The Fifty Spiritual Homilies of St. Macarius

Macarius was born in southern Egypt around 300 A.D. As a youth he was smuggler of saltpeter and became familiar with the desert of Egypt. He was known for his wisdom. and was called "old young man."

Macarius, at the behest of his parents, got married, but his wife soon died along with his parents. Macarius then gave away all his money to the poor. He then sought out an elder to instruct him. The elder he attached himself to, guided him in the spiritual science of watchfulness, fasting and prayer. He also instructed him in the art of weaving baskets.

Some time later, a pregnant woman accused him of lying with her. Macarius did not try to defend himself, and accepted the charge in silence. However, when the woman's delivery drew near, her labor became exceedingly difficult. She did not manage to give birth until she revealed the true father. The town came asking for his forgiveness, but he had fled to the Nitrian Desert to escape glory.

While at the desert, he visited Anthony the Great and learned monasticism from him. After he left, around the age of forty, he return to his former desert and governed a monastic community there for the rest of his life.

St. Macarius is venerated in all denominations and his homilies have always been highly regarded in Christian circles to this present day.

This app version is cross-linked to the KJV Bible, allowing one to easily check the references. There is also a text-to-speech option. The translation is done by A. J. Mason.