The prayers of the Venerable Mary of Egypt, who lived a turbulent youth and became a saint, have become reliable help for Christians in achieving purity of spirit, soul and body. There is not a person in the world who is not attacked by the devil through the lust of the eyes.
How often does a person change his behavior only because an obsessive temptation has settled in his head, which can be spiritual, mental and physical. Exhausted from the struggle with himself, the Orthodox believer turns to Saint Mary of Egypt with petitions to rid the mind, feelings and emotions of lustful thoughts and deeds.
Mary of Egypt
The meaning of St. Mary of Egypt in Orthodoxy
Mary of Egypt is sometimes confused with Mary Magdalene, who lived 5 centuries earlier. Mary of Egypt was an Egyptian baptized into Christianity. At the age of 12 she left home and became a harlot. She liked open relationships with men, delicious food, wine. For 17 years, Maria led a depraved lifestyle.
One day, out of boredom, she decided to join a group of Christians heading to Jerusalem to celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Mary wanted to enter the church with other Christians, but she could not. The woman realized that her sins lay like a heavy stone on her soul and did not allow her to pray.
In the church vestibule there was an icon of the Mother of God. The harlot called to her with a prayer of repentance, after which she was able to enter the church and worship the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. On the way out, she again prayed to the Mother of God and heard a voice showing the way to salvation.
Overwhelmed by remorse, the woman went to the desert located beyond the Jordan River. There, alone, she spent almost half a century. During her first years, she was plagued by visions of her past “fun” life. Mary fought temptation, saying prayers of repentance, overcoming hunger and thirst.
After 20 years, Divine grace changed her soul and body, but the hermit continued to pray to the Lord for the forgiveness of her sins. 44 years after her hermitage in the desert, she met Zosima, a hieromonk who retired from the monastery during Lent for solitary prayer and fasting.
At his request, she told her story and asked to receive Holy Communion on the banks of the Jordan River in a year. Zosimas came to the Jordan on Maundy Thursday with prosphora and wine for communion. On the other side of the river he saw Mary. The woman noticed him and crossed the river, as if on solid earth.
After communion, she again turned to Zosima with a request in a year to come to the place where he met her for the first time. A year later, Zosima returned to the deserted place where he met the saint and saw that she was dead. Next to the body there was an inscription that contained a request to be buried here in the sands, and the date of death was indicated: April 1, after communion of the Divine Gifts.
Zosima was unable to dig a grave in the sand, and he ordered a nearby lion to dig a grave with its claws. The beast obeyed and dug a hole in which the saint’s body was buried. Returning to the monastery, Zosima told the monastery brethren about the great ascetic: her sinful life and great repentance.
The story was passed down orally until the story of the Egyptian ascetic was written down by Sophronius of Jerusalem in the 7th century. The biography of the saint is an example of the fact that even the most notorious sinners should not despair. No one is barred from receiving God's mercy if the repentance is sincere.
Christian doctrine considers Mary a model of perfect repentance: she did not stop praying for forgiveness even after her heart was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox Church commemorates the saint on April 14 (new style). On Sunday of the fifth week of Lent, the life of Mary of Egypt is read in Orthodox churches.
Prayer of Mary of Egypt
Estimated reading time: less than a minute.
They pray to Saint Mary of Egypt when they try to overcome this or that sin. Deliverance from sin is possible only through repentance. But repentance can sometimes be very difficult - both for those who are just taking the initial steps on the path of becoming a church member and approaching confession for the first time, and for people who live the church life and do it regularly. Even with seemingly great experience, one can and should continue to learn repentance.
Venerable Mary of Egypt is one of the most inspiring examples in the history of Christianity. It is to her that believers often turn to asking for the grant of repentance.
She lived in the 5th century and led a completely unpious, depraved lifestyle. But one day a change occurred in her soul: a young woman, accustomed to living only for her own pleasure, abandoned everything and went into the desert to beg the Lord for forgiveness of her countless sins for the rest of her life. And when there, far from the world, more than forty years later, she met a person for the first time in all this time - the monk Zosima - through her sincere repentance she had already gained holiness.
