Venerable Makarios, Igoumen of Pelēketḗ

Saint Makarios (Christóphoros in the world) was born at Constantinople in 785. He lost both his parents when he was still a child, and a pious uncle assumed responsibility for his upbringing and education, and also taught him to love God. In a short time his knowledge of Holy Scripture increased, and he realized that there are earthly and corruptible things, and also things which are heavenly, incorruptible, and eternal.

Since he was drawn to the monastic life, he forsook the world and fled to the monastery of Saint John the Theologian, also called Pelēketḗ, at Triglia of Proussa in Bithynia, where the renowned ascetic, Saint Hilarion (March 28) was the Igoumen. After receiving the monastic tonsure, he was given the name Makarios. The young monk began to engage in ascetical struggles and prayer. Later, by God's will, Saint Makarios was chosen as the Igoumen of the Monastery after Saint Hilarion's repose.

Saint Makarios became a Spiritual Father for all, not only for the monks, but also for the faithful, who flocked to him seeking his advice, his prayers, and for the healing of both soul and body, since God had given him the extraordinary gift (χάρισμα) of working miracles.

Patriarch Tarasios (784 – 806) was aware of the Saint's reputation, so he sent to him to the patrician Paul, who was suffering from an incurable illness. Saint Makarios healed him, and later he healed Paul's wife of the same illness. After that, Patriarch Tarasios took the Saint to Constantinople, and ordained him to the holy priesthood. The holy Elder submitted to the Patriarch's will because, as he said himself, "I hate disobedience and love obedience."

The heresy of iconoclasm erupted during the reign of the Byzantine Emperors Leo V the Armenian (813-820) and Michael II the Stammerer (820-829). Leo exiled the holy Patriarch Nikēphóros, and he had many monks and priests tortured, exiled, or thrown into prison.

Saint Makarios also suffered as a confessor because of his veneration of the Holy Icons. Since he was loved and respected, he was sentenced to prison, where he remained until Leo's death. Emperor Michael the Stammerer succeeded Leo in the year 820, and released the Elder from prison. He was an iconoclast, however; therefore, he tried to flatter the Saint, urging him to condemn the veneration of icons, but he remained steadfast in his faith.

Seeing that torture and threats were ineffective, Michael had the Saint exiled to the small island of Aphousia, which is in the Sea of Marmara, near Alona. There he lived in hardship and deprivation for many years continually giving thanks to God.

Saint Makarios went to the Lord around the year 830, and was succeeded as Igoumen by the monk Sergius the Solitary, who wrote his Life.