Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: June 14 and July 19

Macrina was born in Caesarea, Cappadocia, into a remarkable Christian family as the daughter of Basil the Elder and Emmelia, and the granddaughter of Macrina the Elder. She shared her upbringing with nine siblings, notably including the Cappadocian Fathers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and the jurist Naucratius. Although her father originally arranged a marriage for her, her fiancé tragically died before the wedding took place. Viewing this betrothal as binding, Macrina chose never to marry another man, instead dedicating herself to Christ as her eternal bridegroom.

From a young age, Macrina demonstrated an extraordinary intellect and deep devotion to faith. According to Gregory of Nyssa’s Life of Macrina, she immersed herself in the study of scripture—particularly focusing on the ethical teachings of the Wisdom of Solomon—at an age when such texts were thought far too complex for children. Her strict adherence to an ascetic ideal subsequently exerted a profound spiritual influence on both her mother and her younger brothers, shaping their religious paths.

Following the sudden death of her brother Naucratius, which deeply devastated her mother, Macrina assumed a central, guiding role in the household. Refusing ever to leave her mother, she moved with her to a family-owned rural estate in Pontus. There, with the assistance of her brother Peter, they established a community of virgins. Uniquely egalitarian for its time, the community welcomed women from both aristocratic and non-aristocratic backgrounds, granting enslaved individuals the exact same rights and responsibilities as their masters.

Macrina passed away at the estate in 379, maintaining her saintly discipline to her final moments by refusing a proper bed in favor of lying directly on the ground. To honor her memory, Gregory of Nyssa immortalized her in his philosophical work Dialogue on the Soul and Resurrection (ta Makrinia), which was modeled on Plato's Phaedo and stands as a rare historical text featuring a woman as the central protagonist. Today, her feast day is celebrated annually on July 19.

Kyriakos Kosova is a master iconographer who spent much of his life in Albania, Greece and Italy. He is now in the US to continue his work in Orthodox Churches to the glory of God. Contact us, if you would like to hire him for your parishes iconographic needs.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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