Desert Penitent
Saint Mary of Egypt
At a glance
- Feast
- April 1
- Region
- Judean Desert
- Virtues
- repentance, perseverance, purity
Tags
After a youth of grave sin, Mary was barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre until she begged the Theotokos for mercy. Granted entry, she encountered the Cross and vowed a new life of repentance.
She crossed the Jordan with only three loaves of bread, surviving in the desert for over forty years through prayer and the grace of God. Her meeting with Elder Zosimas revealed a soul transfigured by repentance, capable of walking on water and reading hearts.
Her story is read each Great Lent to remind the faithful that no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness and that perseverance in prayer heals even the deepest wounds.
Troparion
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother, for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away, but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. Therefore your spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoices with the Angels.
Kontakion
By the great deeds you accomplished, having cut off the passions of your soul and body, you were revealed as a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Therefore you obtained heavenly gifts, O glorious Mary.
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