 The Myrrhbearers at the Tomb -Matthew 28: 5-6 The Myrrhbearing Women were the first to discover the Resurrection of Christ. They arrived at the new tomb wondering who would roll the large stone away from the entrance for them. Upon their arrival, they were taken aback by the presence of an angel of the Lord who spoke the aforementioned words. The Orthodox Church remembers the Myrrhbearers on the second Sunday after Easter. Through this icon, the story of the Resurrection is told directly from the Gospel. The cave is the burial place of Jesus. The angel is the central figure, telling the women the Christ has Risen and that they are to go and tell the disciples of this immediately. The women are shown in a state of amazement, carrying their myrrh pots. The stone is gone from the entrance of the tomb, and an empty casket shows the burial linens, Christ's human body conspicuous by its absence. The number and identity of the Angels present and the Myrrhbearing women who visited Christ's tomb is open to debate. The Gospels have conflicting opinions on the subject. For example, Matthew tells that Mary Magdalene met an angel of the Lord. Mark states that not only was Mary Magdalene present, but with her were Salome and Mary, the mother of James, and that a young man clothed in a long white robe spoke to them. Luke mentions "the women who had come with Him from Galilee... and certain other women with them" specifically naming Joanna, among others, and two men in shining garments. Finally, John reports that Mary Magdalene initially discovered the empty tomb and thought that Jesus' body was stolen. Only later, in the garden, did two angels in white appear to her, and shortly thereafter, Christ Himself appeared to her. Regardless of the identity of the women and angels present, this icon is a constant reminder of the message of the Risen Lord that the Myrrhbearers carried from the angels to the disciples.  Close Window |