Saint Mary Magdalene was a dear friend of Jesus. She was also a wealthy woman of stature in her commmunity. She was there when Jesus was crucified, while other disciples fled.
Ancient tradition of the Eastern Church says that after Christ’s Ascension Mary traveled to Rome. Due to her high social standing she was admitted to appear before Tiberius Caesar to tell him of how poorly Pilate had administered Jesus’ trial.
To make her point, she picked up an egg from the banquet table, explaining that Jesus came out of the tomb like a chicken breaking out of its shell. Caesar scoffed and said, “...a human could no more rise from the dead than that egg could turn red. ” As he said the words, the egg turned red!
It is believed that this red egg inspired the tradition of coloring Easter eggs.
Saint Mary Magdalene
24 X 30
Paintings by Sally K. Green
Reproduction or use is by permission only - please contact me.
© 2008 Sally K. Green