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The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt, one of the greatest models of repentance, asceticism, and transformation in Orthodox Christian tradition. Her life is a powerful testimony to the depth of God's mercy, the reality of spiritual renewal, and the struggle of the soul against the passions. This commemoration, placed near the end of Lent, calls the faithful to persevere in repentance and ascetic effort, assuring them that no sin is too great to be overcome by God’s grace.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/04/01/100963-venerable-mary-of-egypt
The Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt: History and Theological Significance
The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt, one of the most profound examples of repentance and ascetic struggle in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. This Sunday serves as the final preparatory step before entering the intense journey of Holy Week, reinforcing the themes of repentance, transformation, and God’s boundless mercy.
I. Historical Background: Why St. Mary of Egypt?
The commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt on the Fifth Sunday of Lent dates back to the early monastic traditions of the Orthodox Church. Her life was recorded by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (7th century), and has been read in Orthodox monasteries during Great Lent for centuries.
1. Who Was St. Mary of Egypt?
She was born in Egypt in the 5th century and led a life of extreme sinfulness and promiscuity from a young age.
At 17, she traveled to Jerusalem, not for religious devotion but to pursue more sinful pleasures.
However, when she attempted to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, an invisible force prevented her from entering.
Realizing her unworthiness, she fell before an icon of the Theotokos (Mother of God) and repented with tears, vowing to change her life.
She then heard a voice telling her to cross the Jordan River into the desert, where she lived for 47 years in total solitude, battling her passions and seeking God’s mercy.
Near the end of her life, she met St. Zosimas, a monk who later brought her the Holy Eucharist. After receiving it, she passed away in great holiness, and he buried her with divine assistance.
2. Why Is She Commemorated on the Fifth Sunday of Lent?
The Church places her feast at the end of Great Lent to emphasize the power of true repentance:
As we near the end of the Lenten journey, the Church reminds us that even the most sinful life can be transformed by God's grace.
St. Mary of Egypt exemplifies the Lenten struggle, showing that through fasting, prayer, and repentance, one can overcome even the most deep-seated passions.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent follows the Sunday of St. John Climacus (author of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent"), reinforcing that spiritual ascent requires both inner struggle (askesis) and God’s mercy.
II. The Theological Significance of the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
1. The Power of Repentance and God's Mercy
St. Mary of Egypt is one of the greatest examples of God’s forgiveness:
She lived in sin for 17 years, yet through true contrition, she attained sainthood.
Her story shows that no sin is too great for God to forgive, provided there is true repentance.
As Christ said:
"There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7).
2. The Role of the Theotokos in Our Salvation
St. Mary’s conversion began when she prayed before an icon of the Theotokos, asking for intercession.
This highlights the Orthodox understanding of the Theotokos as the compassionate Mother who leads sinners to Christ.
It also reinforces the belief that Mary’s intercessions help us in our struggle against sin.
3. The Ascetic Struggle: The Desert as a Place of Transformation
St. Mary’s withdrawal into the desert symbolizes the need for detachment from worldly passions.
The desert in Orthodox tradition represents:
Spiritual purification (as seen in the life of Christ, John the Baptist, and the Desert Fathers).
Fasting and solitude as necessary tools for conquering sin.
Her 47 years of struggle reflect the Orthodox teaching that holiness is not immediate but the result of years of ascetic effort and grace.
4. Eucharistic Fulfillment: St. Zosimas and the Holy Communion
Despite her extreme asceticism, St. Mary recognized the need for the Eucharist, receiving it only once before her death.
This emphasizes that even the holiest of lives cannot be complete without the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Her longing for the Eucharist reminds us of its central role in our own spiritual journey.
5. A Prefiguration of Holy Week: Dying to Sin, Rising with Christ
St. Mary’s life mirrors the journey of Great Lent, which leads to Holy Week and Pascha:
Just as she crossed the Jordan into the desert, we spiritually cross into the final days of Lent.
Her death after receiving the Eucharist foreshadows Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.
Her transformation from sinner to saint reflects our own calling to be renewed through Christ’s Resurrection.
Conclusion: St. Mary of Egypt as Our Lenten Guide
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt, is a powerful call to repentance, renewal, and perseverance. Her life teaches us that:
No sin is too great to be forgiven – God’s mercy is limitless for those who truly repent.
Repentance requires struggle – Like St. Mary, we must actively reject sin and pursue holiness.
The spiritual life is a journey – Just as she spent years purifying her soul, we too must patiently endure the ascetic struggle.
The Theotokos intercedes for sinners – We should turn to her in prayer, as St. Mary did.
Pascha is about transformation – Her story prefigures our own journey from sin to resurrection.
As we stand at the threshold of Holy Week, may we be inspired by St. Mary’s example and renew our commitment to Christ, trusting that through repentance, we too will enter into the joy of the Resurrection.
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