St Mary of Cleopas, the Myrrh-bearer

Saint Mary of Cleopas, the Myrrh-bearer, according to church tradition, was the daughter of the righteous Joseph the Betrothed (commemorated 26 December) by his first marriage. When the All-holy Virgin was betrothed to Joseph, she was met in her new home by the still very young Mary. They loved each other like sisters. On returning from Egypt Joseph gave his daughter in marriage to his younger brother Cleopas (and that is why she is called Mary of Cleopas). The son of Mary and Cleopas was the holy Apostle Symeon, one of the Seventy, the second Bishop of Jerusalem (commemorated 27 April). Saint Mary of Cleopas is also commemorated on the third Sunday after Pascha, together with the other myrrh-bearing women.