Makarios of Egypt

Desert father and abbot of the Egyptian monks.

St. Makarios of Egypt, called the Great, was one of the foremost of the desert fathers of the fourth century. Retiring to the desert of Scetis, he became the father of the monks who gathered there, renowned for his humility, his gentleness toward sinners, and his deep experience of prayer.

Many of his sayings are preserved among the words of the desert fathers, and spiritual homilies handed down under his name have nourished the Church for centuries. He reposed at a great age and is commemorated on January 19.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Makarios of Egypt is commemorated on January 19. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 1 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Makarios, Makari, Makary, Macarius

Also commemorated on January 19

• Makarios of Alexandria

  Venerable, Μακάριος ο Αλεξανδρεύς

  Venerable Makarios of Alexandria, ascetic of the Cells.

• Mark Eugenikos

  Hierarch, Μάρκος ο Ευγενικός

  St. Mark of Ephesus, defender of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence.

• Arsenios of Corfu

  Hierarch, Αρσένιος Κερκύρας

  St. Arsenios, Archbishop of Corfu, hymnographer.

• Euphrasia of Nicomedia

  Holy Woman, Ευφρασία

  Holy Virgin Martyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia.

  Name days: Euphrasia, Efrasia, Evfrasia

• Meletios Galesiotes

  Venerable, Μελέτιος ο Γαλησιώτης

  Venerable Meletios the Confessor of Mount Galesion.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.