However, it should be noted that the portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute began in 591 when Pope Gregory I conflated Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), with Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:39) and the unnamed "sinful woman" who anointed Jesus's feet (Luke 7:36–50). Pope Gregory's Easter sermon resulted in a widespread belief that Mary Magdalene was a repentant prostitute or promiscuous woman. There is no mention of this in early Christian writings before Gregory I.
In 1969, Pope Paul VI removed the identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and the "sinful woman" from the General Roman Calendar, but the view of her as a former prostitute has persisted in popular culture.
A brief glimpse into the role of Mary Magdalene amongst the disciples of Jesus can be found in the Gospel of Philip.
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