Famous Women in the Bible and History
In our discussion about virtuous mothers, we spoke in the previous issue about Mother Dolagy. In this issue, we speak about:
A Grandmother, a Mother, and a Daughter
They are three saints from one family, each of whom passed on the life of holiness to her daughter. These three saints are:
Macrina the Elder (the grandmother), Emilia (the mother), and Macrina the Younger (the daughter and spiritual mother).
1. Saint Macrina the Elder
She was the grandmother of Saint Basil the Great. She was a disciple of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea.
She and her husband, Gregory, who was one of the very wealthy, confessed the name of Christ.
For the sake of the faith, the two endured many forms of persecution and displacement. For the sake of Christ, they lost all their possessions and lived for years in the mountains and forests.
Among their children was Basil, who married Saint Emilia. She bore him Saint Basil the Great, his sister Macrina, and the rest of their saintly brothers and sisters.
2. Saint Emilia, the Mother
She lived a pure life and chose the life of virginity. However, she was very beautiful and an orphan.
Many admired her remarkable beauty and thought of abducting her. The solution was for her to marry a virtuous man who would protect her from kidnappers, since she was an orphan.
So she married Basil and gave birth to saints, both men and women. Among them were:
- Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, one of the most renowned theologians and the author of the Divine Liturgy that we pray.
- Saint Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, who was a man of visions, a theologian, and a holy ascetic.
- Saint Peter, Bishop of Sebaste.
- Saint Macrina.
3. Saint Macrina the Younger
She was the granddaughter of Macrina the Elder and the daughter of Emilia. She was the spiritual guide of Saints Basil and Gregory, as well as the rest of their brothers and sisters.
She lived a life of asceticism and holiness as a virgin together with her mother, Saint Emilia. Her life as a virtuous spiritual mother requires a lengthy explanation.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Eighth Year (Issue No. 29) – July 22, 1977.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
