Venerable Mary of Egypt (†522). Mary of Egypt. Icon and brief history of earthly life
Mary of Egypt- Christian saint, considered the patroness of repentant women.
The first life of the Venerable Mary was written Sophronius of Jerusalem, and many of the motifs from the life of Mary of Egypt were transferred in medieval legends to Mary Magdalene.
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The Venerable Mary, nicknamed the Egyptian, lived in the middle of the 5th and early 6th centuries. Her youth did not bode well. Mary was only twelve years old when she left her home in the city of Alexandria. Being free from parental supervision, young and inexperienced, Maria became carried away with a vicious life. There was no one to stop her on the path to destruction, and there were many seducers and temptations. So Mary lived in sins for 17 years, until the merciful Lord turned her to repentance.
It happened like this. By coincidence, Mary joined a group of pilgrims heading to the Holy Land. Sailing with pilgrims on the ship, Mary did not stop seducing people and sinning. Once in Jerusalem, she joined the pilgrims heading to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
People entered the temple in a wide crowd, but Mary was stopped at the entrance by an invisible hand and could not enter it with any effort. Then she realized that the Lord did not allow her to enter the holy place because of her uncleanness.
Seized with horror and a feeling of deep repentance, she began to pray to God to forgive her sins, promising to radically correct her life. Seeing an icon of the Mother of God at the entrance to the temple, Mary began to ask the Mother of God to intercede for her before God. After this, she immediately felt enlightenment in her soul and entered the temple without hindrance. Shedding copious tears at the Holy Sepulcher, she left the temple as a completely different person.
Mary fulfilled her promise to change her life. From Jerusalem she retired to the harsh and deserted Jordanian desert and there she spent almost half a century in complete solitude, in fasting and prayer. Thus, through severe deeds, Mary of Egypt completely eradicated all sinful desires in herself and made her heart a pure temple of the Holy Spirit.
Elder Zosima, who lived in the Jordan Monastery of St. John the Baptist, by the providence of God, was honored to meet the Venerable Mary in the desert, when she was already an old woman. He was amazed by her holiness and gift of insight. Once he saw her during prayer, as if rising above the earth, and another time, walking across the Jordan River, as if on dry land.
Parting with Zosima, the Monk Mary asked him to come again to the desert a year later to give her communion. The elder returned at the appointed time and communed the Reverend Mary with the Holy Mysteries. Then, coming to the desert another year later in the hope of seeing the saint, he no longer found her alive. The elder buried the remains of St. Mary there in the desert, in which he was helped by a lion, who with his claws dug a hole for burying the body of the righteous woman. This was around 521.
Thus, from a great sinner, the Venerable Mary became, with God’s help, the greatest saint and left such a vivid example of repentance.
Complete Life of Venerable Mary of Egypt
In a Palestinian monastery in the vicinity of Caesarea lived the monk Zosima. Sent to a monastery from childhood, he labored there until he was 53 years old, when he was confused by the thought: “Will there be a holy man in the most distant desert who has surpassed me in sobriety and work?”
As soon as he thought this way, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “You, Zosimas, have labored well in human measure, but among men there is not a single righteous one (Rom. 3 :10). So that you understand how many other and higher forms of salvation there are, come out of this monastery, like Abraham from his father’s house (Gen. 12 :1), and go to the monastery located by the Jordan."
Abba Zosima immediately left the monastery and, following the Angel, came to the Jordan monastery and settled in it.
Here he saw the elders, truly shining in their exploits. Abba Zosima began to imitate the holy monks in spiritual work.
So a lot of time passed, and the Holy Pentecost approached. There was a custom in the monastery, for the sake of which God brought St. Zosima here. On the first Sunday of Great Lent, the abbot served the Divine Liturgy, everyone partook of the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, then ate a small meal and gathered again in the church.
Having made a prayer and the prescribed number of prostrations to the ground, the elders, having asked each other for forgiveness, took a blessing from the abbot and under the general singing of the psalm “The Lord is my enlightenment and my Savior: whom will I fear? The Lord is the Protector of my life: from whom shall I fear?” (Ps. 26 :1) they opened the monastery gates and went into the desert.
Each of them took with him a moderate amount of food, whoever needed what, some did not take anything into the desert at all and ate roots. The monks crossed the Jordan and dispersed as far as possible so as not to see anyone fasting and asceticism.
When Lent ended, the monks returned to the monastery on Palm Sunday with the fruit of their work (Rom. 6 :21-22), having examined your conscience (1 Pet. 3 :16). At the same time, no one asked anyone how he worked and accomplished his feat.
That year, Abba Zosima, according to monastic custom, crossed the Jordan. He wanted to go deeper into the desert to meet some of the saints and great elders who were saving themselves there and praying for peace.
He walked through the desert for 20 days and one day, when he was singing the psalms of the 6th hour and doing the usual prayers, suddenly a shadow of a human body appeared to his right. He was horrified, thinking that he was seeing a demonic ghost, but, having crossed himself, he put aside his fear and, having finished the prayer, turned towards the shadow and saw a naked man walking through the desert, whose body was black from the heat of the sun, and his short, bleached hair turned white like a lamb’s fleece. . Abba Zosima was delighted, since during these days he had not seen a single living creature, and immediately headed in his direction.
But as soon as the naked hermit saw Zosima coming towards him, he immediately began to run away from him. Abba Zosima, forgetting his old age's infirmity and fatigue, quickened his pace. But soon, exhausted, he stopped at a dry stream and began to tearfully beg the retreating ascetic: “Why are you running from me, a sinful old man, saving yourself in this desert? Wait for me, weak and unworthy, and give me your holy prayer and blessing, for the sake of the Lord, who has never disdained anyone.”
The unknown man, without turning around, shouted to him: “Forgive me, Abba Zosima, I cannot, having turned, appear to your face: I am a woman, and, as you can see, I have no clothes on to cover my bodily nakedness. But if you want to pray for me, a great and damned sinner, throw me your cloak to cover yourself, then I can come to you for a blessing.”
“She would not have known me by name if through holiness and unknown deeds she had not acquired the gift of clairvoyance from the Lord,” thought Abba Zosima and hastened to fulfill what was said to him.
Covering herself with a cloak, the ascetic turned to Zosima: “What did you think, Abba Zosima, to talk to me, a sinful and unwise woman? What do you want to learn from me and, sparing no effort, you spent so much work? He, kneeling down, asked her blessing. In the same way, she bowed down before him, and for a long time both of them asked each other: “Bless.” Finally the ascetic said; “Abba Zosima, it is fitting for you to bless and say a prayer, since you have been honored with the rank of presbyterate and for many years, standing at the altar of Christ, you have offered the Holy Gifts to the Lord.”
These words frightened the Monk Zosima even more. With a deep sigh he answered her: “O spiritual mother! It is clear that you, of the two of us, have come closer to God and died for the world. You recognized me by name and called me presbyter, having never seen me before. It is your duty to bless me for the Lord’s sake.”
Finally yielding to Zosima’s stubbornness, the saint said: “Blessed is God, who desires the salvation of all people.” Abba Zosima answered “Amen,” and they rose from the ground. The ascetic again said to the elder: “Why did you come, father, to me, a sinner, devoid of all virtue? However, it is clear that the grace of the Holy Spirit directed you to perform one service that my soul needed. Tell me first, Abba, how do Christians live today, how do the saints of God’s Church grow and prosper?”
Abba Zosima answered her: “Through your holy prayers, God gave the Church and us all perfect peace. But heed the prayer of the unworthy old man, my mother, pray, for God’s sake, for the whole world and for me, a sinner, so that this deserted walk will not be fruitless for me.”
The holy ascetic said: “You should rather, Abba Zosima, having a sacred rank, pray for me and for everyone. That's why you were given the rank. However, I will willingly fulfill everything you commanded me for the sake of obedience to the Truth and from a pure heart.”
Having said this, the saint turned to the east and, lifting her eyes and raising her hands to the sky, began to pray in a whisper. The elder saw how she rose in the air an elbow from the ground. From this wonderful vision, Zosima prostrated himself, praying fervently and not daring to say anything other than “Lord, have mercy!”
A thought came into his soul - was it a ghost leading him into temptation? The venerable ascetic, turning around, lifted him from the ground and said: “Why are you so confused by your thoughts, Abba Zosima? I'm not a ghost. I am a sinful and unworthy woman, although I am protected by holy baptism.”
Having said this, she made the sign of the cross. Seeing and hearing this, the elder fell with tears at the feet of the ascetic: “I beg you, by Christ our God, do not hide your ascetic life from me, but tell it all, in order to make the greatness of God clear to everyone. For I believe in the Lord my God, and by Him you also live, that for this reason I was sent into this desert, so that God would make all your fasting deeds obvious to the world.”
And the holy ascetic said: “I am embarrassed, father, to tell you about my shameless deeds. For then you will have to run from me, closing your eyes and ears, as one runs from a poisonous snake. But still I will tell you, father, without keeping silent about any of my sins, I conjure you, do not stop praying for me, a sinner, so that I will find boldness on the Day of Judgment.
I was born in Egypt and while my parents were still alive, when I was twelve years old, I left them and went to Alexandria. There I lost my chastity and indulged in uncontrollable and insatiable fornication. For more than seventeen years I indulged in sin without restraint and did everything for free. I didn't take money not because I was rich. I lived in poverty and made money from yarn. I thought that the whole meaning of life was to satisfy carnal lust.
While leading such a life, I once saw a multitude of people from Libya and Egypt going to the sea to sail to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I also wanted to sail with them. But not for the sake of Jerusalem and not for the sake of the holiday, but - forgive me, father - so that there would be more with whom to indulge in debauchery. So I boarded the ship.
