The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Macarius of Alexandria
c. 305 – c. 395 · Desert father · Priest of Kellia · Kellia, Egypt
The Nicene Age
Who Macarius of Alexandria was
The other great Macarius, a former confectioner of Alexandria and priest of the Cells (Kellia), famous for feats of ascetic rivalry — going without sleep for twenty nights, standing in the marsh among the mosquitoes, matching whatever austerity he heard of. Palladius, who lived under him, tells his exploits with affectionate wonder. Distinguished from his Egyptian namesake by his city; the two Macarii together define the athletic, competitive spirituality of the Lower-Egyptian desert at its height.
Also listed in desert fathers & mothers.
Common questions
When did Macarius live?
Macarius of Alexandria is dated c. 305 – c. 395 in the archive, which places Macarius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Macarius?
Macarius of Alexandria is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from The seven pilgrims' record, Palladius and The desert tradition. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Macarius from?
The archive associates Macarius of Alexandria with Kellia, Egypt. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Macarius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Macarius of Alexandria to 3 other figures, including Macarius the Great (of Egypt), Evagrius Ponticus and Amun of Nitria. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
History of the Monks of Egypt 23
c. AD 400Lausiac History 18
c. AD 420Macarius of Alexandria… whenever he heard of any feat of asceticism, he was all on fire to accomplish the same, and surpassed it. Once, stung by a gnat, he sat naked in the marsh of Scetis six months.Palladius · 18 · source text
Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Macarius of Alexandria)
c. AD 450Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
- AD 366 · Damasus and the catacomb epigrams, AD 366
- AD 367 · Athanasius lists the 27 NT books, AD 367
- AD 372 · The martyrdom of Sabbas the Goth, AD 372
- AD 378 · Queen Mavia’s revolt, AD 378
- AD 380 · The Edict of Thessalonica, AD 380
- AD 381 · The Council of Constantinople, AD 381
- AD 381 · The Council of Aquileia, AD 381
- AD 384 · The Altar of Victory petition, AD 384
- AD 390 · Thessalonica and the penance of Theodosius, AD 390
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Macarius, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.