He was born in Egypt around the year 301. With love and diligence, he served his parents in their old age, fulfilling the commandment to honor parents, and after their death, he became completely free from worldly cares. Under the guidance of an experienced elder monk, Macarius began to undergo silent monasticism. He first settled in a deserted place, then moved to the Nitrian mountain in the Faransky desert.
After living in the desert for three years, he went to the blessed Anthony the Great, the father of Egyptian monasticism, and became his devoted disciple. Living with him for a long time, by the saint's advice, he withdrew to the Skete desert, where he proved to be an experienced and mature monk. Here he had to struggle with demons, who could not defeat him, as he possessed a great weapon – humility.
When the saint turned 40, he was ordained a priest and appointed abbot of the monks in the Skete desert. He often visited the great Anthony, receiving guidance from him. Blessed Macarius was present at the blessed death of Anthony and received his staff, with which he supported his weak body. With the spirit of Anthony, he performed many miracles, including conversing with the skull of a pagan priest.
Due to the multitude of people coming to him, he dug a deep cave under his cell, where he hid from those disturbing his prayers. The blessed one reached such boldness in prayer that by his prayer, the Lord raised the dead, yet he continued to maintain extraordinary humility.
During the reign of Emperor Valens, blessed Macarius the Great, along with blessed Macarius of Alexandria, was persecuted by the Arian bishop Luke. Both elders were captured and sent to a deserted island, where, after healing the daughter of a priest, the pagans accepted Holy Baptism. The Arian bishop, upon learning of this, allowed the elders to return to their deserts.
The saint spent 60 years in the desert, spending time in conversation with God and in a state of spiritual ecstasy. His experience became the foundation for profound theological works, of which 50 discourses and 7 ascetic words remain. The main thought in his works is the union of the soul with God.
Blessed lived to be 97 years old. On the eve of his death, the blessed Anthony and Pachomius appeared to him, bringing the joyful news of his imminent transition to the blessed heavenly abodes. He began to prepare for death. Nine days later, a Cherub appeared to him with many Angels, and his soul was taken to heaven, while the air demons stood afar and cried out that blessed Macarius had escaped them.