Now, father, believe me, I myself am surprised how the sea tolerated my debauchery and fornication, how the earth did not open its mouth and bring me alive to hell, which deceived and destroyed so many souls... But, apparently, God wanted my repentance, not even though the death of the sinner and waiting patiently for conversion.
So I arrived in Jerusalem and all the days before the holiday, as on the ship, I was engaged in bad deeds.
When the holy holiday of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross of the Lord arrived, I still walked around, catching the souls of young people in sin. Seeing that everyone went to the church very early, where the Life-Giving Tree was located, I went with everyone and entered the church vestibule. When the hour of the Holy Exaltation arrived, I wanted to enter the church with all the people. Having made my way to the doors with great difficulty, I, damned, tried to squeeze inside. But as soon as I stepped on the threshold, some divine force stopped me, not allowing me to enter, and threw me far from the door, while all the people walked unhindered. I thought that, perhaps, due to female weakness, I could not squeeze through the crowd, and again I tried to push the people away with my elbows and make my way to the door. No matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t get in. As soon as my foot touched the church threshold, I stopped. The church accepted everyone, did not forbid anyone to enter, but I, the accursed one, was not allowed in. This happened three or four times. My strength is exhausted. I walked away and stood in the corner of the church porch.
Then I felt that it was my sins that prevented me from seeing the Life-Giving Tree, my heart was touched by the grace of the Lord, I began to sob and began to beat my chest in repentance. As I lifted up sighs to the Lord from the depths of my heart, I saw before me an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and turned to her with a prayer: “O Virgin, Lady, who gave birth to God the Word in the flesh! I know that I am unworthy to look at Your icon. It is righteous for me, a hated harlot, to be rejected from Your purity and to be an abomination to You, but I also know that for this purpose God became man, in order to call sinners to repentance. Help me, Most Pure One, may I be allowed to enter the church. Do not forbid me to see the Tree on which the Lord was crucified in His flesh, shedding His innocent Blood for me, a sinner, for my deliverance from sin. Command, Lady, that the doors of the holy worship of the Cross may be opened for me too. Be my valiant Guarantor to Him who was born of You. I promise You from now on not to defile myself any more with any carnal defilement, but as soon as I see the Tree of the Cross of Your Son, I will renounce the world and immediately go to where You, as the Surety, will guide me.”
And when I prayed like that, I suddenly felt that my prayer had been heard. In the tenderness of faith, hoping in the Merciful Mother of God, I again joined those entering the temple, and no one pushed me aside or prevented me from entering. I walked in fear and trembling until I reached the door and was honored to see the Life-giving Cross of the Lord.
This is how I learned the mysteries of God and that God is ready to accept those who repent. I fell to the ground, prayed, kissed the shrines and left the temple, hastening to appear again before my Surety, where I had made a promise. Kneeling before the icon, I prayed like this before it:
“Oh, our Benevolent Lady and Mother of God! You did not abhor my unworthy prayer. Glory to God, who accepts the repentance of sinners through You. The time has come for me to fulfill the promise in which You were the Guarantor. Now, Lady, guide me on the path of repentance.”
And so, not yet finishing my prayer, I hear a voice, as if speaking from afar: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find blissful peace.”
I immediately believed that this voice was for me, and, crying, I exclaimed to the Mother of God: “Lady Lady, do not leave me, a nasty sinner, but help me,” and immediately left the church vestibule and walked away. One man gave me three copper coins. With them I bought myself three loaves of bread and from the seller I learned the way to the Jordan.
At sunset I reached the Church of St. John the Baptist near the Jordan. Having bowed first of all in the church, I immediately went down to the Jordan and washed his face and hands with holy water. Then I took communion in the Church of St. John the Baptist of the Most Pure and Life-Giving Mysteries of Christ, ate half of one of my breads, washed it down with holy Jordanian water and slept that night on the ground near the temple. The next morning, having found a small canoe not far away, I crossed the river in it to the other bank and again fervently prayed to my Mentor that She would direct me as She herself would please. Immediately after that I came to this desert.”
Abba Zosima asked the monk: “How many years, my mother, have passed since you settled in this desert?” “I think,” she answered, “47 years have passed since I left the Holy City.”
Abba Zosima asked again: “What do you have or what do you find for food here, my mother?” And she answered: “I had two and a half loaves with me when I crossed the Jordan, little by little they dried up and turned to stone, and, eating little by little, I ate from them for many years.”
Abba Zosima asked again: “Have you really been without illness for so many years? And didn’t you accept any temptations from sudden excuses and temptations?” “Believe me, Abba Zosima,” answered the saint, “I spent 17 years in this desert, as if with fierce beasts, struggling with my thoughts... When I began to eat food, the thought of meat and fish immediately came to me, to which I I'm used to it in Egypt. I also wanted wine, because I drank a lot of it when I was out in the world. Here, often without simple water and food, I suffered fiercely from thirst and hunger. I also suffered more severe disasters: I was overcome by the desire for fornicating songs, as if I heard them, confusing my heart and ears. Crying and beating my chest, I then remembered the vows that I made while going into the desert, before the icon of the Holy Mother of God, my Handmaid, and cried, begging to drive away the thoughts that were tormenting my soul. When repentance was accomplished through prayer and crying, I saw a Light shining from everywhere, and then, instead of a storm, a great silence surrounded me.
Forgone thoughts, forgive me, Abba, how can I confess them to you? A passionate fire flared up inside my heart and scorched me all over, arousing lust. When cursed thoughts appeared, I threw myself to the ground and seemed to see that the Most Holy Surety Herself was standing before me and judging me for breaking my promise. So I did not get up, lying prostrate day and night on the ground, until repentance was accomplished again and I was surrounded by the same blessed Light, driving away evil confusion and thoughts.
This is how I lived in this desert for the first seventeen years. Darkness after darkness, misfortune after misfortune befell me, a sinner. But from that time until now, the Mother of God, my Helper, guides me in everything.”
Abba Zosima asked again: “Did you really need neither food nor clothing here?”
She answered: “My bread ran out, as I said, in these seventeen years. After that, I began to eat roots and what I could find in the desert. The dress that I was wearing when I crossed the Jordan had long been torn and decayed, and then I had to endure a lot and suffer from both the heat, when the heat scorched me, and the winter, when I was shaking from the cold. How many times have I fallen to the ground as if dead. How many times have I been in immeasurable struggle with various misfortunes, troubles and temptations? But from that time until this day, the power of God has protected my sinful soul and humble body in unknown and varied ways. I was nourished and covered by the word of God, which contains all things (Deut. 8 :3), for man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word of God (Matt. 4 :4 ; OK. 4 :4), and those who have no covering will be clothed with stone (Job. 24 :8), if they put off the garment of sin (Col. 3 :9). As I remembered how much evil and what sins the Lord had delivered me from, I found inexhaustible food in that.”
When Abba Zosima heard that the holy ascetic was speaking from the Holy Scriptures in memory - from the books of Moses and Job and from the Psalms of David - then he asked the venerable one: “Where, my mother, did you learn the psalms and other Books?”
She smiled after listening to this question and answered: “Believe me, man of God, I have not seen a single person except you since I crossed the Jordan. I had never studied books before, I had never heard church singing or Divine reading. Unless the Word of God itself, living and all-creative, teaches man all understanding (Col. 3 :16 ; 2 Pet. 1 :21 ; 1 Thess. 2 :13). However, enough, I have already confessed my whole life to you, but where I began is where I end: I conjure you as the incarnation of God the Word - pray, holy Abba, for me, a great sinner.
And I also adjure you, by our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, that you do not tell anything that you have heard from me until God takes me from the earth. And do what I tell you now. Next year, during Lent, do not go beyond the Jordan, as your monastic custom commands.”
Again Abba Zosima was surprised that their monastic order was known to the holy ascetic, although he did not say a single word about it to her.
“Stay, Abba,” the saint continued, “in the monastery. However, even if you want to leave the monastery, you will not be able... And when the holy Great Thursday of the Lord’s Last Supper comes, put the Life-giving Body and Blood of Christ our God into the holy vessel and bring it to me. Wait for me on the other side of the Jordan, at the edge of the desert, so that when I come, I will receive communion of the Holy Mysteries. And say to Abba John, abbot of your monastery: take heed to yourself and to your flock (1 Tim. 4 :16). However, I don’t want you to tell him this now, but when the Lord indicates.”
Having said this and asking for prayers again, the saint turned and went into the depths of the desert.
All year Elder Zosima remained in silence, not daring to reveal to anyone what the Lord had revealed to him, and he diligently prayed that the Lord would grant him the privilege of seeing the holy ascetic once again.
When the first week of Holy Great Lent began again, the Monk Zosima, due to illness, had to remain in the monastery. Then he remembered the prophetic words of the saint that he would not be able to leave the monastery. After several days, the Monk Zosima was healed of his illness, but still remained in the monastery until Holy Week.
The day of remembering the Last Supper has approached. Then Abba Zosima fulfilled what he was commanded - late in the evening he left the monastery to the Jordan and sat down on the shore, waiting. The saint hesitated, and Abba Zosima prayed to God that He would not deprive him of a meeting with the ascetic.
Finally the saint came and stood on the other side of the river. Rejoicing, the Monk Zosima stood up and glorified God. A thought occurred to him: how could she get across the Jordan without a boat? But the saint, having crossed the Jordan with the sign of the cross, quickly walked on the water. When the elder wanted to bow to her, she forbade him, shouting from the middle of the river: “What are you doing, Abba? After all, you are a priest, a bearer of the great Mysteries of God.”
