Macarius the Deacon

Venerable Macarius the Deacon lived in the Far Caves of the Kiev Lavra in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. He was unacquisitive, had great zeal for the house of God, and gave himself constantly to reading Holy Scripture and to fasting.

According to tradition he was often ill as a child, and his parents vowed to give him to the Monastery of the Caves if he recovered. By his meekness and humility he won the love of the brethren, who taught him to read and write. For his devout life he was ordained a deacon, and the Lord gave him the gift of working wonders. He reposed in peace.

He is commemorated on 19 January, together with Saint Macarius of Egypt, whose name he bears, on 28 August in the Synaxis of the Fathers of the Far Caves, and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.