This design, donated to the monastery by a friend, is an iconographic drawing of St. Mary of Egypt, the great model of repentance for the Orthodox. The story of her life is read in the Church each year on the Fifth Thursday of Great Lent, and many of the hymns of the following Sunday are dedicated to her.
A fifth-century harlot, she was converted first by her great longing to venerate the Cross of the Lord. A vision of the Theotokos led her to understand her fallen state and led her to spend years alone in the desert, allowing herself to be filled with God's love. She ended her life reconciled to the Church through making her confession and receiving communion from the elder Zossima, who after her death, told the world about this great saint.
To read the complete life of St. Mary of Egypt, click here:
The reverse of this card reads: "Holy Mary, by your prayers preserve us in temptation and establish the Church in peace."
Available as Note Folders, with saying on inside of front cover, in dozens and half dozens
4 1/4" X 5 1/2" bookmarks 3 1/8" X 4 1/8"