Having crossed the river, the monk said to Abba Zosima: “Bless, father.” He answered her with trepidation, horrified by the wondrous vision: “Truly God is not lying, who promised to liken to Himself all those who purify themselves, as far as possible, to mortals. Glory to Thee, Christ our God, who showed me through His holy servant how far I fall from the standard of perfection.”
After this, the saint asked him to read “I Believe” and “Our Father.” At the end of the prayer, she, having communed the Holy Terrible Mysteries of Christ, stretched out her hands to heaven and with tears and trembling said the prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver: “Now do You let Your servant go, O Master, according to Your word in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
Then the monk again turned to the elder and said: “Forgive me, Abba, and fulfill my other desire. Go now to your monastery, and next year come to that dried-up stream where we first talked to you.” “If it were possible for me,” answered Abba Zosima, “to continually follow you to behold your holiness!” The venerable woman again asked the elder: “Pray, for the Lord’s sake, pray for me and remember my curse.” And, making the sign of the cross over the Jordan, she, as before, walked across the waters and disappeared into the darkness of the desert. And Elder Zosima returned to the monastery in spiritual jubilation and awe, and reproached himself for one thing: that he had not asked the name of the saint. But he hoped next year to finally find out her name.
A year passed, and Abba Zosimas again went into the desert. Praying, he reached a dry stream, on the eastern side of which he saw a holy ascetic. She lay dead, with her arms folded, as it should be, on her chest, her face turned to the East. Abba Zosima washed her feet with his tears, not daring to touch her body, wept for a long time over the deceased ascetic and began to sing psalms appropriate for mourning the death of the righteous, and read funeral prayers. But he doubted whether the saint would be pleased if he buried her. As soon as he thought this, he saw that at its head there was an inscription: “Bury, Abba Zosima, in this place the body of the humble Mary. Give dust to dust. Pray to the Lord for me, who reposed in the month of April on the first day, on the very night of Christ’s saving suffering, after communion of the Divine Last Supper.”
Having read this inscription, Abba Zosima was at first surprised who could have made it, for the ascetic herself did not know how to read and write. But he was glad to finally know her name. Abba Zosima understood that the Venerable Mary, having received the Holy Mysteries on the Jordan from his hands, in an instant walked her long desert path, which he, Zosima, had walked for twenty days, and immediately departed to the Lord.
Having glorified God and wet the earth and the body of the Venerable Mary with tears, Abba Zosima said to himself: “It’s time for you, Elder Zosima, to do what you were commanded. But how can you, damned one, dig up a grave without having anything in your hands?” Having said this, he saw a fallen tree lying nearby in the desert, took it and began to dig. But the ground was too dry, no matter how much he dug, sweating profusely, he could not do anything. Straightening up, Abba Zosima saw a huge lion near the body of the Venerable Mary, who was licking her feet. The elder was overcome with fear, but he made the sign of the cross, believing that he would remain unharmed by the prayers of the holy ascetic. Then the lion began to caress the elder, and Abba Zosima, inflamed in spirit, ordered the lion to dig a grave in order to bury the body of Saint Mary. At his word, the lion dug a ditch with its paws, in which the body of the saint was buried. Having fulfilled his will, each went his own way: the lion into the desert, and Abba Zosima into the monastery, blessing and praising Christ our God.
Arriving at the monastery, Abba Zosima told the monks and the abbot what he had seen and heard from the Venerable Mary. Everyone was amazed, hearing about the greatness of God, and with fear, faith and love they established the memory of the Venerable Mary and honor the day of her repose. Abba John, abbot of the monastery, according to the word of the monk, with God’s help, corrected what needed to be done in the monastery. Abba Zosima, having lived a godly life in the same monastery and not quite reaching the age of one hundred, ended his temporary life here, passing into eternal life.
Thus, the ancient ascetics of the glorious monastery of the holy, all-praised Forerunner of the Lord John, located on the Jordan, conveyed to us the wondrous story of the life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. This story was not originally written down by them, but was reverently passed on by the holy elders from mentors to disciples.
“I,” says Saint Sophronius, Archbishop of Jerusalem (March 11), the first descriptor of the Life, “what I received in my turn from the holy fathers, have committed everything to written history.”
May God, who works great miracles and rewards with great gifts all who turn to Him with faith, reward both those who read and listen, and those who conveyed this story to us, and grant us a good share with the blessed Mary of Egypt and with all the saints, who have pleased God with their thoughts of God and their labors from centuries. Let us also give glory to God the Eternal King, and let us also be granted mercy on the Day of Judgment in Christ Jesus our Lord; to Him belongs all glory, honor, and power, and worship with the Father, and the Most Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever, amen.
April 14, the church honors the memory of the great saint! Mary of Egypt is one of the most revered saints among Orthodox Christians. Find out more about St. Mary of Egypt from the prepared material below! Have a nice and useful reading!
Life of Mary of Egypt
The Venerable Mary, nicknamed the Egyptian, lived in the mid-5th and early 6th centuries. Her youth did not bode well. Mary was only twelve years old when she left her home in the city of Alexandria. Being free from parental supervision, young and inexperienced, Maria became carried away with a vicious life. There was no one to stop her on the path to destruction, and there were many seducers and temptations. So Mary lived in sins for 17 years, until the merciful Lord turned her to repentance.
It happened like this. By coincidence, Mary joined a group of pilgrims heading to the Holy Land. Sailing with pilgrims on the ship, Mary did not stop seducing people and sinning. Once in Jerusalem, she joined the pilgrims heading to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
Church of the Resurrection, Jerusalem
People entered the temple in a wide crowd, but Mary was stopped at the entrance by an invisible hand and could not enter it with any effort. Then she realized that the Lord did not allow her to enter the holy place because of her uncleanness.
Seized with horror and a feeling of deep repentance, she began to pray to God to forgive her sins, promising to radically correct her life. Seeing an icon of the Mother of God at the entrance to the temple, Mary began to ask the Mother of God to intercede for her before God. After this, she immediately felt enlightenment in her soul and entered the temple without hindrance. Shedding copious tears at the Holy Sepulcher, she left the temple as a completely different person.
Mary fulfilled her promise to change her life. From Jerusalem she retired to the harsh and deserted Jordanian desert and there she spent almost half a century in complete solitude, in fasting and prayer. Thus, through severe deeds, Mary of Egypt completely eradicated all sinful desires in herself and made her heart a pure temple of the Holy Spirit.
Elder Zosima, who lived in the Jordan Monastery of St. John the Baptist, by the providence of God, was honored to meet the Venerable Mary in the desert, when she was already an old woman. He was amazed by her holiness and gift of insight. One day he saw her during prayer, as if rising above the earth, and another time, walking across the Jordan River, as if on dry land.
Parting with Zosima, the Monk Mary asked him to come again to the desert a year later to give her communion. The elder returned at the appointed time and communed the Venerable Mary with the Holy Mysteries. Then, coming to the desert another year later in the hope of seeing the saint, he no longer found her alive. The elder buried the remains of St. Mary there in the desert, in which he was helped by a lion, who with his claws dug a hole for burying the body of the righteous woman. This was approximately in 521.
Thus, from a great sinner, the Venerable Mary became, with God’s help, the greatest saint and left such a vivid example of repentance.
What do St. Mary of Egypt most often pray for?
They pray to Mary of Egypt for overcoming fornication, for the granting of repentant feelings in all circumstances.
Prayer of Mary of Egypt
O great saint of Christ, Venerable Mary! Those who stand before the Throne of God in Heaven, and who are with us in the spirit of love on earth, who have boldness towards the Lord, pray to save His servants, who flow to you with love. Ask us from the Most Merciful Master and Lord of faith for immaculate observance of our cities and villages, for salvation from famine and destruction, for those who mourn - consolation, for the sick - healing, for the fallen - uprising, for those who are lost - strengthening, prosperity and blessing in good deeds, for orphans and widows - intercession and eternal rest for those who have departed from this life, but on the day of the Last Judgment we will all be at the right hand of the country and hear the blessed voice of the Judge of the world: come, blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, and receive your abode there forever. Amen.
Video film about Saint Mary
Materials used: website Pravoslavie.ru, YouTube.com; photo - A. Pospelov, A. Elshin.
Saint Alexis the Man of God and Venerable Mary of Egypt. Spring 1648 The icon was painted for the wedding of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with Tsarina Maria Ilyinichna
In the narration of the life of St. Mary encounters many things that far exceed human nature, but, as is known from the Gospel, for the holy wonderworkers, with the help of God, nothing is impossible: thus, having overcome their old man, they lived like disembodied angels already here on earth. St. Sophrony mentions a whole monastery of such ascetics, among whom was St. Elder Zosima(460-560), who accidentally discovered an Egyptian hermit while practicing intense prayer feats during Lent.
Zosima himself lived in a monastic monastery from his childhood and never became involved in worldly pursuits. Having reached a certain degree of spiritual perfection, he began to think to himself whether there were other workers who would be higher than him in virtues. Then the Angel of the Lord opened to him in the Jordanian desert one such monastery, the inhabitants of which were distinguished by a particularly strict life in spiritual exploits. Here, according to custom, at the beginning of Great Lent, all the monks went into solitude and remained so until Flower Sunday, when they returned back to arrive in time for the festive church service.
In the Jordanian desert, where the venerable hermits lived, it was impossible to meet not only humans, but even wild animals or birds. Therefore, noticing the figure of the hermit from afar, Elder Zosima was both happy and frightened, embarrassed by the thought that the vision was imaginary. She was “naked in body, and black in vision, from solar burning. The hair that is named on the head is white, like a wave, and short, as if reaching to the neck" (). But the saint, taking half of the old robe from the elder to cover his bodily nakedness, hastened to calm him down and made the sign of the cross. Zosima marveled more and more and thanked God for this wonderful acquaintance. Thus, Mary showed herself to be a seer, for she easily called an old man unknown to her both by name and rank (St. Zosimas was a priest), and when she began to pray, then, as if disembodied, she ascended a full cubit from the ground and quoted miraculously recognized her texts of Scripture. But to all questions about her life, the hermit answered that she was a great sinner, filled with all kinds of lawlessness, which would be terrible to both tell and listen to.
