Abdel Messih El-Makari
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| Saint Abdel Messih el-Makari | |
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 A photo of Saint Abdel Messih el-Makari |
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| Born | 1892 Matai, Egypt |
| Died | 14 April 1963 (6 Parmouti 1669 A.M.) Egypt |
| Honored in | Coptic Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 6 Parmouti (Coptic Calendar) |
Father Abdel Messih El-Makari (or El-Manahri) was a Coptic Orthodox monk and priest, and a 20th century Coptic saint. Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria testified as to the holiness and asceticism of this contemporary saint.
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[edit] Life
Father Abdel Messih El-Makari was born in 1892 in the village of Abou Shehata, Matai district, El-Menya governorate, Egypt. His parents were both Christians; his father's name is Henein and His mother's name is Esther.
[edit] Monk
When he grew up, he wanted to be a spiritual warrior in the army of celibates, so he left the world and headed to the Monastery of St. Abba Samuel the Confessor in El-Kalamoun mountain. He did so several times, and each time his father would come to the monastery and bring him back home, and this was associated with the death of a large number of his father's cattles. At last, his father allowed him to do what he wanted, so he joined the Monastery of St. Abba Makar (Macarius) the Great in the desert of Scetes (Wadi El-Natrun) and became a monk. He led an extremely ascetic life and offered a superior example of true monastic life. Finally, he moved to El-Manahra village, Matai, and God honored him with the gifts of prescience and discerning of spirits.
[edit] Character
He did wonders and miracles similar to those done at the hands of the apostles. He used to cover up his spiritual gifts and virtues with some "odd" behavior, but all people of Matai and Samalout region testify to his holiness. Of those virtues we may mention:
- His marvelous purity for which he was put to the test and came out victorious.
- He was distinguished for his strict asceticism and continuous vigilance. Whether he was at the monastery or out in the world, he spent his nights repeating one complete doxology after another and with tears asking for God's forgiveness for sinning or causing others to sin.
- He was known for his wonderful humility. He fled from praise in spite of the fact that he had the gift of healing the sick.
- He was very compassionate and gave everything he was given to the needy.
- Our Good God gave him the gift of prescience for he knew who was coming to see him and also knew the exact day he will die. He was one of the anchorties.
At the end, he was crowned with the crown of righteousness and good fighting.
[edit] Miracles
St. Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari performed countless miracles throughout his lifetime. Just a fraction of them are listed below:
- A young girl asked Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari to heal her of her paralysis. He then prayed and through of the power of the cross she was able to walk
- A poor family's goose died, which they were going to feast on, on Easter. Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari asked the family to get the goose and dip it in the lake three times and then bring it back to him. The goose then came back to life and the family was able to feast on Easter
- There was a sick girl who wasn't expected to live much longer in the town of Manahra. Her mother then went to Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari, and when he arrived he prayed to God and the girl was immediately healed
- An old woman died in the town of Manahra and their family was grieving around her. Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari arrived and prayed to God. Life then reentered the woman and she immediately got up.
- A couple who had had ten children up to that point with each one dying in infancy went to get Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari's blessings. He then told them they'd have a son and he'd live very long.
- While he was praying a liturgy the blessed St. Mary appeared and all that saw it were amazed.
- A man sent a car to get Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari. When the driver asked him to come, Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari refused. The driver than drove the car back to tell his master that Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari refused to come, but found that Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari was already there and was talking with his master
[edit] Death
He departed our world on Easter Sunday morning of the 6th of Parmouti 1669 A.M. (Coptic calendar)/April 14, 1963. Countless miracles continue to occur to this day through the intercession of St. Abouna Abdel Messih El-Makari.
