Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
April 5, 2020
During this period of self isolation and social distancing an interesting parallel can give us insight into what is normally a ascetic practice of the monastic discipline. During certain times of the year it is a practice that the gates of the monastery be closed to visitors and those monastics; who usually are given over to hospitality and the guiding and instruction of souls suddenly seem cold and indifferent to those who come to them. This is not of course out of disdain for the stranger seeking help, but because it is not merely food and drink or lodging that is the need here, though they are needfully provided, nor the elaborate richness of the divine services that are shared, but because service to others must be balanced with an authentic and personal relationship with God as well as the attainment of peace through the inward prayer and cultivation of the Holy Spirit. Then it is that the gift given, be it food or lodging or even a partaking in Divine worship becomes the vehicle of something far greater, even a conscious partaking in the Divine presence.
Truly it is a high calling, and yet the only way to attain this as “the One thing needful” as our Lord spoke to St. Martha; if we are so blessed, is to give ones whole soul to the pursuit of theoria the entering in to the divine presence. Herein lies the meaning of our fasting and prayer. Someone who is touched by God in this way is already a partaker of a foretaste of paradise, therefore seekers of wisdom will use social distancing to provide uninterupted concentration and a peeling off of created selfs as well as the restoration of soul. Did not Our Lord Himself depart to the mountaintop on many an occasion noted by the gospels to commune alone with His Father and the Holy Spirit.
Here is where the narrative of the life of St. Mary of Egypt transpires as told by the venerable St. Zosimas. These monastics of Egypt would of a rule not merely close the door of their monastery but taking a measured amount of dried bread for their sustenance, depart in different directions of the vast deserts of Sinai. If perchance they would see another soul they would turn away. This is the extreme the sincere seeker of God will endure but even then the fullness of Wisdom can be elusive. St. Zosimas entered the monastery as a youth and perfected in obedience and the rigorous standard, himself αιπαρθενο or ever a Virgin, was ordained a priest, something hard to attain in a monastery. Yet he felt somehow lacking before the Lord and had prayed that he would meet someone who could reveal what it was he lacked.
While out in the wilderness where Moses wandered about in the days wherein God tested the children of Israel, the saintly Zosimas saw what first he believed was an apparition but soon understood perhaps God had answered his prayer. Therefore he pursued the desert dweller and finally caught up with the ascetic who called him by his name Zosimas! Why do you come to seek a sinner? Come no further, for I am a woman and naked, my clothing long ago wearing away, therefore turn away your face and give me your outer garment that I may cover my shame. Here began the telling of the life of St. Mary of Egypt. From a young girl given over to hedonistic pursuit of pleasure and debauchery so much so not even to draw a profit as a prostitute but only to entangle men in her entrancement and live life as a thrall of sensual enjoyment. Here in her pursuits she happened upon a group of young men on the way to Jerusalem to worship at the holy tomb and joined their troupe, not for to worship the Holy Cross but to corrupt the young men and out of curiosity.
Upon venturing to the door of the πανάγιος τάφρο the most sacred site in Christianity and the site of Golgotha. But Lo the miracle, she was bound at the door by an invisible force and unable to enter, she had been touched by the living God. Out on the portico struck with the spirit of μετάνοια or repentance she fell down before an icon of the Theotokos weeping the tears that are the jewels of the soul and the drops of incense that boil forth from the human heart when she realizes her maker. Her remorse before the most pure Mother of God now allowed her to enter the church where she kissed the Holy Cross. What followed after is the work of the Lord who when the soul falls in love with all desire is suddenly as a mere trifle.
Her baptism, her taking of Holy Communion, and her departure from the world into the wilderness of Sinai where Virgin Mary had promised “she would find rest”. Her struggles her endurance, her many recurring wars with entrenched memories eventually gave rise to ecstatic theoria, the gift of the most high. St. Zosimas was a witness of this when they prayed in the wilderness and she levitated off of the ground. She asked him to bring her Holy Communion on Holy Thursday, and to meet her the following year when he found her reposed and incorrupt. He witnessed the miracle when a lion came and dug the grave of the saint and St. Zosimas read the funeral prayers.
The life of St. Mary the Egyptian is something which must be read, written as it were by the St. Sophronios patriarch of Jerusalem who also composed the hymn φος ιλαρον which is sung daily at the evening incense. It’s many details are lost in the retelling and can be found on the web. During this time of isolation, when it becomes difficult to lose ourselves in the action of serving; the inner angst can rise up to cause strife and despondency. We have been taken out of our element and this can cause anxiety. We must do battle against a cloud of worries and pray. The news is truly bad no matter how you slice it and the pall of death shadows our day. The uncertainty of when it will be over leaves us powerless. We were flying high but behold the days have come wherein we have been humbled.
The Lord looks down from heaven to see if even one has the thoughtfulness to use this time to seek the Lord. A feeling of national repentance is slow in coming. Instead scapegoating and conspiracy theories which rot the mind. Looking back there we were bragging about our economy....while the poorer nations felt envy at our words. The nations were wagging their head at the national feud that dragged time and energy nowhere for so many years. We were like children stuck in the house with disagreeable parents who couched their bickering with moralism when everyone knew it was political posturing. And now we are here, broke and unable to even make an election.
The golden door of repentance is open and the Holy Week wherein we remember the Lord approaches quickly. We will be broadcasting all of the services which take us step by step through the passion of Christ. Friday night the προιγιασμενι οr presanctified liturgy of St. Gregory pope of Rome, on the morning, the Saturday of Lazarus which precludes the entrance into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday. The nymphios services on Sunday eve as well as Monday and Tuesday. The Wednesday εφχαιλεος οr Holy Unction, the morning of Holy Thursday wherein we remember the mystical supper, the twelve gospels and the symbolic crucifixion and placing of the cross, the great hours of Holy Friday, the απακοθελοσις οr the taking down from the cross. The εγομια οr the lamentations of Christ, the Saturday morning liturgy of the small Αναστάσι, and finally the pascha.
All will be live streamed due to the pestilence but it’s the least we can do on this very strange year which has come upon us unforeseen. May we rise to the calling and honor our Lord as best we can and may the joy of pascha ransom us from sorrow.