Our mother among the saints, Mary of Egypt provides us with a beautiful example of metanoia, or conversion. She lived during the sixth century, and passed away in a remarkable manner in 522. The Church celebrates her feast day on the day of her repose, April 1.
She began her life as a young woman who followed the passions of the body. After a heart-felt conversion at the doors of a church, she fled into the desert to live as an ascetic. At the end of her life, she met the priest St. Zosima in the desert, who learned of her life. After her death, he delivered this story to his fellow monks. Later, the story of her life was written down by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.
The Life of St. Mary of Egypt is read during Great Lent along with the Great Canon of St. Andrew.