Story Summary
Explore the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, a former sinner turned desert ascetic whose story of radical penance and divine grace remains a spiritual masterpiece.
In the fifth century, a monk named Zosimas wandered into the desert beyond the Jordan, seeking a soul more advanced in holiness than himself. He encountered a figure, withered and blackened by the sun, with hair as white as wool. This was Mary of Egypt. She fled from him at first, but eventually shared her remarkable journey. Born in Egypt, she had spent seventeen years as a prostitute in Alexandria, driven by lust rather than poverty. Her life changed when she followed a crowd of pilgrims to Jerusalem. Attempting to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, she found herself physically barred by an invisible force. Realizing her impurity was the cause, she wept before an icon of the Virgin Mary, promising to renounce the world if she were allowed inside. After venerating the Cross, she fled into the wilderness with only three loaves of bread. For forty-seven years, she lived in complete solitude, battling memories of her past and surviving on sparse desert vegetation. Zosimas returned a year later to bring her Holy Communion, witnessing her walk across the surface of the Jordan River to reach him. When he returned the following year, he found her body prepared for burial, with a message written in the sand. With the help of a passing lion that dug her grave, Zosimas buried the saint, returning to his monastery to share the story of her radical repentance.
The Moral
No matter the depth of one's past transgressions, sincere repentance and divine grace can lead to the highest state of holiness.
“Having crossed the Jordan, I found rest.”
Fun Fact
St. Mary of Egypt is the patron saint of penitent women, and her life is traditionally read in its entirety during the fifth week of Great Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Mary of Egypt?
The moral is that divine mercy is boundless and transformation is possible for anyone who seeks it with a sincere heart. It teaches that one's past does not define their future spiritual potential.
Who was Zosimas in the story of Mary of Egypt?
Zosimas was a devout monk who believed he had reached the height of spiritual perfection until he met Mary. She served as a humble teacher, showing him that true holiness often exists hidden away from the world.
Why was Mary of Egypt unable to enter the church in Jerusalem?
An invisible, divine force physically prevented her from crossing the threshold. This experience served as a wake-up call, making her realize that her lifestyle of sin had separated her from the sacred.
How did Mary of Egypt survive in the desert for 47 years?
She initially brought three loaves of bread, which lasted her for a long time. Afterward, she survived on small desert plants and roots, sustained more by her faith and divine grace than by physical food.
What role does the lion play in the story?
After Mary's death, a lion appeared to help the elderly Zosimas, who was too weak to dig. The lion used its claws to dig a grave for the saint, symbolizing how even nature honors the holy.
Is Mary of Egypt a real historical figure?
While her life is shrouded in hagiographic tradition, she is venerated as a historical saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican churches. Her story was popularized by St. Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem.