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Top Online Tributes to Mary Magdalene on her Feast Day

Around the world on July 22, millions of Christians and especially Catholics and Orthodox are celebrating the feast day of Mary Magdalene.

Sometimes called “the other Mary” to separate her from the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene was cured of seven demons by Jesus and followed him around Galilee as he preached, financially supported his ministry and was the first apostle of Jesus. She witnessed his crucifixion, was the first person Jesus appeared to after his resurrection and the first to tell others about the miracle, the central point of the Christian faith. 

Mary Magdalene has attracted a cult-like fan following over the centuries, among intrigued secular audiences as well as Christians across the political spectrum inspired by her loyal devotion to Jesus. Some incorrectly allege she was a prostitute. Some think her intimacy with Jesus extended to kissing. The claims aren’t too surprising since much of Mary’s personal life is pieced together from extra-Biblical accounts, and the early church disputed many accounts as heresy or unfounded. Reinventions of Mary have even played prominent roles in church debates throughout the centuries, like the celibacy of clergy.   

Today, many point to Mary Magdalene’s Biblical account as proof that Jesus was a feminist and egalitarian, and use her story to push for women to join all-male clergies in some denominations from Catholicism to certain evangelical churches. In Jerusalem at that time, a woman’s testimony alone didn’t even count in court. The gospel authors knew this and recorded Mary’s eyewitness story anyway, lending some credibility that the story is a historical rather than fictitious account. 

Here are Religion Unplugged’s favorite tweet tributes to the saint that show her wide appeal:

Today we celebrate the feast day of St Mary Magdalene.

Mary was among those present at the crucifixion of Jesus and was the first to witness his resurrection. She is depicted here on our High Altar screen in a mosaic designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. pic.twitter.com/3lnfDiePBs

— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) July 22, 2020

On July 22, we commemorate Saint Mary Magdalene, the Myrrh-bearer and Equal to the Apostles.https://t.co/cNDWGvzuCO pic.twitter.com/AduiBZ3Djg

— Greek Orthodox Arch (@goarch) July 22, 2020

Mary Magdalene has inspired thousands of art pieces through the centuries.

Alexander Ivanov - Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection (1835) pic.twitter.com/wmY3XGG3bs

— Antre Fascinante (@DelicieusAurore) July 22, 2020

In the history of art, Mary Magdalene is almost always depicted on her knees in shame & submission.

This sculpture was commissioned by @r_nyc_h to show Mary Magdalene doing what she *actually* did: Standing up boldly and proclaiming the Resurrection. pic.twitter.com/ZEtejvBXda

— Jamie L. Manson (@jamielmanson) July 22, 2020

Noli Me Tangere by Jan van Scorel, 1548-1554. Mary Magdalene meets the resurrected Jesus, who is depicted dressed as a gardener. Find out more about this painting in the object spotlight video: https://t.co/0o819AufgF#FeastDay pic.twitter.com/VflvP4s2cH

— Bham Museums Images (@BMAGimages) July 22, 2020

Happy Feast of Mary Magdalene! Here are a few of my favorite images of one of my favorite saints! I hope next year to lead an art and faith pilgrimage to Vézelay, the site of her burial in France. (Anyone who claims she is under the pyramid at the Louvre will be blocked) pic.twitter.com/7IhnXegDRy

— Elizabeth Lev (@lizlevrome) July 22, 2020

We hope you go on that pilgrimage Elizabeth! Til then, here’s what her burial site looks like:

Today is the feast day of Mary Magdalene. This is said to be her skull, which is kept in a glass dome in a crypt outside Provence:
"The skull of Mary Magdalene rests in the crypt of the Basilique Sainte Marie Madeleine, a massive Gothic basilica whose construction began in 1295." pic.twitter.com/rxKAJQ2jaT

— Mark Rees (@reviewwales) July 22, 2020

To many, Mary represents the sinner with a penitent heart.

