The Life of Saint Macrina

by Gregory of Nyssa

Saint Macrina (327 - 370) was a major guiding force in the early development of monasticism and it was through her example that her brother, Saint Basil the Great, was inspired to establish one of the first monastic communities. This life, written by her other famous brother, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, is one of the masterpieces of Christian literature.

Genres: Biography, Christianity, Christian, History, Theology, Church History, Religion

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 380

About the author

Gregory of Nyssa was a Christian bishop and saint. He was a younger brother of Basil the Great and a good friend of Gregory Nazianzus. His significance has long been recognized in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity.

Gregory along with his brother Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus are known as the Cappadocian Fathers. They attempted to establish Christian philosophy as superior to Greek philosophy.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Macrina the Younger and her brother St Gregory of Nyssa came from a remarkable family, which included St Basil of Caesarea and their several holy siblings and parents. Not only did they contribute to the flourishing of monasticism, not only did they make strides in orthodox theology, not only did they lay down their lives in service--they were the first in the ancient world to envision and practice communities without slavery or classism. Seventeen hundred years later, we are still struggling in the modern world to follow their holy example in this way.

A brief and profound read for Eastertide. Macrina's deathbed prayer, selections of which are quoted below, is a traditional Easter morning read for me. May I ever grow in steadfastness, humility, faith, and holiness like her!

-----

You have released us, O Lord, from the fear of death.
You have made the end of life here on earth
a beginning of true life for us.
You let our bodies rest in sleep in due season
and you awaken them again
at the sound of the last trumpet.
You entrust to the earth our bodies of earth
which you fashioned with your own hands
and you restore again what you have given,
transforming with the incorruptibility of grace
what is mortal and deformed in us.
You redeemed us from the curse and from sin,
having become both on our behalf....
You have opened up for us a path
to the resurrection,
having broken down the gates of hell
and reduced to impotence
the one who had power over death.
You have given to those who fear you
a visible token, the sign of the holy cross,
for the destruction of the Adversary
and for the protection of our life.....
You who have cut through the flame
of the fiery sword and brought to paradise
the man who was crucified with you,
who entreated your pity,
remember me also in your kingdom,
for I too have been crucified with you....(41-42)

[Dominika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayer of St. Macrina on her deathbed:

Lord, you have taken the fear of death away from us. The end of our life here you have made the beginning of true life. For a little while you will let our bodies rest in sleep, and then with the last trumpet you will wake them from their sleep.

You give to the Earth to keep for you this earth of ours, which you shaped with your own hands; and you will take it back again, and from a mortal, formless lump transform it into a thing of immortal beauty.

To free us from sin and from the curse laid upon us, you took both sin and the curse upon yourself.

You crushed the head of the dragon that had seized men by the throat and thrust it into the gulf prepared for the disobedient.

When you shattered the gates of hell and trampled the devil, death’s lord, beneath your feet, you cleared the way for our resurrection.

To us who fear you, you gave a sign, the sign of your holy cross, to destroy the enemy and infuse new vigor into our lives.

O eternal God, you have been my refuge since I left my mother’s womb; I love you with all my inmost strength; I have devoted myself, body and soul, to you from my childhood onwards.

Set now an angel of light beside me and bid him take my hand and lead me to the resting-place where there is water for refreshment, beside the dwellings of the holy fathers.

The flaming sword you snapped in two; the man who hung upon the cross with you and implored your great mercy you restored to paradise. Remember me, too, now that you are back in your kingdom, since I also have hung upon the cross with you and the nails have pierced my flesh; for I have always feared your judgment. May the dread gulf not divide me from your elect or the Slanderer stand in my way; may your eyes not rest on my sins.

If out of the weakness of human nature I have fallen and sinned in word or deed or thought, forgive it me; for you have power to forgive sins on Earth. When I am divested of my body, may I stand before you with my soul unspotted; receive it, blameless and faultless, with your own hands.

Amen.

[Kirstie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving in its simplicity, mourning, and respect, St. Gregory of Nyssa’s portrait of his sister inspires not only wonder at her godliness but a true desire to behold Christ and other people with as much love as she did. I’m especially struck by the way she and her brothers attributed so much of their spiritual and earthly blessings to the prayers of their parents and simple piety: memorizing and praying Scripture, giving to the poor and sick, and treasuring above all else “the good portion” which would not be taken away from them.

Technically, this is a 4.5 star review because I am wary of what appears to be a Christian stoicism that doesn’t seem to take into account Jesus weeping over death, even on the cusp of resurrection. But I would be happy to be wrong if I discover that is a misreading.

[Kendall Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Worth your time. Very helpful notes in this edition.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable short biography of Macrina, the brilliant and godly figure behind two of the leading theologians of the 4th century. Gregory recounts the ways Macrina influenced the family in times of prosperity and adversity and reveals her piety as the source of his own abilities.

[Evan Leister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short but very good.

