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Upon the death of
Mary’s mother, her father, Evgenios, resolved to dedicate his life
completely to God; therefore, he became a monk. Mary also desired to betroth
herself to Christ. However, she did not wish to be separated from her
father. Hence, our venerable mother discarded her feminine apparel and
donned men’s clothing. She then cropped her hair in a manly fashion and
assumed the name of Marinos. Under this disguise, she entered the very same
monastery as her father near Alexandria of Egypt. Soon after, however, her
father reposed in the Lord. Mary was then tonsured and kept the name of
Marinos. Though her tasks (obediences) involved laboring with the younger
monks, no one ever thought that the young Fr. Marinos might be a woman.
Nearby the monastery, there was an inn. Once, it became
necessary, during a monastic obedience outside the monastery, that Fr.
Marinos lodge at the inn. The innkeeper’s wayward daughter, believing that
Fr. Marinos was a man, burned with desire for the young monk. After pursuing
the monk and humiliating herself when repulsed by Mary, the wanton
innkeeper’s daughter sought revenge. She accused the righteous Fr. Marinos
of seducing her. She did this because she already had illicit relations with
a soldier and had conceived by him. Mary gladly accepted this false
accusation and the reproach that went with it. She even went so far as to
admit that she committed sin with the innkeeper’s daughter. In time, the
innkeeper’s daughter brought forth a son. At this point, Mary was expelled
from the monastery when the newborn was entrusted to her. Henceforth, she
was expected to support and bring up the lad. The responsibility, anxiety,
and care of rearing and feeding another’s infant was something that the
ever-memorable one voluntarily endured with much hardship and public scorn.
During this time, the innkeeper’s daughter went mad when she became
possessed by an evil demon. After three years of enduring deprivation, Mary,
inspired by God, re-entered the same monastery again, together with her
foster son. It was there that she dwelt until her blessed repose in 508.
When preparations were being made for the burial, it was only then
discovered that Monk Marinos was actually a woman. When the innkeeper’s
daughter touched the precious relics of Mary, she was immediately healed
from demonic possession, and admitted that the actual father was some
soldier. At this unexpected turn of events, the abbot of the monastery and
all the brotherhood, who formerly accused the holy one of being wretched and
depraved, now called Mary blessed and worthy of great honor.
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