Myrrh-bearing Women's Day – 2025: history, traditions and spiritual significance of the holiday

Myrrh-bearing Women's Day is celebrated annually in spring on the second Sunday after Easter. The holiday commemorates the main followers of Jesus Christ, who were among the first to come to the tomb of the Savior after the crucifixion to anoint his body with aromatic myrrh oil. It is from this word that the name of the celebration comes. The date of the holiday is transitional, in 2025 it falls on May 4. Izvestia tells us about the traditions and omens associated with this day.

The history of Myrrh-bearing Women's Day, celebrated on May 4

On the Day of the Myrrh-bearing wives, the Orthodox Church glorifies all the companions of Christ who followed him to his tomb. But the names of seven of them are most often mentioned in church services: Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus cured of seven demons, Mary Cleopas, the daughter of the righteous Joseph from his first marriage and the mother of the future evangelist Matthew, Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John, Martha and Mary, the sisters of the righteous Lazarus, resurrected by Christ on the fourth day after death..

They also remember Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the housekeeper of King Herod, and the pious Susanna, who, along with other wives, brought myrrh for the funeral ritual. Knowing that guards were posted at the burial site, they all came to perform the proper ceremony, risking being captured. They were the first to learn about the resurrection of Christ and with the words "Christ is Risen" they spread this good news around the neighborhood. Then Jesus appeared to the Apostle Peter and the other disciples.

However, unlike the apostles and 70 other followers, some of whom served the Savior openly, some secretly, fearing persecution, and some who completely betrayed Christ, Jesus did not invite them to follow him. They followed him as their Savior and the Son of God. Despite their different origins and destinies, they all went down in history as an example of Christian love and perseverance. Therefore, their memorial day is set on the same day, while in the Catholic Church there are different dates dedicated to individual myrrh-bearing wives.

In addition, in the Orthodox tradition, Myrrh-bearing Women's Day is considered a holiday for all Christian women. Therefore, it is often called Orthodox Women's Day and it is proposed to make it another public holiday, like International Women's Day on March 8.

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Myrrh-bearing Women's Day – 2025: Church traditions

On this solemn day, festive divine services are held in churches. During the service, excerpts from the Gospel are read, which tell about the great feat of the women who accompanied Christ in life and did not leave him after his physical death. The priests congratulate all parishioners, emphasizing the importance of women's ministry and the role of myrrh-bearing women as the first witnesses of the resurrection of Christ.

Traditionally, on Myrrh-bearing Wives' Day, flowers and small souvenirs are given to all their loved ones: mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, daughters and girlfriends. It is believed that on this day they are all birthday girls. Men are not left out either. They congratulate their wives on the occasion, thanking them for their love and care.

There are a number of prohibitions for believers on the holiday. On this day, it is forbidden to swear, gossip, or engage in heavy physical labor, with the exception of gardening, if necessary. It is especially important to dedicate a festive day to prayer. The icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women at the Holy Sepulchre is worshipped in churches. During home prayer, it can be replaced with any image of the Virgin.

Folk traditions of celebrating Myrrh-bearing Women's Day

In Russia, the holiday was called "babi bratchina" or "Babi week" because it was celebrated only by women. It had its own name in different provinces. Its essence was to choose by lot the woman who was to organize the celebration. The day before, the place of celebration and those responsible for collecting food for the feast were also chosen.

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In the morning, every woman tried to visit the church for mass. After that, a general prayer service was often ordered, and in the afternoon the celebrations began. As a rule, the gatherings were accompanied by songs and dances and ended late at night.

On the same day, it was customary to hold a rite of Christening and nepotism. According to custom, peasant women took off their crosses and hung them on a tree. Then they took turns coming up and taking another woman's cross. After the ceremony, they were considered gossips to each other.

Omens for Myrrh-bearing Women's Day on May 4

According to the signs of this day, they determined what the summer and the future harvest would be like. According to observations, clear weather on the holiday portends a hot summer. A flowering bird cherry speaks of a cold May and a rainy summer. And a warm wind leads to a rich harvest of bread. A fertile year is also promised by a starry sky and profusely blooming trees.

There were also special household signs that allowed us to look into the future. For example, rain is considered a good sign. He promises happy events in a woman's life. In the old days, it was believed that if a girl washed her face with rainwater in the morning, she would be beautiful and desirable all year round. And if a girl smiles at a man passing by, good luck and kindness.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on folk signs and prohibitions on Radonitsa.