Macarius of Dionysiou

Holy New Martyr Macarius was an Athonite monk and a disciple of Patriarch Nifon II of Constantinople, who gave his life for Christ in Thessalonica in the year 1527. Tradition links him with Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos, where Patriarch Nifon had lived, and so he bears the name Macarius of Dionysiou.

Little is known of the early part of his life, and his parents are not known. We know that he was a disciple of Patriarch Nifon and became a monk later. While the two of them were at Vatopedi Monastery on Athos, a desire seized him to be a martyr for Jesus Christ, and Patriarch Nifon gave him his blessing.

Soon afterwards he left Athos for Thessalonica and approached a crowd of Muslims, boldly proclaiming to them that Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to save all people. They rushed on him, beat him and wounded him with a knife, and then took him to prison. The next day he was brought before the qadi, who promised him riches and honours if he would deny Christ and embrace Islam. Macarius answered that if the qadi came to know the true and perfect Christian Orthodox faith, he too would ask to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. His words angered them still more and the blows multiplied, but Macarius stayed firm in Orthodoxy and was condemned to death by beheading.

So he gave his life in the city of Thessalonica on 14 September 1527. The Saint is commemorated on 14 September.