Entreated by the elder, Maria began to tell that, being only twelve years old, she secretly left her parental home and settled in Alexandria. Here, still very young and inexperienced, she completely abandoned herself to a vicious life and carnal pleasures. Maria spent about seventeen years in this way, although she then lived very poorly and earned money from needlework:
“I have been for seven and ten years and more, giving my body to everyone without restraint, and accepting bribes from no one: this is the truth, and it is forbidden to give to those who want to give to me. Behold, I have many intentions, so that I may acquire many, come to me once, and put an end to my desire. Don’t think of me as if I were rich and don’t take it: I’m living in poverty, even though I’ve been raked many times, but my desire is not satisfied and my zeal cannot be restrained, I’m always wallowing in time. The same goes for life, which always creates bodily desires” ().
Once during the harvest, Mary saw how many people from Egypt and Libya flocked to the sea pier to a ship sailing to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Cross of the Lord. Here she decided to go along with everyone, but very frivolously: for the sake of fun and new meetings. So, both on the ship and in Jerusalem itself, Mary did not lag behind her custom, but remained in her former carelessness and sinful pleasures. In deep humility, she now confessed this to the reverend elder, not hiding anything from her experience:
“What else will we confess, Father; or what tongue will utter; or who hears, my former evil deeds, on the way and in the ships, as those who do not want to, but I am accursed in need, a shameless form of committing fornication, spoken and indescribable, he would be a teacher of the accursed deed. Through them I believe, Father, I marvel at how the sea has endured my fornication. No matter how the earth opens its lips, and does not lead me to hell alive, I have deceived so many souls. But I remember that God sought my repentance, for He does not want death as a sinner, but awaits with patience my repentance” ().
When the time for the great celebration arrived, Mary, along with many people, hurried to the church to venerate the Cross. And then, for the first time in all the past years, she suddenly saw and understood how sinful and destructive her current state was: the invisible power of God did not allow her to go inside and stand in the holy place. All the people walked and moved forward, but Maria remained in the vestibule and tried to squeeze through with them, but as soon as her foot touched the church threshold, she again found herself behind, embarrassed and confused. This went on three or four times. Then Mary, realizing that it was the Hand from Above who was punishing her for her sins, turned to the icon of the Most Pure Theotokos with words of the most sincere repentance and contrition of heart:
“I retreated to the corner of the church porch, and barely came to the feeling that it was for my sake that the Life-Giving Cross was forbidden. The Son touches the Word before the eyes of my heart, and with demonstrations, as though he were imprisoned for the sake of my deeds, he forbids my entry. And then he began to cry and sob, and beat his heart, exhausting sighs from the depths of his heart. Weeping in the place where we stood, and looking up in front of her, and seeing the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos standing, and reaching out to Her, not shyly looking: “O Virgin Lady, Who gave birth to the flesh of God the Word. I know that it is neither godly nor pleasing for me to behold the filthy harlot on your venerable icon of the ever-Virgin Mary. It is righteous for me to be a harlot, who hates to be Your purity, and abhors You. But I heard that for this reason God was a man, and you gave birth to Him, so that sinners may call to repentance, help me alone, who does not have any help; commanded that my entry into the Church should not be weak... You and the Handmaid be pleased with me, to the One who was born of You, as I am no longer able to defile this flesh with any defilement of the flesh. But when I see the Tree of Christ Your Son, I will renounce this world and then I will depart, maybe You will guide me as a Surety” ().
Thus, humbly reproaching herself, Mary was finally vouchsafed to venerate the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord without restraint. Returning back to the porch to the icon of the Mother of God, she fell before Her with joy and fear, praying to the Most Holy Virgin to be her Teacher for salvation from now on. And the Most Pure Mother of God did not despise her heartfelt petition, but there was a response voice from the icon: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find good peace” (). Having once again thanked the All-Merciful Mother of God with tears and received Holy Communion, Mary went to the Jordan. There she found a small boat for herself and, having moved to the opposite shore, she remained in the depths of the desert, never having seen, until now, a human face. The only person who saw Mary after she left for the desert was the monk Zosima.
Next, Mary told the elder what she had experienced, having labored for forty-seven years in such a harsh area, where there was neither water nor any other food except rare desert herbs. Unable to renew her clothes, which had decayed over time, she suffered a lot from the heat of the midday and the cold at night, and many times, exhausted, she lay, as if already lifeless, on the bare ground. It was especially hard for her in the early years, when she was still tempted by worldly memories:
“I believe in them, Abvo Zosimo, who spent sixteen years in this desert, as if fighting with fierce beasts, struggling with their own thoughts. Whenever we first ate food, we craved meat and fish, like they had in Egypt. Although I drink the wine of my beloved, I drank a lot of wine while I was in the world. Here, having no water to taste, they became angry and suffered less and less. We also had the desire to sing fornicating songs, fiercely disturbing me, and singing demonic songs, which we have become accustomed to in the world. Abi, shedding tears, and beating her heart with faith, remembered the vows she had made, venturing into this desert. My thoughts went to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, my Surety, and I cried to Toya, asking him to drive away my thoughts, my melting, damned soul. When I was content with weeping and beating diligently in my heart, then I saw the light shining everywhere on me, and there was great silence in the storm where I was” ().
Having finished her story, Mary asked the venerable elder the following year, on Holy Thursday, to approach the Jordan, preparing for her a vessel with the Holy Mysteries. At the same time, she predicted to him that this time, even if he wanted to, he would not be able, as usual, to retire to the desert for Lent.
Returning to his monastery, Zosima did not announce his ex to anyone, but looked forward to the next year to see the saint again. Physical illness really did not allow him to go out into solitude with everyone else, but on Holy Thursday he hurried to the appointed place, having prepared the Holy Mysteries and some hermit food. Since Mary did not appear for a long time, the elder, standing on the shore, began to think with anxiety whether something had happened that would serve as an obstacle to such a desired meeting. He was also overcome by other doubts: how could she get across the river, having neither a boat nor a bridge to cross here. While he was still thinking this way, the venerable one, finally showing herself and making the sign of the cross, quickly walked towards him over the water as if she were walking on a solid road.
Having communed with reverence of the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, Mary read the prayer of St. righteous Simeon the God-Receiver: “Now you release your servant, Master...” and asked Zosima the next year to come to her again at the place of their first meeting, predicting to him that then he would be able to see her again, but in the way the Lord willed. The elder, returning back, marveled at himself that he did not remember in time to ask the very name of the saint. At the request of Mary, Zosima returned exactly a year later to the place of their first meeting and saw the body of the saint lying on the sand, and next to it was the inscription:
“Bury Abvo Zosimo in this place the body of the wretched Marya, give dust to dust. For the Lord’s sake, pray for me, who died, on the month of Pharmutia in Egyptian, and in Roman Aprilia, on the first day, on the very night of the saved Last Supper” ().
Zosima realized that after he gave Mary communion a year ago, she was miraculously transported to this place, where he walked for 20 days, and reposed in the Lord. But here, too, the Lord showed him another miraculous sign: a huge lion, unknown how it ended up in this uninhabited place, began, at the command of the monk, to dig a grave pit with its claws for burial. Thus rested the long-suffering body of this great ascetic, who had nothing with her except that wretched, torn robe that she received from the holy elder.
This time Zosima already told everything that had happened to the abbot and the brethren, not hiding anything from them, but blessing God for His glorious miracles. As Patriarch Sophrony writes, the monks initially conveyed this story to each other orally, but when he found out, he decided to commit what he heard to scripture in order to preserve it for edification for future generations.
“May God give reward to those who honor this, and to those who listen, and to the one who commanded to write this story” ().
Venerable Mary of Egypt. Divine service
On the evening of Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent, a service is performed “ Mariino standing"with the reading of the Great Canon of Andrew of Crete. On each verse, the worshipers make three prostrations - throwings, there are 798 of them in total. And together with the prostrations at Vespers, Vespers and the Hours, about a thousand prostrations are obtained. On this day, the penitential Canon of Andrei of Crete is read in full.
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So that those praying can rest a little, according to the Church Charter, during the service the life of the great ascetic St. Mary, included in the Lenten Triodion, is read. On the following Sunday, the Church honors the memory of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. The canon of the saint was written by Simeon Metaphrastus.
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Troparion, tone 8:
About you, Mother Mary, the speed of salvation is known. Having accepted the cross, you followed Christ. Those who create and teach, even if they despise the flesh, will pass away, but be diligent about souls, things that are more immortal. In the same way, your holy spirit rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion, tone 4:
Having fled the darkness of sin, and having illuminated your heart with the light of repentance, you came to Christ. This most immaculate and holy Mother, brought a merciful intercessor. From this you will find remission from sin, and with the angels you will rejoice forever.
Venerable Mary of Egypt. Icons
According to tradition, the Venerable Mary of Egypt is depicted in icons naked or semi-naked, wrapped in part of the himation given to her by Zosima. The venerable may be depicted with her arms crossed on her chest, with a gesture of speaking, or with two open palms. On the icon depicting the Venerable Alexy the Man of God and Mary of Egypt from the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, we see a speaking gesture traditional for rhetoric, in which the index and middle fingers are slightly crossed, and the thumb, ring and little fingers are closed, borrowed from ancient culture. With these gestures, the saints addressed a prayer of repentance to God and to all the people who came to the temple.
