Makarios of Pelekete

Venerable Makarios the Confessor, abbot of the Pelekete Monastery in Bithynia, who suffered exile for the holy icons.

Makarios was born in Constantinople and, orphaned young, was raised by a pious uncle who gave him a thorough grounding in Scripture. He entered the Monastery of Pelekete in Bithynia and in time became its abbot, known for his humility and gift of healing.

When the iconoclast emperors renewed their persecution of icon-venerators, Makarios refused to renounce the holy images and was imprisoned and exiled. Tradition relates that he died in exile in the ninth century, faithful to the end.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Makarios of Pelekete is commemorated on April 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 14 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on April 1

• 

  Mary of Egypt

  Holy Woman, Μαρία η Αιγυπτία

  Venerable Mary of Egypt, great penitent saint.

  Name days: Maria, Mary, Maro, Marianna, Marika, Mariam, Marie

• Gerontios and Basilides

  Martyr, Γερόντιος και Βασιλείδης

  Holy Martyrs Gerontios and Basilides, who were beheaded for their confession of Christ.

• Hermes and Theodora

  Martyr, Ερμής και Θεοδώρα

  Holy Martyrs Hermes and Theodora, brother and sister, who suffered together for Christ.

• Abraham of Bulgaria

  Martyr, Αβραάμιος ο Νεομάρτυρας

  Holy New Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, a Volga merchant who embraced Christ and was killed by his own people.

• Euthymius of Suzdal

  Venerable, Ευθύμιος Σουζδαλίας

  Venerable Euthymius, archimandrite and founder of the Saviour Monastery in Suzdal.

• Barsanuphius of Optina

  Venerable, Βαρσανούφιος της Όπτινα

  Venerable Barsanuphius, elder of the Optina Hermitage and former army officer.