Venerable New Martyr Macarius

Life

Born in the town of Kion in Bithynia of Christian parents, Peter and Anthusa, and baptized with the name Manuel. His parents gave him to learn the tailor's trade. Meanwhile his father converted to Islam and moved to Brusa. When Manuel once came to Brusa on business, his father found him and pressed him by force to convert to Islam. In vain did Manuel resist: the Turks forcibly circumcised him. Then Manuel fled to the Holy Mountain and was tonsured in the Skete of Saint Anna and received the name Macarius. And he was an excellent monk for twelve years, but never had peace of soul. "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father" (Matthew 10:33) — these words of Christ constantly rang in Macarius's ears. Therefore he resolved, and with the blessing of his elder, went to Brusa and publicly confessed before the Turks his faith in Christ, calling Muhammad a false prophet. After being beaten for 130 days, and suffering yet heavier torments, he was beheaded with the sword in Brusa on October 6, 1590. A portion of his wonder-working relics is preserved in the Skete of Saint Anna on Athos.