When another year had passed, he (elder Zosimas) again went into the desert. He reached the same spot but could see no sign of anyone. So, raising his eyes to heaven as before, he prayed: "Show me, O Lord, Thy pure treasure, which Thou hast concealed in the desert. Show me, I pray Thee, Thine angel in the flesh, of which the world is not worthy." Then on the opposite bank of the river, her face turned toward the rising sun, he saw the Saint lying dead. Her hands were crossed according to custom and her face was turned to the East. Running up, he shed tears over the Saint's feet and kissed them, not daring to touch anything else. For a long time, he wept. Then, reciting the appointed psalms, he said the burial prayers and thought to himself: "Must I bury the body of a Saint? Or will this be contrary to her wishes?" And then he saw words traced on the ground by her head: "Abba (Father) Zosimas, bury on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return to dust what is dust and pray to the Lord for me, who departed in the month of Fermoutin of Egypt, called April by the Romans, on the first day, on the very night of our Lord's Passion, after having partaken of the Divine Mysteries" (Sacraments) (522 A.D.).

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.