Thursday 25 July 2019

July:Saint Macrina the Younger

July 19 we remember Saint Macrina, oldest child of nine children, 324-379 A.D.
Two of her brothers are Saint Bishop's, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nissa.
Her brother Gregory wrote down her 'counsels' and she also had a great influence in Basil's conversion,turning his intellectual gifts to the service of the Church.
I am working out a modern Icon, statement, about Macrina's presence with us today, what would she say to our Church?
I think she would be in shock that women continue to be kept out of the 'voice' and contributing to the Synods etc.
In this icon, I have Macrina ripping a document, because, right up to now, most writings coming out of Rome are written by men, ignoring the Feminine contribution. A friend of mine has suggested that we are only 'half' a Church, as women's gifts, contributions are so under represented.
Macrina is flanked by her two brother's, Gregory and Basil, deliberately cut in half as their writings, though substantial, and inspiring, are not complete without the contribution of the feminine. Imagine if Macrina had also been a Bishop? In her time, she founded one of the earliest Monastic communities of contemplative women.                  Saint Macrina pray for us.

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