Saint Mary of Egypt and Abba Zosimas (Sinai) Icon - S505

Saint Mary lived in the fifth century. As a girl, she left her Christian family in order to follow her pleasures in unbridled sinful living. At one point she joined a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem, selling herself in exchange for passage. When they arrived at the Church of the Resurrection, Mary tried to enter, but an invisible force prevented her. She came to her senses and was driven to prayer and repentance. She went to wander in the desert, where she repented and denied herself every kind of pleasure for many years. Before the end of her life, she gave her testimony to the monk named Abba Zosimas, who brought her communion on Holy Thursday at her request.

Saint Mary is commemorated on April 1, and in the Orthodox Church, the Fifth Sunday of Lent is also dedicated to her. The story of her life is read each year on the Thursday of the Great Canon.

Saint Zosimas of Palestine is commemorated on April 4.