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The Art of Myrrhbearing: Encountering Christ Through Serving Others
Each year after Pascha, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Holy Myrrhbearers, who cared for Jesus’ body after He was crucified. But myrrhbearing has a broader definition; it can serve as a metaphor for the practical, incarnate love to which Christ calls His followers. In The Art of Myrrhbearing, author Elissa Bjeletich Davis explores the lives of grace-filled, myrrhbearing saints in Scripture and throughout the life of the Church, offering questions for reflection in each chapter. By following the lead of compassionate saints such as Joseph of Arimathea and Olga of Alaska, we can learn to embrace a simple and profound way of life in ever-deepening communion with Christ and with others.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
43 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Elissa Bjeletich Davis
8 books2 followersThis author is also published under Elissa D. Bjeletich.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 2, 2025
I received a review copy of The Art of Myrrhbearing and was asked to give my honest review of it. I am so grateful to have read this book right now - it has been both informational and formational, reviving my weary soul at the end of a busy season of life.
I knew about the Myrrhbearers already and had a surface level intellectual knowledge that all service done in the name of Christ is a kind of myrrh-bearing action to which we are called. This book shares the stories of the individually named myrrh bearers within the gospel and then traces their path within the Gospels. Each story ends with reflection questions that are perfect for individual consideration or discussion with an intimate group of friends with whom one can be vulnerable and open.
Part Three resonated with me the most deeply at this moment; the author does a beautiful job of recounting tales of some of our beloved saints - through the lens of their own experiences of being healed and sharing this healing myrrh with others. In her recounting of their stories, they became new to me and gave me deeper ways to reflect on and be challenged by their examples. I especially appreciate the range of saints that she included in this section!
As the blurb on the back cover reads, “by following the lead of compassionate saints…we can learn to embrace a simple and profound way of life in ever-deepening communion with Christ and with others.” This revived my soul as I read the examples of saints in Part Three. Such nourishment! Such encouragement! Such joy!
While firmly grounded in Orthodox Christian theology and practice, I could also see reading this with a group of friends from across some denominational lines; the call to encounter Christ through serving others is a basic Christian principle we all share.
I knew about the Myrrhbearers already and had a surface level intellectual knowledge that all service done in the name of Christ is a kind of myrrh-bearing action to which we are called. This book shares the stories of the individually named myrrh bearers within the gospel and then traces their path within the Gospels. Each story ends with reflection questions that are perfect for individual consideration or discussion with an intimate group of friends with whom one can be vulnerable and open.
Part Three resonated with me the most deeply at this moment; the author does a beautiful job of recounting tales of some of our beloved saints - through the lens of their own experiences of being healed and sharing this healing myrrh with others. In her recounting of their stories, they became new to me and gave me deeper ways to reflect on and be challenged by their examples. I especially appreciate the range of saints that she included in this section!
As the blurb on the back cover reads, “by following the lead of compassionate saints…we can learn to embrace a simple and profound way of life in ever-deepening communion with Christ and with others.” This revived my soul as I read the examples of saints in Part Three. Such nourishment! Such encouragement! Such joy!
While firmly grounded in Orthodox Christian theology and practice, I could also see reading this with a group of friends from across some denominational lines; the call to encounter Christ through serving others is a basic Christian principle we all share.
August 11, 2025
As Christians, we strive to come closer to Jesus during our time on earth. In The Art of Myrrhbearing by Elissa Bjeletich Davis, the author details how this can and has been done through serving others. “When we enter into communion with one another serving humbly and in selfless love, we find God is there inside every one of us…”
The previous reviews of The Art of Myrrhbearing do an excellent job of describing the beauty and structure of this book. This book is a well researched and analyzed look at both biblical myrrh bearers as well as myrrh bearers found among the saints and ascetics of the Christian faith. Davis introduces us to the biblical myrrh bearers, she then follows them through scripture showing how their "actions serve as the basic framework of our Christian faith and beliefs" of caring for others, and she concludes by describing how individual saints have made the practice of serving others the center of their lives, thus drawing them closer to Christ.
