The History of a Misconception Regarding Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary Magdalene holds a distinct place in ecclesiastical history as the first witness to the Resurrection of the Lord and the “Apostle to the Apostles.” However, for centuries, her persona was linked to a misinterpretation, primarily in the West, where she was mistakenly identified with the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with myrrh. This confusion serves as a characteristic example of how an inaccurate interpretation can become entrenched in the consciousness of the faithful, overshadowing the true image of a person whom the Church honors as equal to the Apostles.

The root of this misconception is found in a homily by Saint Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome, delivered to his clergy in the 6th century. In an effort to add a moral dimension to his sermon, Saint Gregory arbitrarily connected three different figures from the Gospels: Mary Magdalene, the anonymous sinful woman who anointed the Lord’s feet (Luke 7:37-50), and Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:3).

Pope Gregory writes characteristically: “This woman, whom Luke calls Mary, we believe to be the Mary from whom Mark testifies that seven demons were cast out. And what is signified by the seven demons? All…