Saint Athanasius
Coptic Orthodox Church

Saint Mary of Egypt

Short Version from the Coptic Synaxarium

On this day we celebrate the memory of our venerable mother Mary the Egyptian. St. Mary came from Egypt and lived during the time of Justinian the great in 520. She formerly lived in promiscuity and led many men to spiritual ruin through shameful pleasure. Since her childhood she fell into the evil works of the flesh and she remained in them, living in vice, for seventeen years. Then, she dedicated herself to asceticism and virtue. Apathy raised her so high that she could walk on water and on the rivers without sinking. When she prayed, she rose high above the ground and stood suspended in mid-air.

The reason for this kind of change and repentance was the following event: On the fourteenth of September, when the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross takes place in Jerusalem, many Christians come to Jerusalem from all over the world in order to see the Holy Cross. Then, this venerable woman went there together with some promiscuous and lustful young men, wishing to enter the church of the Holy Resurrection in order to see the life-giving Cross. However, she was invisibly prevented from doing this. She could neither enter nor see. So, she asked from our Lady Theotokos to guarantee that, if she were allowed to enter and see the Cross of the Lord, she would be prudent from that time on and she would never again pollute her body with desires and pleasures. When she accomplished what she wished, she kept her promise and crossing the river Jordan she went to the desert, where the thrice blessed woman lived for forty-seven years. She did not see another man. She only had God to watch over her. She fought so much that she rose above human nature and led an angelic and superhuman life on earth. Thus, she departed to the Lord in peace.

Her Complete Story

On my visit to the Holy Trinity Monastery at Jordanville, N.Y., I was thrilled to see the icon of St. Mary of Egypt occupying the principal place in the hall. In Paris there is a small chapel in the cathedral of "Notre Dame" carrying the same Saint. Also in the museum of arts in Philadelphia, there is a wonderful icon for this Egyptian ascetic.

IN THE WILDERNESS

At the beginning of Lent, the gates of the monastery by the river Jordan were opened, and the monks were going out singing their psalms. They crossed the river and scattered far and wide in different directions to spend the whole period of fast in the desert thinking of nothing except the fatherhood of God, devoting most of their time to the deepest fellowship with our Savior. On palm Sunday, they were accustomed to return to the monastery. Abbot Zosima went far and deep into the desert. He was contemplating the divine grace which helped him to live in one of the monasteries of Palestine, from his childhood till his early fifties...He was on and off with thoughts of pride asking himself, "Is there a monk on earth who could be of help to me and show me a kind of asceticism that I have not achieved? Is there a man to be found in the wilderness who has surpassed me?"

Suddenly an angel appeared to him and led him to the monastery by the river Jordan, where he witnessed ascetic practice and angelic life. He was humiliated in his own eyes.

On the 20th day of his spiritual journey, and while he was praying, he caught sight of something that looked like a human form, with long silver gray hair....

"Is it an illusion?"

"Is it a ghost?!"

"Is it the deceit of the devil?

He turned his sight and realized that it was a human form, naked, its skin was dark as if burned by the heat of the sun. He was overjoyed, hoping to find one of the hermits of the wilderness, who devoted all their lives to fellowship with the true friend Jesus Christ, our Savior. He ran in pursuit of that figure but it began to run away from him. When he approached it, he shouted, "why did you run away from me, O servant of God! Wait for me, in God's name, I tell you. Why do you flee from such an old man as me?" As he said these words he saw as if the human figure had fallen into a hole among the rocks. He knelt down and began to cry as a child, and the echo of his crying filled all the desert. "For Jesus' sake forgive me Abbot Zosima, for I cannot turn towards you. I am a woman and I am naked. Throw me your cloak so that I may cover my body and turn to you and ask for your blessing!"

He was astonished for she knew him and called him by his name. He threw his cloak, she picked it up and covered her body. Then she turned to Abbot Zosima and said, "Why did you wish, Abbot Zosima, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to learn or hear from me? He threw himself on the ground and asked for her blessing, but she bowed down before him saying, "Abbot Zosima, it is for you to give blessings. You have been blessed with the grace of priesthood, and for many years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries." But with tears he said to her, "O honorable mother, I see that you have died to the world. God granted you wonderful grace, for you have called me by name and recognized that I am a priest though you have never seen me before...I ask you to give me you blessing for God's sake for I need you prayers." In face of his supplications she was obliged to say, "Blessed be God who cares for the salvation of men and their souls." He answered, "Amen."

They rose up. Then she asked him, "Why have you come, man of God, to see such a woman who is naked and devoid of every virtue?!!" Then she asked him about the Christian peoples, the shepherds, and the kings. Abbot Zosima said, "By your holy prayers, O mother, Christ has granted peace to all. But I beseech you to pray for the whole world, and for me the sinner."

She replied, "You who are a priest, Abbot Zosima, pray for me and for all, for this is your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you ask." Then she turned to the east and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hand she began to pray for a long time...This is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, who opens the hearts of all men, so that, even he who is in the desert and does not see anybody, eagerly desires the salvation of all the world. Though she was in the desert, she was not in isolation from the church, but she was a living member, asking for all her brothers.

