St. Joanna

Joanna is one of the women who traveled with Jesus and the apostles. She was the wife of Chuza, who managed the household of Herod. The Gospel of Luke notes that she was healed of evil spirits and infirmities by Jesus. She then began following him. As the wife of a court official, she would have had the means to travel and contribute to Jesus and the disciples. She also could have provided Luke with witness accounts of the court. Several of the women who traveled with Jesus were women of wealth. They provided material support to his ministry as well as adding a domestic, feminine dimension to his band of disciples. 

Joanna was one of the women who witnessed the Resurrection and was likely present for the Pentecost. In the Eastern Church, she is known as a myrrhbearer, as one who went to Jesus’ tomb with myrrh and spices on Easter Day and found the tomb empty. She, with other women, remained loyal to Jesus through his suffering and death. They were the first to know the Good News.