Saint Macarius, the holy martyr, came from a poor peasant family in the Bithynian region and was baptized with the name Manuel. From a young age, he learned the craft of tailoring and Christian piety. However, when his father renounced Christianity and accepted the Muslim faith, Manuel, having been forcibly circumcised, fled to the Holy Mount Athos, where he took monastic vows under the name Macarius.
Despite his monastic feats, he suffered from spiritual turmoil due to the forced circumcision and sought a way to reconcile with God. Macarius decided to return to Brussa to confess his faith and accept a martyr's death for Christ. His elder, seeing his determination, blessed him for this endeavor.
In Brussa, the saint openly confessed his faith, for which he was captured and subjected to cruel tortures. The judge, finding no clear evidence against him, initially wanted to release him, but under pressure from the crowd, changed his decision and ordered him to be tortured. Macarius endured all sufferings with steadfastness, even when he was lowered into a well and subjected to brutal tortures.
After ninety days of torment, the saint was summoned before the judge, who, hearing of the miracles occurring with Macarius, ordered him to be beheaded. Thus, the saint accepted a martyr's end, receiving a crown from Christ.
The relics of the saint remained unburied for several days, and a Divine light appeared over them. Part of the relics was secretly buried by pious Christians, while another part was sent to the Holy Mount Athos and to his mother's native village.
Saint Macarius the holy martyr suffered on October 6, 1590.
