St macarious

1. St macarious

3. Titles • Rufinus (the historian) calls him the “enlightened” the “Illuminated” • In the Lusiac history he is called “πιαδαριογερον” which mean “the young man with the wisdom of the elders” • He always had the comfort of the Cherub that was with him. • He was also called the spirit wearer (πνεγματοφορος) • A picture was found for him from the monastery of Jeremiah at the area od Sakkara with the name under it Πενιωτ απα Μακαρε πιπνεγματοφοπος. This became his official title since the 4th century.

4. He was also called the Great, The Egyptian, the father of sheheet (scetes) fathers. And many others that reflected his life and character. • His parent was from menf (elgyza) and they moved to Shebsheer near monophya base on a heavenly revelation. • His father name was Ibrahim (Abraham) and he was a priest and his mother’s name was Sarah.

5. He was born 300 AD. And he lived about 90 years. • He was forced to marry, as a step to be ordained a priest, he went on long working trip when he came back his young wife reposed in the lord before the marriage is completed • He used to travel a lot with the camel convoys to bring the salt (Natrium) natrooun back to his father’s village. • In one of these trips the Cherub appeared to him informing him that God is giving this desert wilderness to him and his spiritual children to be a place of prayer and solitude.

6. Upon his return from that trip, he found his wife very feverish and she passed away. • He realized then that he has to be prepared if he is to be taken too. Started a life of prayer at home and in the church. He spent a lot of time serving his father till he passed away the his mother. And he started to give away all his inheritance and he left to live alone on the border of his village at first.

7. 10 years of solitude, and the villagers forced him through the bishop to be ordained as a priest. • He went through a harsh test. This ended by him moving deep in the desert to Scetis. It took him about 2 days walking.

8. After 3 years he went for his first visit to st Antony • Another visit took place many years later. • He had very strong relation with natria, and Celia monks. • He also visited St Bakhomious. • The story of St Maximus and Domasius

9. His character • Serious • Huge ability to cover for other’s sins • Forgiveness • Firm with the proud. • Eats his food by wait and drink by measure • Works with his hand, and sell his stuff by himself, and also worked for wages. • Fasting one day for each cup of wine.

10. His character • Always in the divine presence • Secret cell for solitude • Escape from talking (run away from talking) and from people. • patience is the strength of solitude. • Always look towards heaven