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Greek Name Days

1st century

Saint Salome the Myrrhbearer

One of the Myrrhbearers of the Gospel who, according to tradition, was the wife of Zebedee and mother of the Apostles James and John.

3 August

Biography

Salome was, according to tradition, a first cousin of the Virgin Mary and the wife of Zebedee, mother of the apostles James and John. She was among the women who followed Christ and contributed financially to the apostolic group.

The Gospel of Mark names her among the women present at the Crucifixion and later at the empty tomb, where the angel announced the Resurrection to them — which is why she is counted among the Myrrhbearers.

After the founding of the Church in Jerusalem she continued to be noted for her zeal and almsgiving, endured the grief of her son James's beheading by Herod, and died in peace with her hope fixed on Christ.

Sources and further reading