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:

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

She really is a favorite.

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

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.