Venerable Mary of Egypt and Alexy, man of God. From the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. Moscow, museum named after. Andrey Rublev. Mid-17th century In Russian icon painting of the mid-second half of the 17th century, patronal images of the Venerable Mary of Egypt and Alexy, the man of God, the heavenly patrons of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and his first wife Maria Miloslavskaya, were widespread. Miloslavskaya considered her her heavenly patroness. Often the Venerable Mary of Egypt is depicted with Saint Zosima in episodes that are described in the iconographic original as follows: “... Mary stands naked, and Zosima gives the mantle, looking back. In another place, Zosima gives the sacrament of the Holy Mysteries, they stand by the Jordan River, a low mountain above the Jordan, near their trees, befitting desert places, are depicted” (Filimonov. Iconographic original.).
Venerable Zosima and Maria. Pill icon. Rus. 16th century 
Venerable Zosima and Mary of Egypt. Greece, Athos, Dionysiatus Monastery. Until 1577 
Episodes from the Life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. Stroganov icon-painting facial original. April 1 (fragment). Rus. End of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. (published in Moscow in 1869). In 1868 it belonged to Count Sergei Grigorievich Stroganov
An icon with the life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt of the second half - the end of the 14th century is known from the sacristy of the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos; its entire field is occupied by sixteen stamps, which illustrate individual scenes from the life of the saint.
Icon with the life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. Athos, Hilandar. XIV century In Rus', hagiographic icons of Mary of Egypt became widespread in the 17th century, which is connected, as mentioned above, with the fact that the Venerable One was the patron saint of the holy queen Mary Ilyinichna of Miloslavskaya.
Icon of the Venerable Mary of Egypt with her life. 17th century In addition to half-length and full-length images of the Venerable Mary of Egypt, the plot of the communion of Mary by the Venerable Zosima became widespread in Byzantine and Old Russian art. In Byzantine painting, a stable iconographic scheme for this plot developed. Elder Zosima and the Venerable Mary of Egypt are depicted full-length, facing each other half-turned. Saint Zosima is dressed in a monastic cassock, a mantle and a doll, usually removed from the head. In one hand he holds a cup with the Holy Gifts, in the other - a spoon, which he brings to the lips of Mary. The Venerable Mary is depicted with her head uncovered, dressed in rags. Her thin arms are folded crosswise on her chest or extended to the Holy Chalice in a prayerful gesture.
Communion of the Venerable Mary. Fresco. Church of St. Andrei on Treska in Macedonia. Serbian Orthodox Church. 1388 - 1389 
Reverend Maria. Miniature. Byzantium 
Reverend Maria. Dionysius. Fresco. Ferapontovo. 1502 
Venerable Mary of Egypt with her life. Nativity Cathedral at Rogozhskoye Cemetery in Moscow
In manuscript miniatures, the story of Zosima and the Venerable Mary became the subject for illustration of the Psalter. For example, in the Kyiv Psalter (1397) two events are connected: a meeting in the rocks (Zosima turns away, holding out his outer garment to Mary); Below, on the shore, Zosima gives communion to Mary.
Meeting of Saints Zosima of Palestine and Mary of Egypt. Miniature from the Kiev-Pechersk Psalter. 1397 (RNB. OLDP. F. 6. L. 175 vol.) Venerable Mary of Egypt. Paintings
Such world painters as Giotto and Jose Ribera turned to scenes from the life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt.
“Elder Zosima gives the himation to Mary Magdalene.” Fresco by Giotto in the Magdalene Chapel of the lower Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, 1320s 
"Mary of Egypt". Jose Ribera. 1641
Temples in the name of St. Mary of Egypt
In Jerusalem, in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is located chapel in honor of St. Mary of Egypt. The chapel belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. In the name of the Venerable Mary of Egypt it was consecrated Church of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow and was located east of the cathedral. The wooden temple was built in 1358. Tradition connects its construction with the execution at this place, Kuchkovo Pole, of the thousand-year-old Ivan Vasilyevich Velyaminov and his accomplice, the merchant Nekomata, whom the people considered to have suffered for the truth. In 1482, a stone church was rebuilt. In 1700, part of the relics of Mary of Egypt, brought from Constantinople by Ambassador Emelyan Ukraintsev, was placed in it. In February 1707 they were moved to the monastery cathedral. The chapel of the Presentation of the Lord was built in 1706 by manufacturer A. Milyutin. In 1784, the church was renovated with funds from A. Goncharov. Since 1832, there have been no services in the church due to its dilapidation. In 1883, the outside walls were covered with iron hoops, and supports were placed inside. In 1930, the church was destroyed and a vacant lot appeared in its place. In the 1930s When dismantling the temple, it was established that it was built no later than the 16th century.
Nikolskaya Church and St. Mary of Egypt. Photo from the book “Moscow Sretensky Monastery”. Comp. Hieromonk Joseph. M., 1911 It is unknown about Old Believer churches consecrated in the name of the Venerable Mary of Egypt.
Folk traditions on the day of memory of Mary of Egypt
The Russian people associated the name of Mary of Egypt with the legendary idea of an afterlife court, in which Mary would supposedly judge all harlots. As the peasants said, Mary can “put a lost son on the first step” and, through the prayer of her parents, save her daughter from a life of fornication. The peasants spent the day of remembrance of the Venerable Mary in abstinence. In the Tambov province and some other places on this day there was a custom of eating nothing but empty cabbage soup.
This day was also popularly called Empty cabbage soup. This was due to the fact that by this time the supply of sauerkraut was running out, so the cabbage soup on the table was liquid. Instead of cabbage, housewives added sorrel or nettle to cabbage soup.
Soulful teaching on the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Church songwriters call the Venerable Mary of Egypt “ lamp of repentance": her example serves as an obvious indicator of how, from the very abyss of the fall, true repentance can lead to heavenly purity. Therefore, even the most lost sinners should not despair: God’s mercy is always open to us, if only we ourselves hasten to turn to it. But we should remember that the “story of the prodigal son,” according to the interpretation of the Holy Fathers, is not only the joy of the first meeting, but also the subsequent persistent, daily work to change one’s skill from sin to virtue. And the work here can be double, compared to the eldest son who has not sinned, as, say, for a farmer who neglected his field for a long time, but in the end still decided to clean it out.
Without a doubt, reading hagiographic stories always has a beneficial effect on the spiritual growth of the inner person. For even if we do not have enough faith and strength to strive like the first saints, we can at least modestly exercise ourselves in small feats, making up for our shortcomings with humility and contrition of heart, which the Lord never rejects. It should be remembered that the commandments of God are not subject to the whims of changing fashion, and the Truth from Above does not change over time. Today, such a way of life, which the Egyptian hermit so diligently repented of, is becoming almost the norm, intensively imposed on Russian girls from Western countries. It's easy to sin, but is it easy to correct yourself later? A grave sin for the soul is like a mortal disease for the body, which is overcome with much suffering and effort and which can have its consequences for the rest of your life. Therefore, given the unsightly situation of today, one should especially fervently pray to the Venerable Mary, asking for her help in temptation from fornication, as well as spiritual admonition to repentance for those who have sinned. For it is known that there is no sin that could defeat the mercy of God, except unrepentant sin.
1-10. “The month of April, on the first day, the life and life of our venerable mother Mary of Egypt. Copied by Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem." Lenten Triodion.
Listen to the life of St. Mary of Egypt
Brief Life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt
The Great Mary, nicknamed Egypt, lived in the middle of the 5th century and in the beginning of the 6th century. Her youth was not a precursor to anything good. Maria was only half-twenty years old when she left her home in the city of Aleksandria. Being free from her birth control, young and inexperienced, Maria became carried away by the fateful life. There was no one to stop her on the way to death, and there were a lot of bla-s and blas-news. So for 17 years Maria lived in sins, until the kind Lord converted her to the right way.
It happened like this. Due to the circumstances, Maria joined the group of pa-lom-niks who went to the Holy Place Earth. Sailing with the pa-lom-ni-ka-mi on the co-rab-le, Ma-ria can’t stop seducing people and sinning. Arriving in Jerusalem, she joined the pilgrims who went to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ -va.
A huge crowd of people entered the temple, and Maria at the entrance stopped with an invisible hand and no way. ki-mi usi-li-i-mi could not enter it. Then she realized that the Lord would not allow her to enter the holy place because of her uncleanliness.
Seized with horror and a feeling of deep-ness, she began to beg God to forgive her sins, promising to fundamentally -edit your life. Seeing God at the entrance to the temple, Ma-riya began to ask God to drink for her. ed by God. After this, she immediately felt a light in her soul and entered the temple without hindrance. Shedding copious tears at the tomb of the Lord, she left the temple as a completely different person.
Maria fulfilled her promise to change her life. From Jerusalem, she retreated to the harsh and deserted Jordan desert, and there she lived for almost half a century. lived in complete solitude, in fasting and prayer. So su-ro-you-move-mi Ma-ria of Egypt so-vers-shen-but is-to-re-ni-la in herself all the sins -same and de-la-la your heart as a pure temple of the Holy Spirit.
Elder Zo-si-ma, who lived in the Jordan Monastery of St. John the Lord, God's plan was for them to meet in the desert with the Most Holy Mary, who -when she was already a deep old woman. He was amazed by her holiness and gift of vision. One day he saw her while praying, as if standing above the earth, and another time, walking across the river Jordan. given, as if by land.