Although all that is included in The Art of Myrrhbearing is clear and engaging, I am left wanting more. After finishing the book and learning of the many amazing examples of myrrh bearers in the Bible and throughout Christian history, I felt I needed a more in depth look at how I could put their examples into practice in my own life. The final chapter of the book heads in the direction of the “more” that I crave. In this chapter, Davis touches on what characteristics made each saint a myrrh bearer. For example, “a mindset that encourages mercy” and the “importance of giving wanting nothing in return” were both included in this final chapter. But how do I put that into practice so that I can be a myrrh bearer? How does one work to develop a mindset that encourages mercy? What does it take to develop the trust to give without wanting anything in return?
The Art of Myrrhbearing gave many examples of amazing love and compassion and for those reasons alone it is a beautiful resource. Since I do think it would benefit readers if there were concrete descriptions of how to weave the lessons of the saints into our own lives, this could be a good source from which to form a discussion / book group with others.
The previous reviews of The Art of Myrrhbearing do an excellent job of describing the beauty and structure of this book. This book is a well researched and analyzed look at both biblical myrrh bearers as well as myrrh bearers found among the saints and ascetics of the Christian faith. Davis introduces us to the biblical myrrh bearers, she then follows them through scripture showing how their "actions serve as the basic framework of our Christian faith and beliefs" of caring for others, and she concludes by describing how individual saints have made the practice of serving others the center of their lives, thus drawing them closer to Christ.
Although all that is included in The Art of Myrrhbearing is clear and engaging, I am left wanting more. After finishing the book and learning of the many amazing examples of myrrh bearers in the Bible and throughout Christian history, I felt I needed a more in depth look at how I could put their examples into practice in my own life. The final chapter of the book heads in the direction of the “more” that I crave. In this chapter, Davis touches on what characteristics made each saint a myrrh bearer. For example, “a mindset that encourages mercy” and the “importance of giving wanting nothing in return” were both included in this final chapter. But how do I put that into practice so that I can be a myrrh bearer? How does one work to develop a mindset that encourages mercy? What does it take to develop the trust to give without wanting anything in return?
The Art of Myrrhbearing gave many examples of amazing love and compassion and for those reasons alone it is a beautiful resource. Since I do think it would benefit readers if there were concrete descriptions of how to weave the lessons of the saints into our own lives, this could be a good source from which to form a discussion / book group with others.
August 5, 2025
The Art of Myrrhbearing by Elissa Bjeletich Davis is a deeply moving, grace-filled invitation to live as a healing presence in the world. Drawing on the lives of the Myrrhbearing Women of the Gospels and other saints throughout Orthodox Christian tradition, Davis gently calls readers into a life of love, forgiveness, and courageous presence in the face of suffering.
With a rare combination of theological insight, scriptural reflection, and personal narrative, Davis explores what it means to bear “myrrh”—to carry Christ’s love and compassion into places marked by grief, pain, and fear. Themes such as vulnerability, attentiveness, silence, and service form the structure of the book, offering both depth and accessibility. Davis doesn’t shy away from the raw complexity of suffering. Instead, she models a healing path that is slow, quiet, and real—rooted not in sentimentality but in the difficult, beautiful work of presence.
What stands out most is her call to “get our hands dirty.” Whether through caregiving, feeding the hungry, praying for the hurting, or simply walking alongside those who are broken, Davis reminds us that true healing is born in service. One particularly striking insight is the idea that we have the power to either bind others with the memory of their sins—or to help loosen those wrappings through love, by refusing to rehearse old hurts. In this way, myrrhbearing becomes an act of inner freedom and forgiveness as much as outward care.
Each chapter feels like sitting with a wise and compassionate friend—one who has suffered and still chooses grace. Davis’s writing invites not just reading, but reflection, prayer, and action. The stories of saints and ordinary people alike serve as beacons, encouraging us to bear our own small jar of myrrh in the everyday moments of life.
This book is a treasure for Orthodox Christian women, church groups, caregivers, and anyone longing to grow in mercy, resilience, and Christ-like love. Highly recommended for personal reflection, group study, or anyone seeking to become more fully present to the suffering of the world—without being overcome by it.
