Venerable · c. 300–391
Macarius the Great of Egypt
Venerable Macarius the Great of Egypt
New Calendar January 19 Old Calendar February 1
Why they are a saint
Macarius the Great of Egypt was desert father of Scetis, teacher of prayer; the Macarian homilies (associated with his name) shaped later hesychasm. The years given for this life are c. 300–391. The faithful look to his monastic life as a pattern of repentance and prayer.
Life
Saint Macarius the Great was born in the early fourth century in the village of Ptinapor in Egypt. Married at his parents' wish and soon widowed, he resolved to care for his soul, yet stayed to support his aged parents until their death. An experienced elder taught him watchfulness, fasting, prayer and basket-weaving.
He became a devoted disciple of Saint Anthony the Great, and on his advice went to the desert of Scete, where while not yet thirty he was called 'a young elder' for his maturity in asceticism. His miracles and visions were recorded by the presbyter Rufinus, and his Life by Saint Serapion of Thmuis. His relics are in Amalfi, Italy.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of monastics, spiritual counsel (when of Egypt / Optina), because he lived the monastic life of prayer and asceticism.
Prayer
O holy Macarius the Great of Egypt, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Macarius of Alexandria (same day!); Macarius of Optina; many Russian Macariuses.