Having parted ways with Zo-si-my, the very kind Maria asked him to come again a year later to the desert in order to pri-cha- style her. The elder returned at the appointed time and communed with the Most Holy Mary of the Holy Ta-in. Then, coming to the desert another year later, hoping to see the saint, he no longer found her alive. The old man buried the remains of St. Mary there in the desert, in which he was helped by a lion, whose claws dug a hole for the burial of the body of the righteous -ni-tsy. This would have been close in 521.
So from a great sinner, the most excellent Mary became, with God’s help, a great saint and remained -vi-la such a bright example of po-ka-i-niya.
The complete life of the Most Holy Mary of Egypt
In one Pa-lestin monastery in the outskirts of Ke-sa-ria lived the great monk Zo-si-ma. Given to the monastery from his childhood, he stayed there until he was 53 years old, when he was embarrassed by the thought: “Nai “Is there a holy man who has surpassed me in sobriety and deeds in the most distant desert?”
As soon as he thought this way, the Angel of God appeared to him one day and said: “You, Zo-si-ma, according to man’s place... It’s not bad, but there is not a single righteous person among the people (). So that you cheer, how many other and higher -the call of the spa-se-niya, get out of this abode, like Av-ra-am from his father’s house (), and go to the a nuisance, settled near the Jordan."
That hour Av-va Zo-si-ma left the monastery and, following An-gel, came to the Jordan monastery and sat down -sya in it.
Here he saw the elders, who truly appeared in their deeds. Av-va Zo-si-ma began to help the holy monks in the spiritual de-la-niya.
So a lot of time passed, and the Holy Holy One came close. There was a custom in the monastery, for the sake of which God brought the venerable Zo-si here. mu. On the first Sunday of the Great, the abbot served the Divine Li-tur-gy, everyone partook of the Most Holy the pure Body and Blood of Christ, then ate a small meal and gathered again in the church.
Having co-created a prayer and a full number of earthly clones, elders, having asked each other for forgiveness, sang a blessing from the abbot and accompanied by the general singing of the psalm “The Lord is my illumination and my Savior: to "What kind of slaughter? Lord, Protector of my life: from whom am I escaping?" () open the mo-na-styr-skie gates and the ear-di-li-into the pu-sty-nu.
Each of them took with him a moderate amount of food, some needed what, some and nothing at all didn't they go to the desert and drink the ko-re-nya-mi. Ino-ki moved beyond the Jordan and walked as far as possible, so as not to see how someone stood and watched. za-et-sya.
When the Great Lent ended, the monks returned to the monastery for Palm Sunday with fruit your own de-la-niya (), having examined your conscience (). At the same time, no one asked anyone how he worked and accomplished his feat.
That year, Ab-va Zo-si-ma, according to my custom, crossed the Jordan. He wanted to go deeper into the wilderness to meet one of the saints and great elders, the savior. those who are there and pray for peace.
He walked through the desert for 20 days and one day, when he was singing the psalms of the 6th hour and doing the usual prayers, suddenly there was a seemed like the shadow of a man's body. He was horrified, thinking that he was seeing a demonic apparition, but, having crossed himself, he put aside his fear and, windowing I prayed, turned to the hundred and saw a man walking through the desert about a woman -ka, someone’s body was black from the sun’s heat, and you’re roaring short-mouthed hair -le-li, like a lamb-chee ru-but. Av-va Zo-si-ma got excited, because during these days I haven’t seen a single living creature, and immediately went to his shop.
But as soon as the deserted nick saw Zo-si-mu coming towards him, he immediately started to run away from him. Av-va Zo-si-ma, forgetting his old age's weakness and fatigue, quickened his pace. But soon he, in a state of inability, remained by the dry stream and began to tearfully beg for the darling moving: “Why are you running away from me, a sinful old man, who is s-sleeping in this desert? Wait for me- Nya, weak and unworthy, and give me your holy prayer and blessings, for the sake of the Lord, I don’t bend-sha-she-go-sha-ever-by-anyone.”
The unknown, without turning around, shouted to him: “Sorry, Av-va Zo-si-ma, I can’t, turn around, show - to your face: I’m a woman, and, as you can see, I don’t have any clothes on to cover my body. go-you. But if you want to pray for me, the great and ok-sinner, throw me your cloak to cover yourself, then- when I can come to you under your blessing."
“She wouldn’t have known me by name, if she hadn’t acquired da-ra about the holiness and ignorance of our movements.” “It’s a good look from the Lord,” thought Av-va Zo-si-ma and hurried to fulfill what was said to him.
Covering herself with a cloak, she moved and turned to Zo-si-ma: “What’s on your mind, Ab-va Zo-si-ma, talk to me, a sinful and unwise woman? What do you want to learn from me and, sparing no effort, -have you done so much work?" He, bowing down to the woman, asked her for a blessing. In the same way, she bowed down before him, and for a long time both of them said to each other: “Bless the words.” Finally she said something; “Av-va Zo-si-ma, you have the right to say the blessing and pray for it, since you are honored by the rank of the pre- Sw-ter-skim and many years, standing before Christ al-ta-ryu, you receive the Holy Gifts of the Lord.”
These words terrified the pre-excellent Zo-si-mu even more. With a deep sigh, he answered her: “Oh, spiritual mother! It is clear that you, of the two of us, have come closer to Bo- gu and died for the world. You recognized me by name and called me first, you had never seen me before "Your life is above and it is good to say to me, Lord, for God's sake."
Having finally yielded to Zo-sima’s persistence, she said: “Blessed is God, who wants spa-ness to all people." Av-va Zo-si-ma said “Amen”, and they got up from the ground. Po-dvi-tsa again said to the old man: “Why did you come to me, you sinner, deprived of everything?” -what kind of good? Well, I will serve as my soul requires. Tell me first, oh, how Christians live now, how it is here and how blessed it is. “Are there holy Churches of God?”
Av-va Zo-si-ma answered her: “Your holy ones, pray for God to grant the Church and to all of us perfection.” - world. But heed the prayer of the unworthy old man, my mother, pray, for the sake of God, for the whole world and for me, sinner “But, don’t let this deserted walk be fruitless for me.”
The holy movement said: “You will soon lie down, Av-va Zo-si-ma, having a holy rank, for me and pray for everyone. That's why you were given the rank. However, everything that was commanded to me was willingly fulfilled in obedience - knowledge of the Truth and from a pure heart."
Having said so, the saint turned to the east and, raising her eyes and raising her hands to the sky, began to pray -xia. The old man saw how she rose in the air to an elbow off the ground. From this miraculous vision, Zo-sima fell prostrate, praying fervently and not daring to pro- ceed anything, except me "Gossip, please!"
A thought came into his mind - is this vision leading him into temptation? The Pre-precious one moved, turned around, picked him up from the ground and said: “What are you talking about, Av-va Zo-si -Ma, are my thoughts so confusing? I don’t see myself. I’m a sinful and unworthy woman, although I’m a fence. at holy baptism."
Having said this, she signed herself with the sign of the cross. Seeing and hearing this, the old man fell with tears at the feet of the mover: “I beg you by Christ, our God, not hide your moving life from me, but tell it all, in order to make the great things of God clear to everyone. -I swear to my Lord God, by Him you also live, that for this reason I was sent to this desert, so that all your fasts would not God made such deeds manifest to the world."
And the holy one said: “I’m embarrassed to tell you about my shameless deeds.” For you must then run away from me, closing your eyes and ears, as you would run from a poisonous snake. But still, I’ll tell you, Father, without keeping silent about any of my sins, I implore you, don’t stop praying for me, a sinner. , yes, I’m going to show daring on the Day of Su-da.
I was born in Egypt and while I was still alive, twenty years old, I left them and went to Aleksandr. san-driu. I lost my whole wisdom there and indulged in unrestrained and insatiable love. For more than seven-ten years, it was impossible to fight, but I gave in to sin and did it all without retribution. I didn’t take the money in the wrong way, that would be a bo-ga-ta. I lived in poverty and for ra-ba-you-va-la yarn. I thought that the whole meaning of life lies in satisfying the carnal desire.
About such a life, I once saw a lot of people from Libya and Egypt marching to the sea, to sail to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Resurrection of the Holy Cross. I wanted to swim with them too. But not for the sake of Jeru-sa-li-ma and not for the sake of celebrating, but - forgive me, father - so that there would be more someone to talk to once again. So I boarded the ship.
Now, believe me, I’m surprised at how the sea erased my race and love, how the earth did not open its mouth and did not send me alive to hell, having deceived and killed so many souls... But , apparently, God wanted me for my life, not wanting the death of a sinner and waiting for a long time about-ra-sche-nii.
So I arrived in Jerusalem and all the days before the holiday, as on the ship, I did bad things .
When the holy feast of the Movement of Honor on the Cross of the Lord arrived, I still went, catch -causing the souls of the young into sin. Seeing that everyone had gone to the church very early, where the Living Tree was going, I went along I walked with everyone and entered the church vestibule. When the hour of the Holy Movement arrived, I wanted to go into the church with all the people. With great difficulty I made my way to the door, and, oh-yang-y, I tried to squeeze inside. But as soon as I stepped on the threshold, a certain Divine force stopped me, not allowing me to enter, and bro-si-la far from the door, while all the people walked unhindered. I thought that maybe, due to the woman’s weakness, I couldn’t fit in the crowd, and again I tried - she started to talk to the people and make her way to the door. No matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t get in. As soon as my foot left the church, I stayed. The church welcomed everyone, didn’t let anyone in, and they didn’t let me in, dammit. This happened three or four times. My strength is gone. I walked away and stood in the corner of the church.
