May 4 — Myrrh-bearing Women's Day: what a holiday

Two weeks after Easter, the Orthodox Church celebrates Myrrh-Bearing Women's Day, a holiday dedicated to all Christian women. It was erected in memory of the disciples of Jesus who followed him during his sermons and became the first witnesses of the Resurrection of the Lord. Izvestia tells about the meaning and traditions of this celebration.

What is the church holiday on May 4th?

Myrrh-bearing Women's Day refers to transitional church celebrations. It is celebrated on the second Sunday after Easter. In 2025, the holiday falls on May 4th.

Myrrh-bearing Women's Day in 2025: What kind of holiday is this

Myrrh-bearing wives were women who, during the lifetime of Christ, believed in him and decided to devote themselves to the service of the Savior. They followed him during his sermons, gave him overnight accommodations in their homes, and prepared food for the Son of God and the apostles. During the most difficult times, when Jesus suffered on the cross, these women stayed by his side, supporting and comforting their teacher and the Mother of God. They did not leave him even after his death, accompanying the body of Christ to the tomb.

From the Gospel, we know several names of myrrh-bearing wives — Mary Magdalene, Mary Cleopas, Salome, Joanna, Susanna, Martha and Mary — the sisters of Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus on the fourth day after his death. However, theologians believe that there were many more of them. The followers of Christ included poor and rich girls, single, widowed and married, childless and mothers of large families. All of them decided to leave their former lives in order to embark on the path of selfless service to the Lord.

The word "myrrh-bearers" comes from the phrase "myrrh-bearers." It was the name of an expensive aromatic oil that was used in religious services and funeral rituals. According to the ancient Jewish custom, they should have lubricated the body of the deceased.

On the third day after Christ's crucifixion, Mary Magdalene, Mary Cleopas, and the sisters of Lazarus went to Christ's tomb to anoint his body with myrrh. It was a brave act, because after Jesus' death, the king ordered the guards to guard his burial place and not let any of his followers in. The women could have been seriously injured, as the warriors had the right to use their weapons. But this did not stop the disciples of the Savior, who wanted to pay homage to the teacher.

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However, when the myrrh-bearers came to the cave where the body of the Son of God was located, they saw that the stone covering the entrance to it had been rolled away, and the coffin was empty. At that moment, an angel in fiery white robes appeared to them and informed them about the Resurrection of the Lord. Overjoyed by this news, the women hurried to the apostles to tell them about the miracle. On the way, Jesus himself appeared before them and asked them to tell his disciples that he would be waiting for them in Galilee.

When Mary Magdalene came to the apostles, she uttered the cherished words: "Christ is risen!" — thus marking the beginning of the traditional Easter greeting. It was also the world's first sermon on the Resurrection.

The role of myrrh-bearing women in Christian culture is very high. Their faithfulness and selfless love serve as an example for all believers. These women were not called to the ministry, as happened with the apostles, they themselves decided to follow Christ and did not leave him until the very last minute. Therefore, they were honored to be the first to see the risen Savior and to spread the news of this miracle to the world.

Subsequently, the myrrh-bearers preached about Christ along with his closest followers. Mary Magdalene even received the title of equal-to-the-apostles, that is, equal to the apostles in her deeds. She spread the gospel teaching in Asia Minor and Italy. In addition, half of the 20th chapter of the Gospel of John was written from her words.

Traditions of the Myrrh-Bearing Women's Day holiday

Since ancient times, the Orthodox Church has celebrated Myrrh-bearing Women's Day as a women's holiday. After the solemn services, it was customary to congratulate mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and other women. It was believed that on this day they were all birthday girls. Men gave their loved ones bouquets of spring flowers and said kind words to them. Some believers still observe these traditions, celebrating a church holiday instead of International Women's Day.

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In 2025, the day falls on April 29th.

In Russia, the Day of myrrh-bearing women was called Babi week, or babi patrimony. This holiday was celebrated only by women, men were not allowed to prepare even as assistants. On the eve of the celebration, food was collected from all the houses for the feast and brought to the house where the celebration would take place. During the general gatherings, the young girls chose their godmother, a friend who would become the godmother of their unborn child.

Earlier, Izvestia told how Orthodox believers celebrate Radonitsa and what not to do on this day.