This icon is a faithful representation according to the description of her, written in the 7th century during her life and attributed to Sophronios. Like a “shadow”, her face appears emaciated by fasting and by the harshness of her life, while her body is skeletal. Her white, wool-like hair is sparse, and she is wearing a simple cloak draped over her skin which has been bronzed by the sun. The white highlights are related to uncreated light, a sign of sainthood.

The scene commemorates the meeting with the monk Zosime, who came to visit her at the end of her life. Wearing a priestly stole, he gives her communion, consisting of bread soaked in wine, with the aid of a long-handled liturgical spoon used in the Byzantine church. The saint is opening her mouth to receive the communion which she takes with her right hand. Her left hand folded over her breast hides her nudity in a gesture of modesty.

Monasticism developed from the 4th century onwards in Egypt and Palestine, following the great hermit Saint Anthony, who began the movement and whose life is known to us by the account written by Athanasius of Alexandria shortly after the saint’s death, in 356. Mary of Egypt is one of the rare known female hermits.

R. Z.