Mary of Vizye

Saint Mary of Vizye, also called Mary the New, lived in Vizye in Thrace in the ninth century and is a saint of the Orthodox Church. Her commemoration is on 16 February.

She was born into a pious family of Constantinople and lived in the time of the emperor Basil I the Macedonian. She married the droungarios Nikephoros. She loved the services of the Church and became known for her works of mercy. After the death of her two children, she moved with her husband to Vizye in Thrace. There she bore two more children and laboured much in aid of the needy.

She was, however, slandered as squandering the property. Nikephoros misunderstood her actions, thought he was being deceived and that their money was being spent to no purpose, and after rebuking her, he struck her. After a painful illness Mary departed this life.

When the coffin in which her body had been laid was opened, it was found whole and gave off a sweet fragrance, and many sick people were healed. Her body remained incorrupt and worked miracles in her church at Vizye.