The Life of Mary of Egypt, retold by that same monk, is read in churches in the fifth week of Lent along with the Penitential Canon of Andrew of Crete. When most of the Four Tables are behind us, the story of St. Mary reminds us that we should never despair, that sincere repentance works miracles, and that the Love of the Lord covers everything. But her life also shows that repentance has no limits - after all, even when the saint received God’s blessing, she trembled, cried bitterly over her sins and begged Him to save her soul. After her death, she became a heavenly intercessor for all repentant sinners turning to her.
Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us!
Troparion, tone 8: In you, mother, it is known that you were saved in the image: having accepted the cross, you followed Christ, and in action you taught to despise the flesh, for it passes away, but to adhere to the souls, things that are immortal. Likewise, the angels will rejoice, O Reverend Mary, your spirit.
Kontakion, tone 4: Having escaped the darkness of sin, having illuminated your heart with the light of repentance, you, glorious, came to Christ, to whom, the all-immaculate and holy Mother, you brought a merciful prayer book. You have found forgiveness from your sins and sins, and you will rejoice with the angels forever.
Prayer: Hear the unworthy prayer of us sinners (names), deliver us, reverend mother, from the passions that war on our souls, from all sadness and adversity, from sudden death and from all evil, at the hour of separation of soul and body from marriage, holy saint, every evil thought and crafty demons, for may our souls receive us in peace into a place of light, Christ our Lord God, for from him the cleansing of sins, and He is the salvation of our souls, to Him belongs all glory and honor; and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
On the headband: icon of St. Mary of Egypt (fragment)
The elder with uncontrollable tears asked her to tell about her life, and she began to talk about herself like this: “I, holy father, was born in Egypt, but being 12 years old, when my parents were alive, I rejected their love and went to Alexandria.How I lost my girlish purity and began to uncontrollably, insatiably indulge in fornication - I cannot even think about this without shame, not only talk at length: I will only say briefly so that you know about my uncontrollable lust. For seventeen years, and even more, I committed fornication with everyone, not for the sake of a gift or payment, since I did not want to take anything from anyone, but I reasoned that more would come to me for free and satisfy my lust. Don’t think that I was rich and that’s why I didn’t take it - no, I lived in poverty, often spinning cereal while starving, but I was always obsessed with the desire to wallow even more in the mire of fornication: the only thing I considered life was to always dishonor nature.
One day, during the harvest, I saw that many men - both Egyptians and Libyans - were going to the sea. I asked someone I met, where are these people rushing? He replied that they were going to Jerusalem for the upcoming holiday of the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross. When I asked if they would take me with them, he said that if I had money and food, then no one would interfere. I told him: “No, brother, I have neither money nor food, but still I will go and board the same ship with them, and they will feed me: I will give them my body for payment.” I wanted to go so that - forgive me, my father - there were many people around me who were ready for lust. I told you, Father Zosima, not to force me to talk about my shame. God knows, I'm afraid that with my words I pollute the very air.
Watering the earth with tears, Zosima exclaimed:
- Speak, my mother, speak! Continue your instructive tale!
“The young man I met,” she continued, “heard my shameless speech, laughed and walked away. And I, throwing away the whorl that had happened to me, hurried to the sea, and there I saw ten or more men standing on the shore, young in body, and seemingly suitable for my lust. Others had already entered the ship. Shamelessly, as usual, I ran up to those standing and said: “Take me with you, I will please you.” They laughed at these and other similar words, and seeing my shamelessness, they took me onto the ship with them, and we sailed. How can you, man of God, say what happened next! What language, what kind of hearing will bear the story of the shameful deeds I committed on the ship during the journey: I lured them into sin even against their will, and there were no more shameful deeds, no matter what I taught. Believe me, father, I am horrified that the sea endured such depravity, that the earth did not open up and plunge me alive into hell after the corruption of so many people! But I think that God was waiting for my repentance, not awaiting the death of a sinner, but long-sufferingly awaiting conversion.
