On the Fifth Sunday of Great Fast, the Orthodox Church commemorates Mary of Egypt—a powerful witness to God’s inexhaustible mercy and transformative grace. Once known for a life marked by excess and sin, Mary’s radical conversion is a stirring reminder that no one is beyond the reach of Divine Love. After a fateful encounter with God, she abandoned her former life, venturing into the solitude of the desert where she embraced a life of rigorous asceticism, relentless prayer, and profound repentance.

Mary’s journey from moral ruin to sanctity stands as an enduring testimony that true transformation is possible through repentance and the grace of Christ. Her legacy invites each one of us to examine the depths of our own hearts, to let go of harmful habits, and to seek a renewed union with the Savior. In celebrating her feast, we are encouraged to view the desert—not only as a place of physical solitude—but as a metaphor for the inner space where we confront our weaknesses and discover God’s healing presence.

May the life of Mary of Egypt inspire us during this Great Fast to pursue a more disciplined and sincere relationship with God. As we fast and reflect, let us find courage in her example: to strive for humility, to repent earnestly, and to embrace the transformative power of Divine Mercy that brings the promise of new life and deep spiritual renewal.