St. Macarius of Jerusalem

Macarius lived within the fourth century and, as with many saints from that early interval, there may be little or no data accessible about him. What we do know is that Macarius was named bishop of Jerusalem within the 12 months 314. He was famous for his protection in opposition to the heresy of Arianism (denial of the divinity of Christ). Macarius was evidently current on the Council of Nicaea, since he was a kind of who signed the paperwork from that Council.

Legend has it that Macarius was with Saint Helena when she found three crosses in Jerusalem. Legend additional maintains that it was Macarius who recommended {that a} dying girl be touched with every of the crosses. When one among them immediately cured her, they decided that it was the true cross — the one on which our Lord was crucified. Macarius was then commissioned to erect a church over Christ’s sepulchre. Macarius died across the 12 months 335, quickly after the consecration of the basilica.

Lessons

Macarius’ title seems first amongst these of the bishops of Palestine who subscribed to the Council of Nicaea. St. Athanasius, in his encyclical letter to the bishops of Egypt and Libya, locations the title of Macarius amongst these of bishops famend for his or her orthodoxy.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for the early fathers within the Church who defended the religion and saved the flame of reality burning. Now, two thousand years later, we see how necessary it’s for us to proceed to defend the religion and never waiver within the winds of modernity. Help us, Father, to know, love and unfold the gospel of Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Aremenia (320)

photograph by way of WikimediaCommons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Macarius_the_Egyptian.jpg