With a rare combination of theological insight, scriptural reflection, and personal narrative, Davis explores what it means to bear “myrrh”—to carry Christ’s love and compassion into places marked by grief, pain, and fear. Themes such as vulnerability, attentiveness, silence, and service form the structure of the book, offering both depth and accessibility. Davis doesn’t shy away from the raw complexity of suffering. Instead, she models a healing path that is slow, quiet, and real—rooted not in sentimentality but in the difficult, beautiful work of presence.
What stands out most is her call to “get our hands dirty.” Whether through caregiving, feeding the hungry, praying for the hurting, or simply walking alongside those who are broken, Davis reminds us that true healing is born in service. One particularly striking insight is the idea that we have the power to either bind others with the memory of their sins—or to help loosen those wrappings through love, by refusing to rehearse old hurts. In this way, myrrhbearing becomes an act of inner freedom and forgiveness as much as outward care.
Each chapter feels like sitting with a wise and compassionate friend—one who has suffered and still chooses grace. Davis’s writing invites not just reading, but reflection, prayer, and action. The stories of saints and ordinary people alike serve as beacons, encouraging us to bear our own small jar of myrrh in the everyday moments of life.
This book is a treasure for Orthodox Christian women, church groups, caregivers, and anyone longing to grow in mercy, resilience, and Christ-like love. Highly recommended for personal reflection, group study, or anyone seeking to become more fully present to the suffering of the world—without being overcome by it.
August 11, 2025
The Art of Myrrhbearing by Elissa Bjeletich Davis is an important reminder that the true mark of a Christian is not in outward appearances of holiness but in daily acts of love, sacrifice, and placing the needs of others before one’s own.
The book is divided into three parts: the first part discusses the lives of those who tended to Christ’s body at His death, the second part delves deeper into these myrrhbearers’ lives, and the third part discusses what myrrhbearing looks like in practice - through the lives of the saints.
Each chapter is fairly short, and Elissa provides questions for reflection and meditation after each chapter. The book both lends itself well for daily reading without being overwhelmed with long chapters and is set up well for those who seek to use the book for a discussion group.
While parts one and two of the book opened my eyes to aspects of the myrrhbearers that I never considered before, part three of the book was easily my favorite. Elissa narrates the lives of a number of saints who truly made myrrhbearing the center of their lives through love and sacrifice. I was so enthralled by the stories that I was sincerely sad when the book came to an end, wishing for just a few more stories of incredible saints who lived out the call of Christ so clearly. Something beautiful about part three is that the saints included practiced myrrhbearing in completely different ways - yet each service was acceptable before God and made each person mentioned worthy of sainthood.
I would recommend this book for those who want to learn more about the lives of those who tended to the body of Christ as well as to those who sincerely desire to live out a Christian life - not by name, but by deed.
The book is divided into three parts: the first part discusses the lives of those who tended to Christ’s body at His death, the second part delves deeper into these myrrhbearers’ lives, and the third part discusses what myrrhbearing looks like in practice - through the lives of the saints.
Each chapter is fairly short, and Elissa provides questions for reflection and meditation after each chapter. The book both lends itself well for daily reading without being overwhelmed with long chapters and is set up well for those who seek to use the book for a discussion group.
While parts one and two of the book opened my eyes to aspects of the myrrhbearers that I never considered before, part three of the book was easily my favorite. Elissa narrates the lives of a number of saints who truly made myrrhbearing the center of their lives through love and sacrifice. I was so enthralled by the stories that I was sincerely sad when the book came to an end, wishing for just a few more stories of incredible saints who lived out the call of Christ so clearly. Something beautiful about part three is that the saints included practiced myrrhbearing in completely different ways - yet each service was acceptable before God and made each person mentioned worthy of sainthood.
I would recommend this book for those who want to learn more about the lives of those who tended to the body of Christ as well as to those who sincerely desire to live out a Christian life - not by name, but by deed.
May 31, 2025
When I first received this book, I assumed it would focus solely on the Holy Myrrhbearing Women who went to Christ’s tomb on the morning of His Resurrection. While it certainly covers that, it offers so much more.
