About Us

Born in Egypt in the 4th century, she left home as a teenager and lived a life of indulgence in Alexandria. Years later, she travelled to Jerusalem and tried to enter the Church of the Resurrection. A mysterious force stopped her at the door. In that moment of grace, she recognised her sinfulness and cried out to the Theotokos (St Mary, the Mother of God) in prayer.

After finally being allowed in, she heard a voice say, “If you cross the Jordan River, you will find rest and salvation.” She obeyed, leaving behind the world and crossing into the desert, where she lived alone for decades in deep repentance.

Her story comes to us from a monk named Zosimas, who encountered her in the wilderness during the Great Fast. At first, she avoided him. When he caught up to her, he found a woman clothed only in rags, with wild hair and a radiant spirit. Though she appeared rough in appearance, he was struck by the holiness that filled her.

St Mary asked Zosimas to return a year later to give her Holy Communion, which he did. The following year, he returned again and found she had passed away, with a note written in the sand asking him to bury her.

St Mary’s story is one of radical repentance, fierce struggle, and deep grace. Though she lived alone, her longing was to be united with Christ and His Church. We commemorate her on April 14 in the Coptic calendar.