Macarius

Venerable Confessor Macarius was an ascetic and confessor in the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363), together with Saint Eugene. They suffered together and departed to the Lord in the desert of Mauritania.

Macarius and Eugene were seized in the time of Julian and bravely confessed before the pagan emperor that Jesus Christ is the true God, rebuking his idolatrous beliefs. Julian ordered them tortured: they were hung up and set on a grate red hot with fire, but by the grace of God they remained whole and unharmed. Then he exiled them to Mauritania. They came to a place where they struggled in prayer and fasting. The inhabitants advised them to leave, since a dragon lived there. The venerable men were not afraid but prayed fervently to God, and at once a bolt of lightning fell from heaven and burned the dragon.

Then they entered the cave where the dragon had lived and prayed there, without eating or drinking. On the thirtieth day they heard a voice from heaven commanding them to go to a rock nearby. When they went, they saw a strong light coming out of the rock, which split in two, and abundant water flowed from it. After they had drunk and been refreshed, they prayed eight more days and fell asleep in peace, entrusting their souls to the Lord. They are commemorated on 19 February, according to the new calendar.