The Armenian Life of Mary Magdalene

In the recensions of the Armenian Synaxarion of Ter-Israyel Khach‘ets‘i (13th century), Kirakos Arevelts‘i/Gandzakets‘i (13th century) and Grigor Anavarzets‘i (13th–14th century), Mary Magdalene is commemorated on 23 July along with St. Phocas and Step‘anos of Syunik‘, an 8th-century Armenian translator and commentator. In Grigor Tserents‘ Khlat‘ets‘i's Synaxarion (14th–15th century) she is commemorated on 16 July alongside Saints Patermutius, Coprius and Alexander the Soldier. In the pre-Tserents‘ recensions Mary's life mainly corresponds to the text of the Armenian translation of the Greek Synaxarion by Hovsep‘ Vardapet of Constantinople in 991–992, with minor variations: Mary is presented as the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons, and who came to the tomb to anoint His body, and who was the first to witness the resurrection. In the Tserents‘ recension, however, she is identified as the repentant prostitute, who anointed Jesus' feet. Mary's Life in Grigor Anavarzets‘i's Synaxarion is considerably longer and different; in the title, Mary is called 'a female apostle' (առաքելուհի), a word formed by adding the feminine suffix -uhi (-ուհի) to the word 'apostle'. This paper will discuss the life of Mary Magdalene in various recensions of the Armenian Synaxarion. It will also touch upon the apocryphal text entitled "The Story and Miracle of Saint Mary Magdalene", which is included in Homiletic manuscripts. Therefore, the paper will refer to some medieval Armenian Gospel commentaries to examine how the commentators depict Mary, thus attempting to outline the Armenian portrayal of Mary Magdalene.