The answer
The woman mentioned having poured an alabaster flask of oil on the head of our Lord at the house of Simon the Leper is most likely Mary the sister of Lazarus. It is believed that this same Simon was perhaps a relative of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, or at least one from the same town of Bethany, and the occasion for the celebration could have been the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead by our Lord Jesus Christ. Simon the Leper is probably, as well, one of the many lepers whom Christ healed. Otherwise, he would not have been able to have this close proximity to others, whether in his own home or even in public. Thus, the same woman at the same event with the expensive fragrant oil is mentioned by name as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus in the Holy Gospel according to St. John. She is memorialized whenever this Gospel reading is delivered. Our church sometimes includes the readings pertaining to Mary the sister of Lazarus for St. Mary, the Holy Virgin, because of the similarities of name and as women of humility, lowliness, and submission to the Lord. St. Lazarus is commemorated in the Synexarium as the Bishop of Cypress and one who is also identified as a martyr. The status of sainthood is not mentioned regarding Mary or Martha in the Synexarium, but that does necessarily mean that they are not considered saints or righteous women.Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)