( Fourth Century )

St. Macrina the Younger  was born about 330, and died 379. She was the eldest child of St. Basil and Elder Emmelia, the granddaughter of St. Macrina the Elder, and the sister of the Cappadocian Fathers, Sts. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa.

St. Gregory has left us a biography of his sister in the form of a panegyric ("Vita Macrinae Junioris") . She received an excellent intellectual training, though one based more on the study of the Holy Bible than on that of profane literature.

When she was but twelve years old, her father had already arranged a marriage for her with a young advocate of excellent family. Soon afterwards, however, her affianced husband died suddenly, and Macrina resolved to devote herself to a life of perpetual virginity and the pursuit of Christian zeal. She exercised great influence over the religious training of her younger brothers, especially Saint Peter, afterwards Bishop of Sebaste, and through her Saint Gregory received the greatest intellectual stimulation.

On the death of their father, Basil took her, with their mother, to a family estate on the River Iris, in Pontus. Here, with their servants and other companions, they led a life of retirement, consecrating themselves to God. Strict asceticism, zealous meditation on the truths of Christianity, and prayer were the chief concerns of this community. Not only the brothers of St. Macrina but also Saint Gregory of Nazianzen,  and Eustathius of Sebaste were associated with this pious circle and were there stimulated to make still further advances towards the values of Christianity.

 After the death her mother Emmelia, Macrina became the head of this community, in which the fruit of the earnest Christian  life matured so gloriously. On his return from a synod of Antioch, towards the end of 379, St. Gregory of Nyssa visited his deeply venerated sister, and found her grievously ill. In pious discourse the brother and sister spoke of eternal life, and of the meeting in heaven. Soon afterwards Macrina passed blissfully to her reward.

St. Gregory composed a "Dialogue on the Soul and Resurrection" , treating of his pious discourse with his dying sister. In this, Macrina appears as teacher, and treats of the soul, death, the resurrection, and the restoration of all things. Hence the title of the work,' ta Makrinia ' . Her feast is celebrated on July 19.

1st    2nd    3rd    4th    5th    6th    7th    8th    9th    10th    11th    12th    13th    14th    15th    16th    17th    18th    19th    20th