Men and women are equal in Christ and equally called to holiness.
Traditionally, the Romanian Orthodox Church honors Christian women on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women. Still, during a patronal feast of the Romanian community in Turkey, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew suggested that July could also be designated as a Month of Holy Women.
Month of the Holy Women
“We could call July the Month of Holy Women, whose lives show us how much Christian women can achieve when their hearts are filled with warmth, living faith in Christ, and love for their neighbor,” said Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.
Indeed, July draws attention with its extensive list of holy women mentioned in the Orthodox calendar. Among them are Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Veronica, Great Martyr Marina, Saint Anne, the mother of the Theotokos, and Saint Paraskevi of Rome, the protectress of the Romanian community in Turkey.
How to Celebrate the Month of Holy Women
This abundance of female saints provides a unique opportunity for all women to reflect on the lives of those who transcended human frailty and acquired Christian virtues. Holy women are examples of faith, courage, and devotion, serving as spiritual models for today’s women.
This month, attending services and reading akathists or other prayers dedicated to holy women can bring blessings and encouragement regarding women’s role in contemporary society and the Church in particular.
A month dedicated to holy women can be seen as an opportunity for the entire ecclesiastical community to highlight the Church’s appreciation for women.
“The vocation of Christian women today is to witness the faith in Christ crucified and risen, to give and protect life, to promote merciful love towards neighbors, and to bring peace and communion through their presence and work in the Church and society,” emphasized His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
Holy Women Celebrated in July
July 4: Venerable Martha
July 6: Martyr Lucia
July 7: Great Martyr Kyriaki
July 8: Martyr Theodosia
July 11: Saint Olga, Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Russia
July 11: Great Martyr Euphemia
July 12: Saint Veronica
July 13: Venerable Sara
July 15: Martyr Julitta
July 16: Martyr Julia
July 17: Great Martyr Marina
July 19: Venerable Macrina, sister of Saint Basil the Great
July 22: Holy Myrrh-Bearer Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene
July 22: Martyr Marcella
July 23: Martyr Valeria
July 24: Martyr Christina
July 25: Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos
July 25: Saints Olympiada and Eupraxia
July 26: Virgin Martyr Paraskevi of Rome
July 29: Martyr Theodota
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
Source: basilica.ro