[Steve Kays · Rating 5 out of 5]

The warmth that Gregory of Nyssa displays for his older sister, “his teacher in all things”, was so moving.

May my deathbed prayer be even as half as beautiful as Saint Macrina’s. If a major part of the Christian life is slowly learning to pray with our whole selves, which I think it is, what an example she leaves us.

[R.L.S.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All times are equidistant from eternity" - Herbert Butterfield

For this reason, I am chastened by the Christian from another time, in a way my own epoch does not accomplish. In this slim volume on his teacher and elder sister, Bishop Gregory has pulled back the curtain very slightly on what it means to live the hidden life.

[Daniel Rempel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite an astonishing little text. If Gregory is right, Macrina must certainly be one of the most important (or at least most under-appreciated) people in the whole of the Christian tradition.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great encouragement to let go of the desires of the world and to pursue a life of greater devotion to prayer, humility, generosity, and love which come from God. Macrina is such an example of proximity to God while in this world through her life of utter devotedness to God especially in prayer and in meditation on Scripture. It challenges my own priorities in life.

[Alex Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gregory constantly refers to Macrina as “the great Macrina” throughout his biography. He cannot speak more highly of her, and it seems that if he tried, he would write “to infinity.” Her character was “sublime” Of her beauty, “there did not seem to be any such marvel in the whole of that country which could compare.” In tragedy her excellence shone through. She was an outstanding teacher of philosophy, herself living by it “to the highest limit of human virtue.” Her soul was “authentic and undebased.” God caused her good works to “grow like seeds into an abundant stream of fruitfulness.” Her words were beautiful. When reflecting on her life, Gregory concludes that “she had transcended the common nature.” Her sublime mindset in the face of death seemed to Gregory “as if an angel had providentially assumed human form.” Most importantly, nothing could turn her gaze from her beloved Jesus.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm dipping my toe into church history (specifically, women of church history) and this was a very accessible starting place. I'm still not sure *how* to read hagiography as an evangelical. I'm learning.

[Sarah Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Continence (celibacy) was their luxury, and obscurity their glory. Poverty, and the casting away of all material superfluities like dust from their bodies, was their wealth."

The glory of obscurity, the luxury of self-control, and the riches of neediness.... I want a faith in and love for Christ like this.  

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth century was so rock and roll. Great translation.

[Ashraf Bashir · Rating 2 out of 5]

الكتاب علي المستوي البلاغي والروحي ضعيف جداً، لكنه علي المستوي الآبائي مميز، خاصة ان الكتاب يعد من أقدم أدلة تصالح المسيحية مع الفلسفة ومع العلوم في عصرها، فبعكس السائد لدي بعض باحثي الآبائيات ان المسيحية كانت في خلاف دائم مع العلم والفلسفة، فهذا الكتاب يعد دليل تاريخي علي تبجيل المسيحية في قرونها الأولي للفلسفة واعتبارها منبع الأخلاق، وعلي تبجيل العلم مثل علم الطب، واعتباره هبة الهية للبشر لفائدتهم وخلاصهم، فنري القديس غريغوريوس يصف الفلسفة انها "ترتقي بالانسان الاي أعلي قمم الفضيلة الانسانية" أما عن علم الطب فوصفه: "فن من هبات الله لخلاص البشر"، لذا فتعد تلك الرسالة أحد أهم الوثائق التاريخية في علم الباترولوجي للرد علي الزعم بالخلاف بين المسيحية والعلوم الطبيعية والفلسفية. فيما عدا ذلك، فاسلوب الرسالة ضعيف لا يرقي الي مستوي كاتبه، كما ان الاسترسال في السرد والتكرار يصيب القارئ بالملل سريعاً. ولكن يمكن التغاضي عن اسلوب ا��كاتب وقلة بلاغته وعدم تأثيره روحيا في قارئيه، عن طريق ملاحظة ان النثر المطروح ما هو الا رسالة، وليست خطبة وعظية بلاغية، فالمعلوم عن القديس غريغورويس النيصي تاريخيا انه خطيب بارع.

[Pat Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Studying the Patristics (early church fathers), has become a deep passion of mine this year. Within that passion lies a secret love for the Cappadocian fathers. Macrina (an early church mother - “matristic”), lived a life that was amazing. Her life of ministry was so fascinating that her dear brother, Gregory (a well known Cappadocian father) wrote a biography of his sister.

The affection that the saints of old felt for one another in the early church is a challenge to us today. Macrina was a soul that persecuted saints found refuge in.

I write this brief review with the knowledge that in my Baptist tradition; often times we have a hard time looking at Christian history prior to the reformation. The effort of retrieving patristic works that has been popular in Christian intellectual circles are good and worthy of our reading lists.

To my fellow sisters in Christ, I would commend this short, ancient, but immensely deep work to edify your souls. I invite you to join me in sitting under the wisdom of an ancient sister’s story.

