V. REV. FR. IGNATIUS VALENTINE
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church
Cedarburg, WI
In the story of our Venerable Mother Mary of Egypt, we are reminded of the necessity of fortifying ourselves with God’s abundant grace through partaking of the Eucharist. After her initial repentance and baptism, she received the Eucharist before fleeing to the wilderness. It would be 47 years of fierce struggle with her passions before she would meet the priestmonk Zosima. At her urgent request, he returned the next year with the Eucharist.
When they met at the appointed place, God allowed St. Mary to walk on the water of the Jordan to where Zosima waited. The old priestmonk trembled with fear at this awesome sight. Trying to bow down to her in reverence, he forgot that he was carrying the precious Gifts. St. Mary had to rebuke him and remind him of the necessity of guarding the sanctity of the Lord’s Body and Blood. After communing, she retreated to the desert once again and immediately gave her soul up to God.
Because of her unique situation, St. Mary only communed twice during the 48 years that she followed Christ—but it never left her mind. She craved this grace that God offered. She understood that it provided her armor against the assaults of the Evil One. St. Mary gives us an example to follow, to be diligent to commune, so that we may be empowered for the lifelong struggle of repentance.
Through you, the divine
likeness was securely preserved,
O Mother Mary, for you did
carry the cross and follow Christ
— Apolytikion of Saint Mary of Egypt
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