Mar of Syria

Venerable Mar (Maris) was a hermit in Syria in the fourth and fifth centuries. News of him is given by Theodoret of Cyrrhus in the twentieth chapter of his Religious History, for he knew him personally. The Serbian Church commemorates him on 25 January by the old calendar, which is 7 February by the new.

While still young, Mar delighted the people with his voice at the feasts of the martyrs, fulfilling the office of cantor, and drew people by his pleasing singing. He remained a cantor for a long time, even in the flower of bodily beauty. But neither bodily beauty, nor a clear and pleasing voice, nor contact with many people harmed the beauty of his soul, and he remained a virgin until death. Leaving the world, he shut himself away in seclusion. Near the village of Omira he built a small dwelling, enclosed himself in it and lived there thirty-⁠seven years, in fasting, prayer and the cleansing of the heart from evil thoughts. His hut, lying near the mountains, took in much dampness, and in winter water ran down its walls. The dampness harmed his health and brought on illness, but he would not move, and stayed there to the end.

Mar was simple and could not bear cunning, and he counted poverty the greatest prosperity. In his monastic life he was content with garments made of goat hair and ate a little bread with salt. Theodoret often came to his hut and spoke with him. When Theodoret came, Mar would embrace him and begin long conversations about divine wisdom. After a long time in seclusion, Mar wished to see how the spiritual and mystical sacrifice is offered and asked Theodoret to celebrate the divine Eucharist in his dwelling, which was not far from Cyrrhus. Theodoret gladly agreed and ordered the holy vessels to be brought. Instead of a table he used the hands of the deacons, on which he celebrated the Liturgy. Mar was filled with such great spiritual joy that he saw heaven, and afterwards told Theodoret that he had never felt such joy. According to the Serbian source, he died in 430, at the age of ninety.