The book is divided into three sections. The first explores the *myrrhbearers*—people, mostly women, who were close to Christ during His earthly ministry. Each figure is introduced with a brief backstory, supported by Scripture and quotes from the Church Fathers. I especially appreciated how the questions for reflection helped highlight the unique qualities of each person and made their stories feel personally relevant.
The second section delves into the time surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection, focusing on the roles each myrrhbearer played during this pivotal period.
The final section introduces us to saints whose lives exemplify the spirit of the myrrhbearers—those who lived selflessly in service to others. This was my favorite part of the book. It beautifully demonstrates how small, everyday acts of love and sacrifice can reflect the heart of a myrrhbearer. Each saint’s story is unique, yet they share a common thread: being a myrrhbearer is a daily choice to put our brothers and sisters in Christ before ourselves. And while that might sound simple, there is truly an art to living this way.
I hope you’ll read this book and find it as inspiring as I did.
The book is divided into three sections. The first explores the *myrrhbearers*—people, mostly women, who were close to Christ during His earthly ministry. Each figure is introduced with a brief backstory, supported by Scripture and quotes from the Church Fathers. I especially appreciated how the questions for reflection helped highlight the unique qualities of each person and made their stories feel personally relevant.
The second section delves into the time surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection, focusing on the roles each myrrhbearer played during this pivotal period.
The final section introduces us to saints whose lives exemplify the spirit of the myrrhbearers—those who lived selflessly in service to others. This was my favorite part of the book. It beautifully demonstrates how small, everyday acts of love and sacrifice can reflect the heart of a myrrhbearer. Each saint’s story is unique, yet they share a common thread: being a myrrhbearer is a daily choice to put our brothers and sisters in Christ before ourselves. And while that might sound simple, there is truly an art to living this way.
I hope you’ll read this book and find it as inspiring as I did.
November 19, 2025
This is a book to revive the soul Christians and persons of faith. By following the events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the lives of those who followed and served Christ at that time, and reading about fourteen individual myrrhbearers in action from past to present, the author fully shows us what it looks like to become a myrrhbearer. A myrrbearer indeed is the one who follows the exhortations of Christ to live a life loving one's neighbor. It is a life of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison. In short, it is doing for the least of these with joy, grace, and obedience. This book was needed to refresh and re-inspire me in these times in which we live.
May 22, 2025
My daughter recently started myrrh bearing at church. I didn't really know what that meant. I knew I'd read about myrrh bearers but how did the relate to our services today? This book was a wonderful explanation of something that I assumed was just an anointing at a burial. Yet Elissa does a wonderful job of showing the rejoicing at birth (in Christ) that happens, the symbolism of something profound, and the way we can apply it to our lives. I'd love to do a group work with this book with the excellent end of chapter reflections. We were able to discuss with our 8 year old daughter to help her understand the deep meaning behind what myrrh bearing was. Thanks for this book!
August 11, 2025
I received this audiobook for free from the publisher. "The Art of Myrrhbearing" is a pleasure to listen to. Hearing the stories of the myrrhbearers (including parts that are part of Church tradition, rather than revealed in Scripture) and discussing how they can speak to our lives today is an inspiring exercise. I particularly appreciated the questions offered for reflection or discussion, because they forced me to consider the content at a deeper level than I perhaps would have otherwise. I found this an easy listen and one I'll likely revisit.
August 31, 2025
In the Orthodox tradition the women who came to anoint Christ’s body and found him risen are called the Myrrh Bearing Women. Davis takes this idea and expands it to cover all of the women who served others during Christ’s ministry and then includes all of the saints who have cared for others through the life of the church – and reminds us that caring for others is caring for Christ. A good way to look at this topic. Read as a “toothbrush” book, though I had to put it on pause twice to finish other books
January 17, 2026
If you want inspiration in myrrh bearing— “encountering Christ through serving others” this book will inspire you.
November 8, 2025
What a beautiful book! Every Orthodox woman should read this precious book. It will spur you on to be a myrrhbearer for Christ. I didn't realize that men are considered myrrhbearers as well. I learned so much about the myrrhbearing saints and how to become one. May God grant us grace to love one another as these blessed saints loved those around them.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews