What human words could make you realize such a life as this, a life on the borderline between human and spiritual nature?” - The Life of St. Macrina, by Gregory of Nyssa
St. Macrina the Younger: the daughter and granddaughter of holy women, carrying a bright flame forward and through her influence lighting the world. Named after her grandmother Macrina (usually known as Macrina the Elder), who suffered during the time of persecution under the emperor Maximian Galerius, she was born in Cappadocia at the beginning of the 4th century. Her mother Emelia was also canonized a saint, as were several of her brothers (St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nyssa).
St. Macrina was one of ten children, and helped raise and teach many of her younger siblings. Although her parents betrothed her to a Christian young man, he died before the wedding could take place. After this, St. Macrina decided to choose the life of virginity and support her family, especially after the death of her father.
Once all her siblings had grown up and left home, St. Macrina convinced her mother to set their servants free and pursue monastic life. Several servants followed their example after being freed. Together, they lived together as one family, praying and working together, and possessing everything in common.
The death of her mother was a turning point in St. Macrina’s life. Now it was her turn to carry this light which her grandmother and now her mother passed on to her. She became the guide and leader of their small monastery, renowned for her holiness of life, and continued to support and counsel her siblings. During times of famine, they fed hundreds of people without ever running out of wheat. She also took in and raised many girls who were abandoned on the side of the road during this time of severe hunger. It is fascinating that the one miracle of healing attributed to her, the restoring of sight to a young girl, was again another kind of illumination, a bearing of the light.
Her brother St. Gregory, in his account of St. Macrina’s life, focuses especially on her intelligence and wisdom, her ability to understand and perceive deep spiritual insights and inspire others in a love for the good. Describing her life as one “on the borderline between human and spiritual nature,” he saw her as his greatest teacher and guide.
Saint Macrina died in the year 380. Her final prayer is worth reading in length, but we will quote a portion of it here:
“Lord, you have released us from the fear of death. The end of our life here you have made the beginning of true life. For a short while you will let our bodies rest in sleep, and then with the last trumpet you will wake them from their sleep. You give this earth of ours, which you shaped with your own hands, to the Earth to keep for you; and you will take it back again. And from a mortal, formless lump you will transform it into a thing of immortal beauty.
…When I am divested of my body, may I stand before you with my soul unspotted; receive it, blameless and faultless, with your own hands. Amen.”
We celebrate her feast day on July 19th.
Holy Mother Macrina, pray to God for us!
Troparion — Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, O Holy Mother Macrina, rejoices with the Angels!
Ikos 1 of an Akathist:
Saint Macrina, daughter and granddaughter of holy women, thou camest from a Christian lineage which thou didst not deny. Yea, thou didst serve as a holy light unto thy siblings as well as thy servants, and now the entire Church honors thee and we implore thy help in all things…