T. Riemenschneider, The
Assumption of Mary Magdalene, c. 1490-1492, limewood. Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich ■ Mary
Magdalene (original Greek Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή),[2] or Mary of
Magdala and sometimes The Magdalene has been called the second-most important
woman in the New Testament after Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary Magdalene
traveled with Jesus as one of his followers. She was present at Jesus' two most
important moments: the crucifixion and the resurrection. Within the four
Gospels, the oldest historical record mentioning her name, she is named at
least 12 times, more than most of the apostles. The Gospel references describe
her as courageous, brave enough to stand by Jesus in his hours of suffering,
death and beyond. In the New Testament, Jesus cleansed her of "seven
demons",[Lk. 8:2] [Mk. 16:9]. When Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene was
there supporting him in his final terrifying moments and mourning his death.
She stayed with him at the cross after the male disciples, except John the
Beloved, had fled. She was at his burial, and she is the only person to be
listed in all four Gospels as first to realize that Jesus had risen and to
testify to that central teaching of faith. Specifically name her as the first
person to see Jesus after his Resurrection. She was there at the
"beginning of a movement that was going to transform the West". She
was the "Apostle to the Apostles", an honorific that fourth-century
orthodox theologian Augustine gave her and that others earlier had possibly
conferred on her. St. Mary Magdalene is considered by the Catholic, Orthodox,
Anglican, and Lutheran churches to be a saint, with a feast day of July 22. The
Eastern Orthodox churches also commemorate her on the Sunday of the
Myrrhbearers, the Orthodox equivalent of the Western Three Marys ■