"Holy Mary of Egypt in the Desert" by Jacopo Tintoretto
| Thus I arrived in Jerusalem, and all the days before the holiday I acted as before, and even worse. Not only was I not content with the young men who were with me on the ship, but I also gathered local residents and strangers for fornication. Finally, the holiday of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross arrived, and I, as before, went to seduce the young men. Seeing that early in the morning everyone, one after another, was going to church, I also went, entered the vestibule with everyone and, when the hour of the Holy Exaltation of the Precious Cross of the Lord arrived, I tried to enter the church with the people. No matter how I tried to push my way, the people kept me away. Finally, with great difficulty, I, the accursed one, approached the church doors. But everyone entered the church without any restrictions, but some Divine power did not allow me. I tried to enter again, and was again pushed away, left alone in the vestibule. Thinking that this was due to my feminine weakness, I intervened in the new crowd, but my efforts turned out to be even; my sinful foot was already touching the threshold, the church accepted everyone without restriction, it did not allow me alone, the accursed one; as if a numerous military guard had been deliberately posted, an unknown force was delaying me - and now I again found myself in the vestibule. So three, four times I strained my strength, but to no avail. From exhaustion I could no longer interfere with the crowd entering; my whole body ached from the crowding and crush. Desperate, I retreated with shame and stood in the corner of the vestibule, and when I came to my senses, I thought about what guilt was preventing me from seeing the life-giving tree of the Lord’s Cross. The light of saving reason, the truth of God, enlightening the eyes of my soul, touched my heart and indicated that the abomination of my deeds forbade me to enter the church. Then I began to cry bitterly, beat my chest with sobs and sigh from the depths of my heart. So I cried, standing in the vestibule. Raising my eyes, I saw an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on the wall and, turning my bodily and spiritual eyes to it, I exclaimed: “Oh, Lady, Virgin, who gave birth to God in the flesh! I know, truly I know, that there is no honor or praise to You when I, unclean and filthy, look at Your Ever-Virgin face, pure in body and soul. It is righteous if Your virgin purity is despised and you hate me, a harlot. But I heard that God, born by You, became incarnate for this purpose, to call sinners to repentance. Come to me, left by everyone to help! Commanded that I should not be prohibited from entering the church, let me see the Honest Tree, on which the one born of You was crucified in the flesh, shedding His holy blood for my deliverance. Command, Lady, that the doors of the church be opened for me, unworthy, to worship the Divine Cross! |
Be my faithful guarantor before Your Son, that I will no longer defile my body with the uncleanness of fornication, but, having looked at the Tree of the Cross, I will renounce the world and its temptations and go where You, the guarantor of my salvation, will lead me.”
Having said this, and as if having received some kind of notification, inflamed with faith, and strengthened by the hope of the mercy of the Mother of God, I moved from the place where I was praying, and again mixed with the crowd entering the church, and no one pushed me away, and no one forbade me to be near the doors through which everyone entered the church. Fear and horror attacked me, and I trembled all over. Having reached the doors that had previously been closed to me, I easily entered the holy church and was honored to see the Life-Giving Tree, comprehended the mysteries of God, and realized that God will not reject the repentant. Falling to the ground, I bowed to the Holy Cross and kissed it with trepidation. Then I left the church to the image of my guarantor - the Mother of God and, kneeling before Her holy icon, prayed: “O ever-blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos, without disdaining my prayer, You showed me Your great love for mankind. I saw the glory of the Lord, prodigal and unworthy to see it! Glory to God, who accepts the repentance of sinners for Your sake! What else can I, a sinner, think or say. Now, Lady, it’s time to fulfill what I promised, calling You as my guarantor: instruct me how Your will will be done, and teach me how to complete salvation on the path of repentance.”
