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[[Image:Zosimas and Mary of Egypt.jpg|right|frame|Sts. Zosima and Mary of Egypt]]
Our venerable mother among the saints '''Mary of Egypt''' provides us with was a beautiful example of desert ascetic who [[metanoiarepentance|repented]], or conversionof a life of prostitution. She lived during the sixth century, and passed away in a remarkable manner in 522. The Church celebrates her [[feast day]] on the day of her repose, [[April 1]]; additionally, she is commemorated on the [[Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt]], the sixth Sunday in [[Great Lent]].
==Life==
She began her life as a young woman who followed the passions of the body, running away from her parents at age twelve for Alexandria. There she lived as a harlot for seventeen years, though she often refused money from the men she copulated with, instead living by begging and spinning flax.
One day, however, she met a group of young men heading toward the sea to sail to Jerusalem for the [[veneration]] of the Holy [[Cross]]. Mary went along for the ride, seducing the men as they travelled traveled for the fun of it. But when the group reached Jerusalem and actually went towards the church, Mary was prohibited from entering by an unseen force. After three such attempts, she remained outside on the church patio, where she looked up and saw an [[icon]] of the [[Theotokos]]. She began to weep and prayed with all her might that the Theotokos might allow her to see the True Cross; afterwordsafterwards, she promised, she would renounce her worldly desires and go wherever the Theotokos may lead her.
After this heart-felt [[conversion]] at the doors of the church, she fled into the desert to live as an [[ascetic]]. She survived for years on only three loaves of bread and thereafter on scarce herbs of the land. For another seventeen years, Mary was tormented by "wild beasts—mad desires and passions." After these years of temptation, however, she overcame the passions and was led by the Theotokos in all things.
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/groups/udn03.htm Icon of Ss. Mary of Egypt and Zosimas]
[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:WonderworkerWonderworkers]]
