- ● Orthodox Remembrance Day: 27 June
● Name means: God is gracious (Hebrew)
● Disciple of Jesus
● Born in Israel
● Died in Israel in the 1st century
Joan was the wife of Chusa, a prominent official serving King Herod Antipas during the time of
Jesus’ ministry. She is recorded as being one of the many individuals who were healed by Jesus,
and it is written that she became a disciple of his, following him and supporting both him and
the twelve disciples financially.
In the Gospel of Luke, it is stated that Joan was one of the women who were present at Jesus’
burial, and later she, along with Mary Magdalene and Mary of James, went to Jesus’ tomb on
the morning of Easter to embalm his body. As such, she is considered to be one of the first
witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, as is detailed in Luke 24:10.
Interestingly, Joan is also associated with an important act of reverence and respect after the
death of John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod Antipas. According to tradition,
Joan knew the location in which Herodias, Herod’s wife, had buried John’s head, and took it
upon herself to retrieve it and provide a proper burial on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem.
In summary, Joan is recognized as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, and a key figure among the
female followers who supported him during his ministry. Her acts of reverence both at the time
of Christ’s crucifixion and after the death of John the Baptist earned her an enduring place in
Christian tradition and history.
Johanna | Disciple of Jesus
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May