Third Sunday of Pascha (Myrrh-Bearing Women)

On the third Sunday after Pascha, we commemorate the brave women who were with Christ after His death and were the first ones to receive the joyous news about His resurrection.

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” -Matthew 28:5-6

During Jesus' travels in Galilee, many women left their homes to follow and minister to Him with their own possessions. Some of these women even visited Jesus' tomb after His crucifixion, bringing myrrh to anoint His body, and thus they are commemorated as the Myrrh-bearing Women. Some of the known Myrrh-bearers include St. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, Joanna and Salome. The names of the rest of the Myrrh-bearers are unknown.

The Sunday of the Myrrh-bearering Women icon portrays the women who went to anoint Christ's body at the tomb. An angel sits on the stone covering the tomb and points to the empty garments, indicating Christ's resurrection.

We honor these women through the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. During this Sunday and the Paschal period until the day before the Feast of the Ascension, services commence with the singing of the Pascha troparion, "Christ is risen...”