Then I felt that it was my sins that allowed me to see the Living Tree, my heart. I touched the blessing of the Lord, I burst into tears and began to beat myself in the chest. The Lord arose from the depths of my heart, I saw before me an icon of the Most Holy Bo-go-ro -di-tsy and turned to her with a prayer: “O De-vo, Lord, who gave birth to the flesh of God-the-Word "I know that I am not worthy to look at Your icon. It is right for me, my fornication, to be rejected from Yours." She is pure and you should be an abomination for You, but I also know that for this reason God became a man, in order to call sinners to -I-nie. Help me, Most Pure One, may I be allowed to enter the church. Do not forbid me to see the Dre- in which the Lord was crucified, shedding His innocent Blood for me, a sinner, for my salvation from sin. Please, Vlady-chi-tse, let the doors of the holy veneration of the Cross open for me too. You be flattering to me to give you nothing to Ro-div-she-mu from You. I promise You from now on not to defile myself any more with any carnal filth, but as soon as I see the Tree of the Cross of Thy Son, I will bite from the world and immediately go away to where you are putting me in.”
And when I prayed like that, I suddenly felt that my prayer was right. In the spirit of faith, relying on the Sweet-hearted God, I again joined in with those entering to the temple, and no one pushed me away or stopped me from entering. I walked in fear and trembling until I reached the door and was able to see the Living Cross of the Lord every day .
So I knew the secrets of God and that God was ready to accept those who repented. I fell to the ground, prayed, prayed for the saint, and left the temple, hastening to appear before the priest again. It's okay to give her a hint, where yes, but there was a promise from me. I bowed before the icon, and so I prayed before it:
"Oh Bla-go-love-bi-vaya Vlad-dy-chi-tse na-sha Bo-go-ro-di-tse! You didn’t get excited, pray-you’re dis-satisfied with me- stop. Glory to God, I accept You for the sake of sinners. The time has come for me to use both scha-nie, in which You were Po-ru-chi-tel-no-tsei. nia".
And so, before you’ve finished your prayer, I hear a voice, as if speaking from somewhere: “If you cross for the Jordan, then you will have blessed peace."
I immediately believed that this voice was for me, and, crying, I shouted to Bo-go-ro-di-tse: " Lord Vlady-chi-tse, don’t leave me, I’m a nasty sinner, but help me,” and immediately she left the church- but she did it and walked away. One man gave me three copper coins. With them I bought three loaves of bread for myself and from the seller I learned the way to the Jordan.
On the way I reached the church of St. John the Cross near Jordan. Having knelt first in the church, I immediately went down to Jordan and washed his face and hand with holy water. ki. Then I took part in the temple of St. John the Pre-pure and Living Mysteries of Christ, ate a lo-vi-well from one of her loaves, drank it with holy Jordan water and slept that night ground near the temple. In the morning, having found a small boat not far away, I moved in it across the river to the other bank and again it was hot I prayed to stand before me, so that She would look upon me as She would please. Immediately after that I came to this desert."
Av-va Zo-si-ma asked the pre-dob-noy: “How many years, my mother, have passed since the time you -was in this desert?" “I think,” she said, “47 years have passed since I left the Holy City.”
Av-va Zo-si-ma asked again: “What do you have or what do you want here, my mother?” And she said: “There were two half-bread with me when I crossed the Jordan, and they They dried up and their eyes didn’t, and, having eaten little, I drank from them for many years.”
Av-va Zo-si-ma asked again: “Have you really been without illnesses for so many years? And you haven’t used any nothing from sudden attacks and temptations?" - “Trust me, Ab-va Zo-si-ma,” from-ve-cha-la the pre-po-dob-naya, “I spent 17 years in this desert, word-with-love -you're an animal, fighting with your own thoughts... When I'm about to eat pi-shu, that's the hour I thought about meat and fish, to which I had become accustomed in Egypt. that I drank it a lot when I was in the world, but here, having often no simple water and food, I suffered a lot from thirst and hunger. , they seemed to be heard to me, confusing my heart and ears. Crying and beating my chest, I remembered when both of you, someone -rye-da-va-la, walking into the desert, in front of the icon of the Holy God-ro-di-tsy, Hand-hand-tsy my-her, and weep-ka-la , please, drive away the terrified thoughts. No, I saw the Light appearing from all over me, and then instead of bu-ri, a great ti-shi- came around me. on the.
Prodigal thoughts, forgive me, oh, how do I tell you? A passionate fire burned inside my heart and scorched me all over, arousing me at least. When my thoughts appeared, I fell to the ground and saw that Sa was standing in front of me -Ma the Most Holy Po-ru-chi-tel-ni-tsa and judges me, having broken the given promise. So I didn’t get up, I lay prostrate day and night on the ground, until the same thing happened again and I was surrounded by the same the blessed Light, which has driven away evil confusion and thoughts.
So I lived in this desert for the first seventeen years. Darkness after darkness, trouble after worry about me, a sinner. But from that time until now, God, my Help, guides me in everything.”
Av-va Zo-si-ma asked again: “Didn’t you really need food or clothes here?”
She said: “If only my bread had run out, as I said, in these seventeen years. After that, I became pi- to hide with the co-re-nya-mi and with what I could find in the desert... The dress that I was wearing when I crossed Jordan, long ago it was torn and decayed, and I had to endure a lot and suffer from the heat, when I -it was hot, and from the winter, when I was shaking from the cold. How many times did I fall to the ground as if dead. once in an immeasurable bo-re-re-nii, there would be-wa-la with different personalities on-pa-sty-mi, be-da-mi and is-ku-she-ni-ya -mi. But from that time until now, the power of God is unknown and many times with-blue-da- for my sinful soul and humble body. (), for man will not live on bread alone, but on everyone who is the word of God (;), and those who have no -blood ka-me-ni-em about-le-kut-sya (), if owing to sin-clothing (). -na-la, from how much evil and what sins the Lord has caused me, in that na-ho-di-la I squeak indescribably- I'm washing."
When Av-va Zo-si-ma heard that from the Holy Pi-sa-niy the holy movement was speaking in memory - from the books of Moses and Job and from the psalms of Da-vi-do-vykh, - then he asked the most like: “Where, my mother, did you learn the psalms - mothers and other books?"
She smiled, having heard this question, and responded like this: “Believe me, man of God, don’t see a single thing.” -there hasn't been a person besides you since the Jordan crossed. I've never studied books before, neither the singing of the church was heard, nor the divine reading, except perhaps the very Word of God, living and everything-creative, teaches man everything-to-the-reason (; ;).However, quite freely, I have already used all my life ve-da-la to you, but with what na-chi-na-la, that’s the end of it: I call you in the incarnation of God-Slo -va-prayed, holy av-va, for me, the great sinner.
And I also swear to you by the Savior of our Lord Jesus Christ - all that you heard from me, without saying I won’t eat anything until God takes me away from the earth. And it doesn’t do anything about what I’m going to tell you right now. Next year, during Lent, do not go beyond the Jordan, as your foreign custom dictates.”
Again Av-va Zo-si-ma was surprised that their rank was mo-na-styr-sky from the holy-mov-tse, although he was not about her -said not a single word about it.
“Be-well, a-w-wah,” said the pre-po-dol-naya, “in the monastery. However, if you want -from the mo-na-sta-rya, you won’t be able to... And when the holy Ma-ly Thursday comes -hey, put into the holy co-court the Living Body and Blood of Christ, our God, and with-you me. Wait for me on the other side of Jordan, at the edge of the desert, so that when I come, I can partake of the Holy Ta-ins. And av- ve Ioan-well, Igu-me-nu your obi-te-li, so say: pay attention to yourself and become your own ().However, I don’t want so that you tell him this now, but when the Lord will show you."
Having said so and asked prayers again, the pre-precious one turned back and went into the depths of the desert.
All year long, Elder Zo-si-ma remained in silence, not daring to reveal to anyone what the Lord had revealed to him, and diligently could prayed that the Lord would help him to see the saint in action once again.
When again the first gray-haired-tsa of the holy Ve-li-co-hundred came, the venerable Zo-si-ma from- for illness I had to stay in the monastery. That's when he remembered the pro-ro-che-words of the great one about how he wouldn't be able to get out of the monastery. After several days, the very same Zo-si-ma recovered from his illness, but still remained until the Passion Week in mo-na-sty-re.
The day was approaching for the re-examination of the Tai-che-ri. That's when Av-va Zo-si-ma fulfilled what was commanded to him - late in the evening he left the monastery to the Jordan and sat down on the bank, waiting. Holy honey, and Av-va Zo-si-ma prayed to God so that He would not deprive him of a meeting with the movement.
Finally, the very good one came and stood along the other side of the river. Rejoicing, the venerable Zo-si-ma stood up and glorified God. A thought occurred to him: how could she cross the Jordan without a boat? But the venerable one, re-crossing the Jordan with the sign of the cross, quickly walked along the water. When the old man wanted to bow to her, she stopped him, shouting from the river: “What are you doing? "Ab-va? After all, you are a priest, but a si-tel of the great Secrets of God."
Per-rey-dya re-ku, pre-po-do-naya say-za-la av-ve Zo-si-me: “Bla-go-slo-vi, from-che.” He answered her with trepidation, horrified by the wondrous vision: “Indeed, God, who promised to trust to achieve the cleansing of all those who are as mortal as possible. Glory to You, Christ our God, bye-bye “To me, through My holy servant, how far from the measure of perfection I stand.”
After this, the most kindly asked him to recite “I Believe” and “Our Father.” At the end of your prayer, she, having partaken of the Holy Terrible Ta-ins of Christ, wiped her hands to the sky and with tears -mi and tr-pe-the-from-la mo-lit-vu of the holy Si-meo-on God-pri-im-tsa: “Now from-pu-sha-e- Shea thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word be with the world, as my eyes have seen Thy salvation.”
