St. Mary of Egypt

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Feastday: April 2
Patron of Chastity (warfare against the flesh; deliverance from carnal passions); Demons (deliverance from); Fever; Skin diseases; Temptations of the flesh
344 - 421

In Cyril of Scythopolis' life of St. Cyryacus, he tells of a woman named Mary found by Cyryacus and his companions living as a hermitess in the Jordanian desert. She told him she had been a famous singer and actress who had sinned and was doing penance in the desert. When they returned, she was dead. Around the story was built an elaborate legend that had tremendous popularity during the Middle Ages according to which she was an Egyptian who went to Alexandria when she was twelve and lived as an actress and courtesan for seventeen years. She was brought to the realization of her evil life before an icon of the Blessed Virgin, and at Mary's direction, went to the desert east of Palestine, where she lived as a hermitess for forty-seven years, not seeing a single human being and beset by all kinds of temptations, which were mitigated by her prayers to the Blessed Virgin. She was discovered about 430 by a holy man named Zosimus, who was impressed by her spiritual knowledge and wisdom. He saw her the following Lent, but when he returned, he found her dead and buried her. When he returned to his monastery near the Jordan, he told the brethren what had happened and the story spread. Her feast day is April 2.

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

Jane
1 month ago
I use this site for all my research on saints for school. This story scared me a little bit. I know about Matt, Bruce. He was addicted to achohal at a young age and was helped to over come it by a priesst. I have a childrens book of him!!! Thanks
Bruce W.
3 months ago
To Wondering Wakeema.I was reading a online book about Matt Talbot. He stated St Mary was one of the Saints he had a particular devotion to. After this article I have a bit more insight as to why.Prehaps if you looked into Matt's life and practice's you may get some answers.
WonderingWakeema
7 months ago
She has always stuck with me. I always wonder about her. Her life story is devoid of neccessary details. I always wondering why she decided to prostitute herself or if her parents ever looked for her? She was twelve. I keep thinking she was somehow corrupted. Did she have any children? Or friends? I wish I knew more details of her life. She just never made complete sense to me.
Jenny Davies
4 years ago
I obtained information from your site on a number of saints that was most helpful during my recent pilgrimage to Italy and France. From Australia with gratitude.

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