In one of the Palestinian monasteries lived the elder Zosimas, who, having reached the age of 53, decided to seek guidance and perfection in the desert. He left his monastery and came to the community by the Jordan River, where he saw the elders living in strict fasting and prayer.
At the beginning of Great Lent, the monks would go into the desert, and Zosimas, following this custom, also went into the desert, where after 20 days he met a woman, naked and scorched by the sun. This was Mary of Egypt, who, seeing him, was first frightened and ran away, but then stopped and asked for his blessing.
She told Zosimas about her life, how in her youth she left her parents and went to Alexandria, where she indulged in debauchery for 17 years. After coming to Jerusalem and being unable to enter the church, she turned to the Most Holy Theotokos for help and repentance. Receiving a revelation, she crossed the Jordan and went into the desert, where she spent 47 years in repentance and prayer.
Mary spoke of how she struggled with temptations and passions, and how the Theotokos always helped her. She asked Zosimas not to tell about her life until she departed from this world and requested him to bring her Communion the following year.
Zosimas, returning to the monastery, prayed for a meeting with her. The next year, on the day of the Last Supper, he came to the Jordan with Communion. Mary came to him, crossed the river as if on dry land, and after receiving Communion, said: “Now You dismiss Your servant, O Master, according to Your word, in peace.” After this, she asked him to pray for her and withdrew into the desert.
Zosimas, remaining in full reverence, returned to the monastery, glorifying God for the miracles shown through the saint.