Then again the most kindly turned to the old man and said: “Forgive me, av-va, I still used up my other -la-nie. Now go to your monastery, and next year come to that dried-up place where This is the first time we've talked to you." “If it were possible for me,” said Av-va Zo-si-ma, “I would constantly go after you in order to see your holiness!" The Most-pre-loved again asked the old man: “Pray, Lord, pray for me and remember my oka-yan -stvo". And, making the sign of the cross over the Jordan, she, as before, walked across the waters and disappeared into the darkness of the desert. And the old man Zo-si-ma returned to the monastery in a spiritual spirit and trembling and reproached him for one thing - I didn’t ask for the name of the first one. But he hoped to finally find out her name the next year.
A year passed, and Av-va Zo-si-ma again left for the desert. Praying, he reached the is-ho-she-way, on the eastern side he saw a saint moving. nope. She was lying dead, with her folds, as if they were banging, on her chest, with her face turned towards Vo. -hundred. Av-va Zo-si-ma washed her feet, not daring to touch her body, cried for a long time over the deceased as she moved and He began to sing psalms that mourn the death of the righteous, and read the prayers of the righteous. But he asked me whether he would please her if he rowed her. As soon as he thought about it, he saw that the head of it was in the devil: “By the way, av-va Zo-si-ma, on this me- Thank you to the humble Mary. Give me the dust of the feather. Pray to the Lord for me, for the month to come. ap-re-la on the first day, on the very night of Christ’s savior-giving sufferings, according to the participation of the Divine Tai -noy Ve-che-ri."
Having read this inscription, Av-va Zo-si-ma wondered who could have made it, for she herself did not know the movement. la gra-mo-you. But he was glad to finally know her name. Av-va Zo-si-ma understood that the Most Holy Mary, having received the Holy Mysteries on the Jordan from his hands, instantly - she walked her long, deserted path, along which he, Zo-sima, walked for twenty days, and immediately went to the Lord.
Having glorified God and washed the earth and the body of the most beautiful Mary, Av-va Zo-si-ma said to himself: “It’s time for you, old man Zo-si-ma, to do as you were told. But how can you, oka-yan-ny, is -to-gather mo-gi-lu without having anything in hand? Having said this, he saw a trusty tree lying somewhere in the desert, took it and began to dig. But the earth was too dry, no matter how hard he dug, and then washed himself, he could not do anything. Having straightened up, Av-va Zo-si-ma saw a huge lion near the body of the Most Like Mary, which licked her hundred -py. The old man was overcome by fear, but he crossed himself with the sign of the cross, believing that he would remain unharmed by the holy prayer in motion. Then the lion began to caress the old man, and Ab-va Zo-si-ma, rising in spirit, ordered the lion to go -gi-lu, to give the body of Saint Mary to the earth. According to his word, the lion la-pa-mi is-co-fell the ditch, in which it was rowed, but the body is just as good. Is-pol-niv for-things, each went his own way: the lion - to the desert, and Av-va Zo-si-ma - to the mo- damn, bless and praise Christ, our God.
Arriving at the monastery, Av-va Zo-si-ma told mo-na-boor and ighu-me-nu that he saw and heard from the pre-dear Ma -rii. Everyone was amazed, hearing about the greatness of God, and with fear, faith and love, they decided to create memory Most Like Mary and count the day of her repose. Av-va John, hegu-men of the monastery, according to the word of the Most Holy One, with the help of God, corrected in the monastery what over-le-sting-lo. Av-va Zo-si-ma, who was still alive, God-pleasingly, in the same monastery and a little short of living to be a hundred years old, ended his time here -new life, pass into eternal life.
So did the ancients give us the wondrous news about the life of the Most Holy Mary of Egypt in the movement of the glorious abode? -Is the saint of all-x-val-no-go Pre-the Lord under John, who lived on the Jordan. This news was originally not for them, but it was transmitted blissfully to the saints old men from mentors to students.
“I am,” says Saint So-froniy, ar-hi-bishop of Jerusalem (March 11), first opis-sa -tel Life, - which he received in his turn from the holy fathers, he gave everything to the written message.
God, who creates great chu-de-sa and ve-li-ki-mi da-ro-va-ni-ya-mi, rewards everyone, with faith to To him, let us re-read, and listen, and give us this information -news and will give us a good share with the blessed Mary of Egypt and with all the saints, God-thought- I eat and work for my own sake to please God from eternity. May we, too, give glory to God the King forever, and let us also be blessed with mercy on the Day of Judgment in Christ Jesus, Our Lord, He deserves all the glory, honor, and power, and worship with the Father, and the Lord. the holy and living-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
Original taken from mon_sofia in THE RIDDLE OF MARIA Marina Biryukova
Venerable Mary of Egypt
Mary of Egypt is perhaps the only holy woman depicted on icons with her head uncovered. With short white hair. With dead, brittle hair, dried and bleached by the merciless desert sun. This portrait detail is reflected in the life - a rare case.
And not only is her head uncovered in the icons, but she herself is barely covered by the cloak of Elder Zosima, who, as is known, found her in the Trans-Jordanian desert in the 47th year of her hermitage.
The week of Mary of Egypt is approaching - I feel that I definitely need her icon. This was not the case in previous years. Every year, every Lent, I... what, think about her more and more? No, rather, I feel it more and more deeply, although I cannot explain this feeling to myself. How is she present in my life, in my soul, this Egyptian woman, the repentant harlot and hermit? Roughly, unchurchly speaking, why did she captivate me so much?..
I buy a small icon and find a place for it in the red corner of my home. “Reverend Mother Mary, pray to God for us” - this is how the Church sings at the beginning of Great Lent, and then - at Matins on Thursday of the fifth week, at St. Mary’s Station.
Why am I so looking forward to this Thursday, or rather Wednesday evening? A very long service, extremely tiring: the Great Canon of Andrew of Crete in its entirety, and even the Life of Mary, read - also a rare case! - in modern Russian... Why?.. If it’s really necessary, I could re-read it at home, especially since I’ve read it more than once. But what I’m looking forward to is reading the life in church - re-reading it at home can’t replace it for me. And am I alone? The Church on Mariino St. will be jam-packed, regardless of the weekday, this is already known. Why do we love her so much, this Mary of Egypt?
And why do I pray to her for love and mutual understanding, for overcoming conflicts and grievances, for softening hearts? Where did I get the idea that she would certainly help me in a painful situation involving another person? Did she become famous for her peacemaking, for the consolation of the grieving, the wounded, the offended, for the love she poured out on everyone?.. No, life says that she did not communicate with anyone at all except Elder Zosima during the entire time of her terrible desert feat.
I pray to Mary for one person, a deacon, who is now banned from ministry for actions incompatible with the priesthood. That is, for the street habit of resolving all disputes with fists, multiplied by an addiction to alcohol. A big man with a real deacon's bass voice, who also practiced boxing, he was a constant source of danger in the parish. It would be good if he barked at a woman who rustled a bag at the wrong time or dropped her keys on the stone floor. It would be good if he only came to the morning service with a hangover... However, he could repent and ask for forgiveness - both from the rector and from the same offended parishioner, he could kneel in front of her and kiss her hand, overcoming her resistance. They pitied him, this crazy deacon with a difficult childhood, he was punished and forgiven... until the cup of patience finally ran out. So why am I now praying for this man Mary of Egypt? Because he cried while reading her life in the temple. At first he tried to hide the tears that were coming, he sniffled, it seemed to everyone that he just had a cold, and then everything burst out. And this is also a mystery. What touched this man so much about the fate of the repentant harlot of Alexandria? In her desert feat?..
Of course, Mary will not leave neither the forbidden deacon, nor me, nor that person with whom I recently had a painful and incomprehensible conflict (he, by the way, loves her too), nor... Mary will not leave any of us, and we almost feel it physically - like a special warmth in the heart. If it settles in a person, then somewhere near the heart, it is like this - sorry, this is only according to my subjective feelings! - a certain feature of the presence of the Venerable Mary.
Mari's standing. Photo: Patriarchia.Ru
No matter how sad it is, no matter how much it reproaches us, our veneration of Mary of Egypt, our love for her in many (though not all, of course) cases does not have a direct, immediate connection with her feat - the feat of almost half a century of repentance - but has only an indirect connection. To truly understand what this woman was doing for 47 years in a row in a hot desert, strewn with black and white stones, without a single blade of grass, without a drop of moisture (whoever saw this desert even from the window of an air-conditioned bus can imagine...), you need to to truly see sin for yourself, to know its destructiveness, its destructiveness, to experience experimentally how sin separates us from God. And where are we to this, to a genuine vision of our sinfulness and horror of it! We have not grown up to this, but we love the ascetic of repentance, outstripping our own growth with this love.
It seems to me that many of us love Mary as the lion loved her, who licked her dead feet and then helped Elder Zosima dig a grave for her in the parched, petrified earth. What could this beast know about sin, repentance, forgiveness? He felt love - that heavenly one, lost with the fall of man, after which all creation groans and suffers together to this day (Rom. 8:22). I read somewhere about why animals were always friends with saints and served them: they felt the breath of Paradise with their animal souls. And it is not alien to us, sinners, to be drawn, even unconsciously, to the stream of heavenly air. But we cannot, of course, linger at this “bestial” or unaccountable stage - after all, we are people. And the example of the saints should teach us repentance.
But our love for Mary can be said differently. Rereading her life at home or listening to it in church, we see that she accomplished her feat... not out of fear of hellish torment, no! This motive is missing. Mary did this precisely out of the love for God that lived in her, despite her sinful and prodigal life. And love for Him is inseparable from love for man and is unthinkable without it. That is why we believe and know that the emaciated and naked Egyptian desert woman with white burnt hair loves us and will help us.
