The Life of Saint Macrina, Gregory of Nyssa
The Life of Saint Macrina, Gregory of Nyssa
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The Life of Saint Macrina

Author: Gregory of Nyssa

Narrator: Sarah Bacaller

Unabridged: 1 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/11/2021


Synopsis

The Life of Saint Macrina' is a significant work of early Christian literature written by Bishop Gregory of Nyssa. In the form of a letter to the monk Olympus, Gregory describes the life and influence of his sister Macrina. Macrina – also known as ‘Macrina the Younger’ – had helped to establish a monastery and convent in Pontus (in modern-day Turkey) in the fourth century AD. The story centres on Gregory’s final visit to Macrina and is written as testimony to her piety, sanctity and holy influence.

‘The Life of Saint Macrina’ is a fascinating piece of early Christian literature in its focus on a feminine figure of asceticism. It reflects Macrina's influence on her mother and brothers as well as the role she played in shaping early Christian concepts of femininity and asceticism. Macrina was born circa 330 AD in Caesarea (Kayseri) and died in 379 AD in the region of Pontus. She is venerated in many Church traditions including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kirstie on January 29, 2025

Moving in its simplicity, mourning, and respect, St. Gregory of Nyssa’s portrait of his sister inspires not only wonder at her godliness but a true desire to behold Christ and other people with as much love as she did. I’m especially struck by the way she and her brothers attributed so much of their......more

Goodreads review by Cbarrett on December 19, 2021

Very enjoyable short biography of Macrina, the brilliant and godly figure behind two of the leading theologians of the 4th century. Gregory recounts the ways Macrina influenced the family in times of prosperity and adversity and reveals her piety as the source of his own abilities.......more

Goodreads review by Kendall on February 14, 2021

Excellent. Worth your time. Very helpful notes in this edition.......more

Goodreads review by Evan on August 03, 2021

Very short but very good.......more

Goodreads review by R.L.S.D on February 08, 2025

"All times are equidistant from eternity" - Herbert Butterfield For this reason, I am chastened by the Christian from another time, in a way my own epoch does not accomplish. In this slim volume on his teacher and elder sister, Bishop Gregory has pulled back the curtain very slightly on what it mean......more