St. John the Myrrh-bearer (an icon, a prayer, interesting facts from life will be presented in this article) is a unique person, who is not mentioned as often as, for example, about St. Mary Magdalene. However, this holy woman has left everything to be closer to Jesus Christ and follow Him. After the Savior suffered Death on the Cross, John was among those who could personally anoint the Body of Christ with the world. Angels themselves informed her that her Savior would soon be resurrected.
The Day of John the Myrrh Bearing falls on June 27th. The Saint is also revered on April 17th.
Unknown saint
About St. John the Myrrh-bearer only Luke mentions. For some unknown reason, the evangelists no longer mention John. Myrrh-bearing woman has a wonderful name, which means "Grace of God" or "God shed mercy." This selfless woman is not too glorified, but not reproached, as, for example, was the mother of the Zavedeevs, who only wished that her sons were always by the side of Jesus Christ, who was on the Cross.
Prejudice and Prejudice
The Orthodox world speaks of some prejudices associated with the John the Righteous, more precisely with her name. Many believe that girls have problems in life precisely because of him, since it is believed that this name is purely masculine. Some Christians are deeply convinced that the name of John is not Orthodox at all. Many simply incredulously ask again when they find out that this name belongs to Mironositse.
From this ancient Jewish name come the famous Slavic names of Jan, Yanechka, Yanka. Unfortunately, many Yans have to choose a different name at baptism, since almost no one associates this name with the name of John, from which it comes.
The Life of John the Myrrh Bearing
John was not immediately the Myrrh-bearing woman. Once it was part of a respectable society and had a fairly high social status. She had practically no contact with the poor poor people who were near Jesus Christ and followed Him. She did not communicate with women who were abandoned by their husbands and who were forced to go to the porch.
John successfully married Husu, who served at the court of the king. John was considered a real court lady. She had everything - clothes, food, and a roof over her head. She had communication with friends and prayer. The only son of John happily grew up to the joy of his parents.
But, unfortunately, grief did not pass by the house of John. Her son was seriously ill. It was in Asia, where a particularly serious illness was raging. The young man was near death. Parents tried all available methods of healing, but nothing helped. Then the father decided to turn to the passing Preacher. Husa could not know that that person was Jesus Christ himself. The courtier did not understand why the Forerunner did not want to go with him to the palace. This is a special honor to be invited to the palace, Husa thought.
In every way he tried to lure Jesus into the palace so that he would heal his son. But in response I heard these words: "Faith will never awaken in you unless you see a miracle or a sign." The Savior nevertheless healed the son of Husa, despite the fact that it was in this palace that the only close friend of Christ, John the Baptist, was killed. According to legend, it was John who hid the severed head of the Baptist in a secret place in the palace in order to save the body of the Prophet from abuse. It is said that at night she put her head in a vessel and carried it to the Mount of Olives.
Husa felt shame, but he could not understand why these feelings overwhelmed him. He walked home, experiencing great excitement. John sent servants to tell Huza the good news that his son had fully recovered.
After some time, the boy’s parents realized that they had turned to Jesus Christ himself for help. This news reached King Herod. The courtiers recalled that John often questioned the Baptist.
Evil Rock or God's Blessing
King Herod was angry. Husa was afraid for his position and for his life. Therefore, he decided to immediately divorce his wife and send her home so that the king’s anger would not harm him. In those days, divorce was commonplace. Any reason, even the most insignificant, could lead to a divorce. It was difficult for the woman. Even having a high status, she instantly lost everything after a divorce. If her parents were still alive, she could return to them.
Huza had a good example of how you can, having kicked out your wife, marry a younger and more beautiful one. Before his eyes, King Herod himself did this. Rumor has it that John left herself to avoid disaster.
From maids of honor to saints
But, one way or another, the woman was among the poor women who had a dubious past, but strictly followed Christ. She came to the Savior because He healed her son. This is the only refuge she has left. John was immensely grateful to Christ. She had no one else to go to. She did not ask the Savior for anything. I just listened to him humbly and listened to everything that was awakened in her soul from his words. Now John was among the orphans, the poor and the abandoned, who with genuine attention asked the Preacher.
In her past life, she accepted the luxury and well-being of her family as God's blessing. Now, John saw that in fact the Lord is with the poor and the unfortunate. From this rethinking, she became joyful, as she realized that she had not lost anything, but, on the contrary, gained a lot. All this time, the woman was sure that the Lord, who was abandoned and divorced, was not needed by the Lord, that He was angry with her and would never let her into his kingdom. But Jesus tirelessly repeated that God does not care about magnificent palaces.
John was immediately accepted on a new Wednesday. No one gloated her and was not happy that she had lost everything. No one looked at her with malice or envy, did not blame her for her past wealth. They immediately offered her bread and took care of her peace of mind.
Life in the service of others
Then John decided to sell all her valuables, which she had been saving for a rainy day. Now her dream has come true, she could serve Jesus, feed the hungry beggars who followed the Savior.
Having given everything, John mixed up with a crowd of poor women and no one except Luke even noticed her. Luke always felt sorry for the unfortunate women for their difficult fate.
Jesus always answered John, because he knew the whole depth of her heart and understood her sorrow, as he understood the sorrow of everyone who turned to Him.
Luke told John that she would soon expect unexpected joy and great salvation, because the Lord is very merciful and does not tolerate when someone is tormented. Luke often comforted John so that she would not grieve.
The mother of Jesus, Mary, took care of the future Myrrh-bearing woman. She treated her like a daughter who was in trouble, grieved with John about her abandoned son and was glad that he could still be healed, and again grieved that he could no longer be with his mother.
How does John the Myrrh bearer help?
Undoubtedly, Righteous John was and is an approximate companion of the Lord. As you know, now we can appeal to the Creator through His companions. God may not always be able to hear our prayers, but his faithful servants will surely give him all our requests. In many troubles, John the Myrrh bearer can help. The icon of this saint is the main refuge of all who need maternal care, warmth and protection from injustice. Righteous John shows special favor to single mothers, since she herself lost her child and was abandoned by her husband.
Day of Remembrance
It is believed that a strong connection with the companions of the Lord can be felt in the days of their veneration. John the Myrrh-bearing woman, whose nameday falls on the Resurrection of all myrrh-bearing women (April 17) and on June 27, favors all who sincerely ask her for help in any difficulties.