Saint Macrina the Younger
Stored in Cargo: Saint Macrina the Younger
| Saint Macrina the Younger | |
| Feast Day | July 19 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Widows, ascetics |
| Birthplace | Caesarea, Cappadocia, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Annesi, Cappadocia, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | None |
Saint Macrina the Younger (4th century AD – 379 AD) was a Cappadocian nun, known for her asceticism and influence on her brothers, Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory of Nyssa. Born in Caesarea, Cappadocia, she founded a monastic community in Annesi, guiding early Christian asceticism. Canonized pre-Congregation, she is venerated for her holiness.[1]
Macrina is the patron saint of widows and ascetics, with her feast day on 19 July. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion, she lacks a primary shrine but is revered in Cappadocian churches. Her ascetic legacy endures.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Macrina was born in the 4th century AD, likely 327 AD, in Caesarea, Cappadocia, Roman Empire, to a prominent Christian family.[1] Caesarea’s theological center shaped her faith. Daughter of Basil the Elder, she was educated by her mother, Emmelia.
Her piety emerged early, guiding her siblings.[3]
Early Life
Macrina rejected marriage, embracing virginity after her fiancé’s death.[4] Around 356 AD, she transformed her family estate in Annesi into a monastic community, living ascetically with her mother and women. She mentored her brothers in theology.
Her community influenced Cappadocian monasticism.[5]
Occupation
Macrina was a nun.[1] Leading her Annesi community, she prayed, worked, and cared for the poor. Her “occupation” was spiritual guidance, shaping her brothers’ ecclesiastical careers.
Her asceticism set a monastic model.[6]
Vocation
Macrina’s religious vocation began with her vow of virginity around 345 AD.[1] Her Annesi monastery, founded around 356 AD, emphasized prayer and poverty. She counseled Gregory of Nyssa, whose *Life of Macrina* details her sanctity.
Her influence strengthened early monasticism.[7]
Death
Macrina died in 379 AD in Pontus, Roman Empire, from natural causes, likely aged 52.[1] She passed in her monastery, surrounded by nuns, as recorded by Gregory. Her death inspired devotion.
No primary shrine exists, but her legacy endures.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Caesarea, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
Death location: Annesi, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
Notable location: Monastic community leadership (Founded) (Annesi, Cappadocia, Roman Empire)
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Parishes
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Locations
Legend
- Birth location: Caesarea, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
- Death location: Annesi, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
- Notable location: Monastic community leadership (Founded) (Annesi, Cappadocia, Roman Empire)
- Notable location:
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Canonization
Servant of God
Macrina’s sainthood was recognized post-379 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; her asceticism affirmed sanctity. Gregory’s *Life of Macrina* documented her life.
Devotion grew in Cappadocia.[1]
Venerable
Macrina was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her monastic legacy affirmed virtue. Cappadocian churches ensured her status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Macrina did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] Her veneration bypassed such stages. Cappadocia honored her with a feast day by the 5th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Macrina was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] Her feast day of 19 July was set by the 5th century. No miracles were required; her sanctity sufficed.
Her veneration thrives in Orthodox Christianity.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Macrina was not beatified.[1] Her sainthood rested on asceticism. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Macrina’s canonization.[1] Her monastic life sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Macrina is the patron saint of widows and ascetics.[2] Her patronage supports spiritual discipline.[9]
Feast day
Macrina’s feast day is 19 July, celebrated with Masses in Orthodox Christianity and Anglican Communion.[1] Cappadocian churches honor the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Macrina is venerated through Masses, novenas, and Cappadocian devotions.[2] Ascetics seek her intercession. No primary shrine exists, but churches honor her.
Depicted with a cross, her asceticism, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in Gregory’s writings.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Macrina the Younger". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-macrina-the-younger/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Macrina the Younger". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2251. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Macrina the Younger". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09510b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Macrina the Younger". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Macrina-the-Younger. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Macrina the Younger". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-macrina-the-younger/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Macrina the Younger". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-macrina-the-younger-584. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Basil Papadopoulos. "Cappadocian Monasticism". Patriarchate of Constantinople. https://www.cappadociachurches.com/monasticism. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Macrina the Younger". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/19/101898-saint-macrina-the-younger. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Macrina the Younger". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-macrina-the-younger. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Macrina the Younger, Cappadocian Nun". CatholicSaints via X. 19 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/macrina2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.