THE LIFE OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT (Part II)

Abba (Father) Zosimas asked: "Can it be that without getting ill you have lived so many years thus, without suffering in any way from such a complete change?" The woman answered: "You remind me, Father Zosimas, of what I dare not speak of, for when I recall all the dangers that I overcame, and all the violent thoughts that confused me, I am again afraid that they will take possession of me." Zosimas said: "Do not hide from me anything; speak to me without concealing anything."

PRAYERS OF DIVINE INTERCESSION

Forgive, O Lord, those who hate us and treat us unjustly. Do good to those who do good. Grant our brethren and families their requests which are for salvation and eternal life. Visit those who are ill and grant them healing. Watch over those at sea, land, and air and those accompany those who travel. Be an ally to our armed forces and to those in authority. Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and are kind to us. Be merciful according to Your great mercy to those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we be.

THE LIFE AND STRUGGLES OF OUR HOLY MOTHER THE SAINTS MARY OF EGYPT COMMEMORATED ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF GREAT AND HOLY LENT

Saint Mary reveals her life to Abba (Father) Zosimas. "My native land, holy father, was Egypt. Already during the lifetime of my parents, when I was twelve (12) years old, I renounced their love and went to Alexandria. I am ashamed to recall how there I at first ruined my maidenhood and then unrestrainedly and insatiably gave myself up to sensuality...Four about seventeen (17) years, forgive me, I lived like that. I was like a fire of public debauch. And it was not for the sake of gain--here I speak the pure truth. Often when they wished to pay me, I refused the money. I acted in this way so as to make as many men as possible try to obtain me, doing free of charge what gave me pleasure. Do not think that I was rich and that was the reason why I did not take money. I lived by begging, often by spinning flax, but I had an insatiable desire and an irrepressible passion for lying in filth. This was life to me. Every kind of abuse of nature I regarded as life.

ENCOURAGED THROUGH THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

Psalm 119:173-176

Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your Law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

(The service of the Akathist is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnTmqYKNtyIYOH7vU8dW2QQ)

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: Glory To You, our God, Glory to You. Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: Come, take Your abode in us; cleanses us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

The wisest and most rational decision that one can make is to always be ready and to be on the alert. None of us can predict the future and what the future has in store for us. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to be on the ready. Saint Paul the Holy Apostle advises of that when he says, "...put on the whole armor of God...stand your ground!” and "stand FIRM, having the belt of truth around your waist, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having fitted shoes on your feet so as to be ready in the gospel of peace. Above all, take up the shield of faith which will enable you to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word (spoken) by God. Pray at all times in (the) spirit of intercessions and requests: never get tired of this and persevere in your requests…” (Ephesians 6:14-18).