| Saint Macarius of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Monk, Ascetic | |
| Born | 4th century Egypt |
| Died | 395 Egypt |
| Honored in | Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches |
| Feast |
2 January (Eastern Orthodox) (Roman Catholic Church) 1 May = (6 Pashons, 111 A.M.) (Coptic Orthodox) |
Saint Macarius of Alexandria (died 395)[1] was a monk in the Nitrian Desert. He was a slightly younger contemporary of Macarius of Egypt, and is thus also known as Macarius the Younger. He was also known as ho politikos.[2] He was an extreme ascetic, and numerous miracles were ascribed to him. He presided over five thousand Nitric monks.
Once, he went to the monastery of Saint Pachomius in a layman's garment, and stayed there during the forty days of Lent. No one saw him eating or sitting down. He was making baskets of palm leaves while he was standing. The monks said to Saint Pachomius: "Cast out this man from here, for he is not human." A divine inspiration subsequently revealed Macarius' identity to him, and the monks rushed to receive his blessings. When he found that his virtues have been revealed, he returned to his monastery in Scetes.
Macarius of Alexandria was exiled by Emperor Valens, along with Macarius of Egypt to an island, which they subsequently Christianized.
According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, Macarius of Alexandria departed on 2 January 395. According to the Coptic Orthodox tradition, he departed on 1 May 395 A.D. (6 Pashons, 111 A.M.)
In addition to a monastic rule and three brief apothegms, a homily "On the End of the Souls of the Righteous and of Sinners" is ascribed to him, although excellent Vienna manuscripts assign the latter to a monk named Alexander. Palladius and Sozomen also mention a Macarius the Younger of Lower Egypt, who lived in a cell for more than twenty three years to atone for a murder which he had committed.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Jackson, Samuel Macauley, ed (1914). "article name needed". New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (third ed.). London and New York: Funk and Wagnalls.