Faithfulness to the End, Love Stronger Than Fear: The Lesson of the Myrrh-Bearing Women.

Sermon for the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Today, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Holy Church brings our attention to very special people — the Myrrh-Bearing Women. This day is filled with a quiet but deep joy. We remember those who came first to the tomb of Christ to give Him their last act of love, and who became the first witnesses of His Resurrection. There is a great truth in this: those who remained faithful until the end were the first to see the glory of God.

Who were these women? They were not powerful or important in the eyes of the world. They were simple women, but with great hearts. Their strength was not in power, but in love. When Christ was arrested, when He was crucified, when fear filled the hearts of His disciples and many ran away — these women remained. They stood at the Cross. They did not leave Him.

And most importantly, they were not afraid to go to the tomb. They knew that Roman soldiers were guarding it — cruel and dangerous men.

They knew it was dark and dangerous, and that anything could happen to them. But their love for Christ was stronger than fear. They did not think about themselves — they thought about their Lord. And this love made them stronger than many men.

This is not only a Gospel story — this has always been true in the life of the Church. During times of persecution, women were often the most faithful. I remember when I was in Pochaiv Lavra, I heard a story from the time of communism. The monastery was closed, and the monks were not allowed to leave. They were given no food — they were meant to die of hunger. And then simple women, risking everything, came at night to the monastery walls and lowered food to the monks with ropes. They knew that if they were caught, they could be arrested and sent to prison. But they were not afraid — because they were moved by love for God.

Even today, the monks remember these women with deep gratitude. Many of them have already passed away, and those who remain are old and sick. And the monks, as much as they can, care for them, bring them food, and help them. This is love answering love, faithfulness answering faithfulness

That is why today can truly be called the Christian Women’s Day — not the one the world speaks about, but the one that shows the true greatness of a woman: her faith, her devotion, her sacrificial love. Through these qualities, women preserved the faith even in the hardest times.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, the question is for us: do we have such love? Do we have such faithfulness? Are we ready to stay with Christ not only when it is easy, but also when it is difficult and even frightening? Because faith without faithfulness is not real faith. And love without sacrifice is not real love.

May the example of the Myrrh-Bearing Women teach us true Christian life. May their courage strengthen us. May their love ignite our hearts. And may the Lord help us to remain faithful to Him until the end — no matter the fear, no matter the trials, no matter the difficulties. Amen

 Fr. Ivan Symchyna