all tears into joy, and all faithful love into eternal life.
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!