This International Women’s Day, I'm celebrating Ruth and Mary of Bethany, two of my favourite women in the Bible.

Chilion also got married - to Orpah. Woman: What are you doing back here in Judea? Why didn’t you stay in Moab? [Naomi steps into the scene.] Naomi: That’s what I said! To Ruth, I mean.

While arranging a temple ritual, she encounters a Judean family of artisans: Elimelech, his wife Naomi, their sons Chilion and Mahlon, and daughter-in-law Orpah. Ruth is curious about their God ...