IN EGYPT

Waiting for a long time, he looked up at her while she was praying; then he fell on the ground weeping and repeating many times "Lord have mercy." He could see the woman's feet rising about a cubit from the earth as if she was flying. He doubted if she was a spirit or if her prayers were hypocritically said. At this moment she turned around towards him, lifted him up and crossed her body saying to him "May God, O Abbot Zosima, protect us from the evil one and from his snares, for his struggle against us is fierce!" Hearing and seeing this, he importunately asked her to tell him her story and how she had come to the wilderness, saying:

"I beseech you, for the sake of Christ our Lord who was born of the Virgin...hide not from me, you servant, who you are, and whence and when and how you have come to the wilderness. Tell me everything, that the mighty works of God be made manifest...for you shall not tell me these things for the sake of vain glory or for some other purpose but in order to disclose the truth to me, who am sinful and unworthy. I believe that God for whom you live and whom you serve, led me into this wilderness to show me His ways concerning you. It is not in your power to resist the plans of God..." She replied, "I am much ashamed, my father, to tell you about my disgraceful life. Forgive me for God's sake...I am not running away from vain glory as you have thought, but your ears cannot hear my wickedness. You will run from me as if from a snake." "I will tell you everything, I order that you may pray unceasingly for me, that I may find mercy in the day of judgement...."

Then she started to tell her story with tears...running down her cheeks: "My motherland was Egypt. When I was 12 hears old I rejected my parents' love and went to Alexandria." When I remember how I lost my virginity there at the very beginning and gave myself up to sensuality, I become ashamed. It is better to recount about all this briefly, so that you should know about my passion and my love for pleasure. When I was about 17 years, l lived like a fire of vice that burns people...I seduced many, not for the sake of gain, but often when they wished to pay me, I refused the money. I did not believe, but I used to say, "I shall do just as I like, and no one will stop me." Once I saw a large crowd of Libyans and Egyptians running towards the sea, I asked one of them, where these men were hurrying to. He replied, they were journeying to Jerusalem for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of our Lord which was to take place in a few days. I suddenly desired that I might go with them to have more new lovers who could satisfy my passion. In fact, I had no money to pay for the journey or for the food but I had my body which they could take instead of payment...How shall I narrate to you Abbot Zosima, what happened after this? I went to the shore and met some young men... I forced those miserable creatures to act even against their will...I entangled many and many in my net. I was the vessel of Satan! I was not contented with these youths but I seduced others in Jerusalem. In my stupidity, I used to boast that I could seduce many by my body, my shameful words, and impudent laughs."

ON THE DOOR STEP

At last in Jerusalem, I noticed crowds of pilgrims moving towards the church which is built on the Tomb of Christ. I was anxious to see what they would do there. I tried to enter the church with the crowd which was struggling to get through the doors, but suddenly I felt some power pushing me away from the door. All could enter easily but I could not; I felt that some force was pushing me to go back. At first I laughed secretly. I thought this might have been because I was tired or because of my weakness, being a woman. I did my best and tried to enter, and for the second time I was stopped. I was prevented from entering by a secret mighty force. Having repeated my attempt three or four times, I lost all my strength. I went aside and stood in a corner of the porch. I began to weep and lament and beat my breast and to sigh from the depth of my heart. "Why couldn't I enter? Were they my sins which prevented me from entering?" Then I looked up over the door and saw an icon of The Most Holy Mary the "Theotokos," and the purity of her complexion put me to shame. Now all my past miseries were clearly exhibited before my eyes and my sins tormented me. Then I knelt before the icon and begged for another chance to follow my Savior. I asked the Virgin's help. I asked my Savior to save me and lead me in His way. I vowed that, as soon as I had seen the Holy Tree of the Cross, I would renounce the world and its pleasures and would go wherever He would lead me. As I prayed, I found myself filled with confidence. I left the place where I stood praying and went again and mingled with the crowd which was struggling to get through the church doors. Now I had got as far as the doors which I could not reach before, I entered without difficulty and found myself within the holy place. Throwing myself on the ground I found myself within the holy place. Throwing myself on the ground I kissed the Holy Cross with tears and trembling. I forgot myself until midday. At last I came out of the church and stood by the icon of the Theotokos the Virgin, the place where I had made my vow. I shouted from my heart: "Glory to God who accepts the repentance of sinners through Thee, O Loving Lady. What more can I say, I who am so sinful? It is time for me, O Lady to fulfill my vow, Now lead me by the hand upon the path of repentance! Then I heard this voice, and believed that it was for me," If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest." Having heard this voice, I went and cried to the Theotokos, O Lady, forsake me not." With these words I came out of the entrance of the church and hurriedly set off on my journey. One of the pilgrims glanced at me and gave me three pieces of silver. I took them and bought three loaves of bread which I took for my journey...I passed the gates of the city and went on my journey, in tears. At sunset I reached the Church of St. John the Baptist which stood on the banks of the Jordan. I passed all night weeping in the church. In the morning I partook of the Holy Mysteries and went out to the shore and crossed to the other side. I found myself in the wilderness and all then up to this day I have been estranged from people, I have been living here cleaving to my God Who delivers all those who turn to Him, from all that defiles them and from all temptations that are stirred against them. Abbot Zosima asked her, "O lady, how many years have passed since you began to live in this wilderness?"