“[Mary Magdalene] stood weeping by the empty tomb with the sole desire to know where they had taken her Lord. She encounters him and only recognizes him when he calls her by name. If we seek the Lord with a simple and sincere mind, we too will find him.” Benedict XVI. pic.twitter.com/7EnODK7QCr

— Fr Mark Elliott Smith (@MarkElliottSmi1) July 22, 2020

You know something’s up when someone with “antifa” in their Twitter bio and the Catholic Church revere the same person.

A woman's testimony was considered "unreliable" in Biblical times.

Having Mary Magdalene as the First Witness of the Resurrection proved women could be witnesses and religious leaders.

This is significant because it means Jesus Christ was a feminist and an egalitarian. pic.twitter.com/rFkFjhqIz0

— 🔥 ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛᴀʀʏ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴᴛɪꜰᴀ 🔥 (@realmegslay) July 22, 2020

Today is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Penitent, who was the first to see the Risen Christ, and announce His Resurrection. Patron saint of converts, women, penitents, contemplation and against sexual temptation.
Ora pro nobis pic.twitter.com/P2ZAiIxAYo

— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) July 22, 2020

Mary is so popular that after the 2018 film dramatizing her life, tourism boomed in her Israeli hometown. Don’t miss our travel story on how a Mexican Catholic order has built a $100 million pilgrimage in Magdala.

Mary Magdalene's hometown of Magdala has only recently been uncovered and excavated by archaeologists. Today, a remarkable modern church on the site (on the shore of the Sea of Galilee) honours her memory; a model of an ancient Galilean fishing boat surrounds the altar. pic.twitter.com/XEG8pqNtxn

— SMCDSB Faith Matters (@SMCDSB_Faith) July 22, 2020

Father James Martin, a Jesuit Catholic priest in the U.S, is best known for his work building bridges between the church and LGBTQ community.

Gospel: Facts about St. Mary Magdalene on her Feast:
1) She never abandoned Jesus, as most other disciples did.
2) In John's Gospel it is to her that the Risen Christ appears first.
3) In the time between the Risen One appearing to her and her proclaiming the Resurrection... pic.twitter.com/BJyYsUcJjE

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) July 22, 2020

...to the other disciples, Mary Magdalene was the church on earth, for only to her had been revealed the full Paschal Mystery.
4) She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles."
5) She was NOT a prostitute.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) July 22, 2020

She really is a favorite.

Feast of Mary Magdalene who is legit my favourite biblical babe.

Patriarchy has fucked her over but we reclaim her.

She most likely wasn’t a sex worker but let’s remember sex workers today anyway, that their rights are human rights and that sex work is work. pic.twitter.com/BS2Q0HWuKf

— Emily Linka ♿️🏳️‍🌈 (@emilylinka) July 22, 2020

Ah the feast of St. Mary Magdalene when every crackpot amateur theologian & historian, usually with that magic 🌈 next to their name, gives their hot takes on the Holy Penitent

Forgive the errors they spread in your name, Ora pro nobis pic.twitter.com/RgTNEK9Cis

— Tetrarchy⚜✝️ (@CorTraditionis) July 22, 2020

Considering how many of us have neglected our hair for many months of #QuarantineLife, this depiction of Mary is highly relatable.

Mary Magdalene is trending because it's her feast day, so let's remember the relatable moment when she came out of isolation in a desert cave, covered in several years' worth of bad hair day, and flights of angels carried her to the nearest salon for a full wax and blow dry. pic.twitter.com/1WB3O1r2rC

— RedScharlach (@redfacts) July 22, 2020

Meagan Clark is the managing editor of Religion Unplugged. She previously reported retail and economic news for International Business Times, and human rights and religion stories from India for several outlets like Indian Express, the Wire and Scroll.in. Follow her on Twitter @MeaganKay.

News, North AmericaMeagan SaliashviliJuly 22, 2020Mary Magdalene, feast day, Catholic saints, Mary and Jesus, Catholic Twitter, Twitter, women, feminism, patriarchy, Primary Feature, Secondary FeatureComment
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