Church holiday on February 1 - Day of St. Macarius: the life of the saint, strong prayer

Every year on February 1, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Macarius the Great, one of the outstanding ascetics of the 4th century, the founder of a large monastic community in Egypt and the author of many theological works. In 2025, the celebration falls on Saturday. "Izvestia" tells what they pray to the saint and what feats he accomplished.

Church holiday February 1 - the Day of the Monk Macarius

Rev. Macarius was born around 300 in Egypt. He earned his living by mining saltpeter and guarding grazing flocks. From an early age he aspired to monastic service, but he could not leave his parents, for whom he was the main support. After their death, Macarius gave away his remaining property and went into the desert near his hometown. There he met a monk elder who became his first spiritual mentor and taught him how to weave baskets from palm leaves.

Soon Macarius greatly succeeded in ascetic labors. Having learned of his piety, the locals wanted to make him a priest, but he did not wish to return from seclusion and moved to a cave near another village.

One day an unmarried girl in this village became pregnant. She blamed Macarius for her dishonor. Being beaten and insulted by the angry inhabitants, the confessor did not say anything in his defense and even agreed to give the girl part of the money from the sale of baskets. When the true perpetrator of the sin became known, the parents of the deceiver wanted to come to the saint with repentance, but he had already left the village, avoiding vanity.

After living three years in the desert, Macarius came to Anthony the Great, the father of Egyptian monasticism, to become his disciple. The Monk gladly received the hermit and taught him everything he knew himself. On the instruction of the saint, Macarius withdrew to the Scythian desert, where he became famous for many feats. In time he began to be called a youthful elder, for in his 30 years he was not inferior in wisdom to the experienced monks.

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During his life in the desert Macarius was not once attacked by demons. The servants of the devil sent terrifying visions and sinful thoughts upon him, but the saint remained steadfast in his faith. At the age of 40 he became abbot of the monks living in the Desert of Skita. During these years the confessor often visited Anthony the Great, asking him for guidance. He was also honored to be present at the death of the Monk and received a staff from him.

During his ministry, Macarius performed many miracles. He healed the sick, raised the dead and did not refuse to help those who came to him for advice. Once, while walking through the desert, he saw a human skull and ordered it to identify itself. The skull told him that he was a pagan priest whose soul was now in the fires of hell. Nevertheless, said the priest, when St. Macarius prays for sinners, they receive some consolation.

During the time of Emperor Valentine, St. Macarius was persecuted by Bishop Luke, who had succumbed to the Arian heresy. Together with the Venerable Macarius of Alexandria, he was exiled to an island of pagans. However, the saint not only did not disappear in a foreign country, but was able to convert all the idolaters to Christianity by healing the daughter of the local chief. After this, the shamed bishop allowed the confessors to return to their hermitages.

St. Macarius spent more than 60 years in the desert, praising the Lord unceasingly. He kept his mind in a state of constant vigilance so as not to interrupt his conversations with God. He described his ascetic experience in numerous theological works, recognized as an invaluable spiritual heritage. The Monk passed away peacefully at the age of 90, gladly handing over his soul to God.

What to pray to St. Macarius the Great for

St. Macarius has been revered since ancient times. Believers pray to him to receive consolation in grief, to strengthen faith in difficult life situations, to get rid of harmful tendencies and addictions, to avoid temptations and temptations. The Monk is also asked for protection from dark forces, guidance on the true path and the granting of wisdom.

Prayer to the Monk Macarius the Great:

O Venerable Father Macarius, we, unworthy ones, beseech you, we beseech you, unworthy ones, to ask through your intercession with the All-Merciful God of our Lord for our health of mind and body, for a quiet and godly life, and for a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ. Extinguish by thy prayers the arrows of the devil, that the evil of sin may not touch us, and that, having ended our temporal life with piety, we may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and glorify with you the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Troparion to St. Macarius the Great

Thou art a desert dweller, and an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O God-bearing Father Macarius, through fasting, vigil, and prayer, receiving heavenly gifts, healing the sick and the souls of those who come to thee in faith. Glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you, glory to Him who works by you to heal all.

Kondakion to St. Macarius the Great

Having ended a blessed life in life with martyrological countenances, in the land of the meek thou art worthy to dwell, O Theotokosnoe Makarius, and having inhabited the desert like a town, thou hast received grace from God of miracles, thus we honor thee.

Who has a name day today, February 1

On February 1, the feast day of St. Macarius, men with the names Anton, Arseny, Gregory, Efim, Makar, Mark, Nicholas, Peter, Savva and Fedor, as well as women with the name Theodosia, celebrate their first names.

People who were born on this day have a strong-willed character. They will not blindly obey authorities and rules, but respect other people's values and views on life. Those born on February 1 are characterized by determination and enterprise. At the same time, they are reliable and conscientious, always bring the beginning to the end and fulfill promises.

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