-About 47, I think.

-Have you lived all these years without suffering, because of the change that occurred in your life?

-You are asking me Abbot Zosima, about things that I tremble to speak about. If I call to mind all the hardships that I have overcome, all the terrible thoughts that have troubled me, I fear that I may come under their influence once more.

-Don't hide anything from me, my lady...

-Believe me, Abbot, I spent seventeen years in this wilderness fighting wild beasts. At first, life was extremely hard in the wilderness. I used to yearn for my past life, my friends, the good time we had spent together, and for all the food and drink and the fine things I used to have in Egypt. Here in the wilderness, it was hard to find even a drop of water to drink. I grieved sorely and was faint from thirst and hunger, and from the heat of the sun. Life was unbearable. I was often sick and I almost died. As the memories of my old life persisted in attacking me, I flung myself on the ground, in tears, I begged the Lord to help me...How can I tell you about the thoughts which urged me on towards lust once more? They were like a fire in my miserable heart which seemed to burn it up completely and roused in me the desire for pleasures. Finally I felt great peace in my soul, the Lord gave me what I wanted. I had mourned much for my wicked past and I was finally comforted by God...As Abbot Zosima heard her quoting extracts from the Scriptures, he asked her:

And where did you learn the Holy Scriptures?

I have not seen a human face since I crossed the Jordan, except yours today...I have not learned from books, but the Word of God Himself alive and acting, gives man knowledge, and this is the end of my story. As I asked you at the beginning, I now also beseech you by the Incarnate Word of God, to pray the Lord for me as I am a sinner. Having said this, she bowed her head for a moment, in meditation, then turned to Abbot Zosima again saying:

"I beseech you, holy father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, to tell nobody of what I told you until I am set free from this earth and now depart in peace. Next year in Lent, do not cross the Jordan as is the custom in the monastery. Stay there in the monastery, for even if you wished to go out, it would be impossible for you to do so. On Holy Thursday, wait for me on the banks of the Jordan with the life-giving Body and Blood of Christ in a sacred vessel." Then she disappeared in the depths of the wilderness.

Abbot Zosima, falling upon his knees, and prostrating himself upon the earth on which her feet had stood, gave glory and thanks to God, and again crossing that wilderness, he returned to the monastery on the same day that was assigned for the return of the monks. For a whole year he kept silent, not daring to tell anyone of what he had seen. He prayed to God to see her again. That year seemed very long to the saint who wished if it could be shortened into one single day.

When Lent began, he was very ill and lay in bed with fever, then he remained in the monastery as she had told him. On Maundy Thursday he took the life-giving Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and put into a basket along with some figs and dates and a small quantity of lentils that had been soaked in water. Having reached the bank of the Jordan he sat down waiting for her. He waited for a long time. Then he began to doubt that his unworthiness might have presented her from coming or that she had come and not finding him, she had gone back. Then he raised his eyes to heaven and began to pray asking God that he might see the face of the ascetic by God's will. After praying, he saw her coming on the surface of the water towards him, and when he wanted to prostrate himself before her she cried to him while still walking on the water, "What are you doing Abbot? You are a priest and you are carrying the Divine mysteries!!" With joy and peace, she asked him to bless her and took part in the holy Communion. She raised her arms towards heaven and sighed with tears, saying, "O Lord, now let Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation." She then looked towards the father and said, "Forgive me, Abbot for I have another favor to ask, go back now to the monastery and may the Grace of God preserve you. Next year, come again to the same place where you first met me. Come and you will see me again for such is the will of God." He answered her, "I long to go after you in the wilderness following your example." He asked her to take the small amount of food that he had brought her. She touched the lentils with the tip of her fingers and took three grains, put them in her mouth, saying that the grace of the Holy Spirit is sufficient to keep the nature of the soul undefiled, and again she asked him to pray for her. Then she crossed the Jordan passing over the water, and disappeared in the wilderness, and he went off sighing sorrowfully.

Another year passed, and he again went into the wilderness. He reached the same spot but he saw her dead body lying on the sand. Zosima felt very sad and knelt down beside her, weeping for a long time, praying the psalms that are suitable for such occasions... After a little while, he began to wonder where he should bury her body. But he noticed something written on the sand near her head, "Abbot Zosima, On the night of the Lord's passion, Maundy Thursday, I went to my Savior. Bury the body of humble Mary in this very place. Let dust return to dust and pray to the Lord for me..." Father Zosima was astonished how she returned to this place after her partaking of the Divine Communion last year on the same day at the same hour and died, and how her body remained without decay throughout the whole year. At that moment a lion came out of the woods, licked her feet and began to dig a hole large enough to bury the body. The father washed her feet with his tears, calling on her to pray for all, and then he covered the body with earth.

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