3rd Sunday of Pascha
Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
The tireless women! They would not give sleep to their eyes nor slumber to their eyelids (cf. Ps. 132) until they found their Beloved!
But the men as if dragged their feet: they went to the tomb, saw it empty, and remained in confusion about what it could mean because they did not see Him. But does this mean that they had less love than the women?
No, here was a reasoning love which feared making a mistake due to the high price of this love and its object. When they too saw and touched Him, then each of them, not with his tongue, like Thomas, but with his heart confessed: my Lord and my God (John 20:28), and already nothing could separate them from the Lord.
The myrrh-bearers and the Apostles are an image of the two sides of our life: feeling and reasoning. Without feeling life is not life; without reasoning life is blind, offers little sound fruit and much is wasted. We must combine both.
Let feeling go forward and arouse; let reason determine the time, place, method and generally the practical arrangement of what the heart suggests for us to do. Within, the heart comes first, but in practical application, reason comes first.
When the feelings become educated in discerning good and evil, then perhaps it will be possible to rely on the heart alone. Just as shoots, flowers and fruits grow naturally from a living tree, so does goodness alone emerge from the heart, rationally mingling into the course our life.
St. Theophan the Recluse
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women — a special day dedicated to the courageous and faithful women who were the first to hear the joyous news of Christ’s Resurrection. These women, steadfast in their devotion to the Lord, stand as shining examples of faith, love, and selfless service.
It is no coincidence that the Lord allowed them to be the first witnesses of the Resurrection. Their love, faith, and dedication were so great that they came to the tomb, undeterred by fear or danger. This divine choice reveals that God honors sincere and sacrificial love. It reminds us that whoever follows Christ with a faithful heart will be granted abundant grace.
On this radiant feast, we warmly congratulate all of our sisters in Christ and every Orthodox woman. May the example of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women inspire you to good works, strengthen your faith, and fill your hearts with joy.
Their witness reminds us of the essential role of women in the life of the Church. This day has become, in a way, an Orthodox Christian women’s day — a time when we offer our deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the immeasurable contributions women make to our parish and Church community.
With love and respect, we extend our sincere congratulations on the Feast of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women! May the Lord strengthen you in faith, grant you spiritual courage, and bless your families abundantly.
Please subscribe to and read our Starosta's new Newsletter, Our Sobor Headlines! This is your source for news about our Parish, photos, videos, important updates about our Cathedral, information and announcements, our schedule of services and much more!