Praise the Lord for Saint Macrina! 10/10 read!

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read. It is unusual from the Patristic writers that it is in praise of a woman. St Gregory is writing an encomium about his sister, but really also his family. It was interesting, but I didn't find it profound (if I measure a book by how many passages I highlighted, then this book wouldn't get many stars). As with many hagiographies, there is that tendency to idealize things, so it is hard to know how factual the details are. Although Gregory is emotionally attached to his sister, there is for me an unusual element in his writing style that he writes as an observer of his family rather than a member of it - describing his parents and grandparents from his sister's perspective, but almost as if he didn't know his own family of origin.

[Luke Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but inspiring read. It helped me to think about what it means to live a quiet life. Macrina’s love and meekness leaves its legacy solely through its beneficiaries. Though Gregory may get a bit carried away in his exaltation of his sister, it seems to come from a sincere love for her and being overwhelmed by the godliness manifest in her life. Her life is a witness to the fruit of drinking long and deep at the fountain of the Scriptures. What Gregory calls ‘philosophy’ gave me a new perspective on the word. A great read!

[Hanna Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, 45 minute read. Incredible story of Macrina, a saint I've never heard of, written by her brother (also a saint).

When she died, her brother was looking for a nicer robe to bury her in than the one she was wearing. In response, a fellow monk said:

"There is nothing she has stored away....in boxes or her bedroom. She knew of one store-house alone for her wealth, the treasure in heaven. There she has stored her all, nothing was left on earth." ❤️‍🔥

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short work seemed to keep coming up and was spoken highly of, so I was eager to read it. Macrina was the sister of the famous brothers Gregory and Basil of the fourth century. She certainly seemed to be a remarkable person in her own right.

Read in one sitting (skipped the intro).

[Monique Mathiesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful tribute to St Gregory’s sister, who was a shining example of purity, love, and perseverance. Through many trials, she remained perfectly contented and joyous in the Lord, finishing her life with diginity worthy of a Queen.

[Emily Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Gregory of Nyssa records the life of his incredible family, especially that of his sister, St. Macrina. It is beautiful and inspiring, and also realistic and relatable. This is one of my favorite biographies of a saint I’ve ever read.

[Joy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short account of the life of a godly woman. Very interesting, but a bit odd.

[Aumaine Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offered an essential and rare glimpse into the life of one early Christian woman

[Brady Graves]

Read for PhD seminar

Gregory of Nyssa tells the story of his big sister. The best implicit definition of lived philosophy I’ve read

[Phillip Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great biography about a truly exceptional woman. Macrina and her family were pioneers in such fields as being anti slavery and the founding of monastic orders. We are definitely in need of a Macrina for our times.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting example of hagiography, as Gregory presents his elder sister Macrina as a sort of combination of the pagan philosopher Socrates and the Christian saint Thecla. It also becomes clear that this must have been a truly exceptional family: the grandparents were saints, the parents were saints, among the children, a great number were saints, bishops, theologians, founders of monasteries and convents, etc. Interesting that despite having brothers of Basil the Great and Gregory himself, great bishops and theologians, it was Macrina who was looked up to as the intellectual and spiritual guide of the family. That says something about how exceptional an individual she must have been in her circumstances. I look forward to reading Gregory's _On the Soul and Resurrection_ next, where the comparison between Socrates and Macrina is given its greatest development in a philosophical dialogue that parallels and challenges Plato's Phaedo. (This is based on an event mention in _The Life of Saint Macrina_: Gregory arrives to visit his sister soon after the death of Basil, full of grief on his account, and discovers that Macrina herself is also near death, and she proceeds to comfort him on both accounts.)

[Jeremy Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macrina was his big sister and he documents her faith and oversized influence on their family (she was truly the spiritual anchor).

Gregory and Basil of Caesarea the most well known brothers of Macrina, being two of the three "Cappadocian Fathers". But Macrina deserves to be more well known, especially as an inspiration for women.

Though they were a wealthy family who had multiple properties and slaves, she convinced her mother (after Father's death) to turn their home into a monastary. She also did away with the master-slave hierarchy and had them all treat one-another as sisters instead. Though being a woman of beauty, she didn't get married but lived a life in service to her mother, siblings, and her Lord.

Out of her brothers, three become bishops. We still read their writings and know of their faith today because of that big sisters influence.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a Spanish translation of this that was so well done. It brought out the poetic beauty even in the most painful moments, such as the description of St. Macrina's death and preparation of funerary rites. I'm eager to read the Greek original now. St. Macrina was such an example of sainthood for everyone, but particularly for women who seek to be closer to God, even nowadays, and St. Gregory doesn't hesitate to highlight her every virtue, as well to write down her deathbed prayer. How much of this is literary artifice, it's hard to say, really. But I do know one thing: there's no going back and I have to read the Eulogy of St. Basil now.

[tomes&tea]

How did a book barely over an hour make me cry