After these words, I heard, as if from afar, a voice: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find complete peace of mind.”
Having listened to these words with faith that they were addressed to me, I exclaimed with tears, looking at the icon of the Mother of God: “Lady, Lady Theotokos, do not leave me!”
With these words, I left the church vestibule and quickly walked forward. On the road, someone gave me three coins with the words: “Take this, mother.”
What is asked of the holy face?
Just like other saints, believers turn to her for help. How does the icon of Mary of Egypt help? Most often this is:
- receiving forgiveness of sins and repenting of them before God;
- overcoming prodigal passion;
- getting rid of bad habits;
- forgiveness for abortions;
- choosing the right path;
- the gift of modesty, Christian wisdom, chastity.
All this will be obtained only if the person himself sincerely admits his guilt and asks the Lord to help him. Otherwise, all requests will have no force.
Icons of Saint Mary
The transformation that happened to her under the influence of the Lord will not leave anyone indifferent. Those who want to change their lives and give up sinful thoughts can turn to her for help. It is best to concentrate in front of the image of the saint.
There are several image options. Some of them can be found in temples. Here is a list of the most common ones:
- Image in life. It is placed in the center, and the most important moments from her life are written around it.
- Saint praying to Christ and the Mother of God. The basis for this icon was a real-life incident that occurred before the entrance to the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Jerusalem.
- Her meeting with Elder Zosimus in the desert and her communion.
The best article for you, go to: St. Ephraim of Novotorzhsky
Place the chosen face in front of you and light the candle. Try to move away from things that distract you as much as possible. Words that come from the heart will definitely be heard. Regardless of what kind of face you come across on the way, sincere prayer and deep faith will help create a miracle.
Briefly about the life of Mary of Egypt
Many people have a question: why, when sinful thoughts overcome us, should we pray to Mary of Egypt? The answer is very simple. The fact is that Maria led a dissolute lifestyle in her young years.
She gave her body to every man she liked. And it was not a financial issue at all. Maria took the road of crossroads for the sake of pleasure.
The saint lived at the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th. Maria left her native monastery in Alexandria at the age of 12. Joyful that she had finally gotten rid of parental control, she went on a rampage. Being young and inexperienced, she gave her body to everyone who crossed her path.
And no one could reason with the poor girl and stop her on the path to death. Maria led this lifestyle until she was 17 years old.
One day she had the chance to go with the sailors on a ship to Jerusalem. There she indulged in sin and debauchery. Upon arrival in the Holy Land, she decided to go with the pilgrims to the temple, as she had heard a lot about the beauty, majesty of the city and the original architecture of the buildings.
The first place Mary went to was the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Maria tried to enter there. But some unknown force did not let her in, no matter how hard she tried. Then Mary received her sight and realized that it was the Lord himself who was opposing this.
She became so scared and ashamed that she fell straight onto the steps and began to cry out to the Lord and Our Lady and ask Them for forgiveness of sins.
God heard her and let her into the temple. There she fell at the Holy Sepulcher and shed as many tears as she had never shed in her entire dissolute life.
Immediately her mind was illuminated, faith appeared in her soul. From that moment on, Maria swore to herself that she would never lead such a lifestyle again.
From Jerusalem she immediately went to the desert in Jordan, where she spent 40 years in prayer and fasting. Thus, Mary was completely cleansed of sinful thoughts and lustful passion.
She emerged from the desert as an elderly woman. On the way she met Elder Zosima. He admired her holiness and righteousness. Zosimus watched Maria more than once.
One day he noticed how she rose above the ground during prayer and walked along the Jordan River, as if along the shore.
Maria asked Zosima to come every year at the same time to give her communion. In the second year, the righteous man no longer found her alive. Zosimus buried Maria there in the desert. A lion helped him dig the burial pit.
This is how Mary turned from a sinner into a real righteous woman.
