(and—incidentally, why do people color Easter eggs?)

According to a lovely tradition, after Jesus rose to heaven and Pentecost arrived, Mary Magdalene—a generous woman of influence—became a joyful messenger. She shared the Good News with anyone who would listen, using her resources to travel and spread the word that Christ had risen. In the Eastern Church, she’s affectionately called “Equal to the Apostles.” The story goes that she bravely visited Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Rome to announce the resurrection, carrying an egg to help explain her message. She used the egg as a symbol: just as a chick breaks free from its shell into new life, Christ emerged from the tomb.  

Holding the egg toward the Emperor, she said for the first time what Christians now say everywhere at Easter: “Christ is risen!”  

The Emperor teased her, saying Jesus was no more risen than the egg in her hand was red. Right away, the egg turned red—a gentle sign from God showing her message was true. The Emperor then listened to her concerns about Pilate sentencing an innocent man and had Pilate removed from Jerusalem. 

So why did the egg turn red? 

In the ancient world, red was a cheerful sign of life—it’s the color of blood, which brings us vitality. Coloring an egg red reminds us that we believe Christ rose from the tomb, and through his blood, he gathered people of every race, language, and nation for God (see Rev. 5:9). His blood is like our own lifeblood. When we share in the Holy Eucharist, we join in his precious blood, which blends with ours to give us strength and new life.  

Why would Mary Magdalene bring an egg to chat with the Roman Emperor? While we can’t be sure these stories are true, they’ve been shared since early Christian times. We do know that handing out red eggs at Easter began among Christians soon after the Apostles, and icons often show St. Mary Magdalene holding one. Plus, the tale fits nicely with older cultural meanings of the red egg.  

Eggs helped people grasp a fresh idea—the resurrection of the dead—and a new faith, Christianity, centered on that first Easter morning.  

As a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, the Easter egg also became a warm reminder of everyone’s rebirth on the Last Day through the salvation Jesus gives us.  

To be honest, I’m not sure where the bunny hopped in!

Kontakion (Tone 4)

When God, transcendent in His nature, came into the world in the flesh, O Mary,

He received you as His true disciple as was meet. 

For you had all your desire and your love set upon Him;

Therefore, you provided many cures for the sick; 

And now, translated into the Heavens, you always pray for the world.