Gregory of Nyssa. The Life of Saint Macrina. Translated by W. K. Lowther Clarke. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1916.
Gregory of Nyssa (4th century) is widely considered the father of Christian mysticism. While exploring mysticism, I came across Gregory of Nyssa and his short biography of his eldest sister Macrina. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter of Sebaste were all Macrina’s brothers and were all bishops. Macrina, Basil, Gregory, and Peter are all saints among many Christian traditions.
Macrina was betrothed to a young man who died before their marriage. She never married. After her father’s death, she took care of her mother and both began to live the ascetic life. Macrina and Peter organized a double monastery, one for men and one for women.
The most important theology of this book is Macrina’s deathbed conversation with Gregory, who happened to visit her. Her sayings touch on the nature of the soul, the origin of death, and the nature of the journey from death to life again.
It’s sad to read Macrina’s deathbed sayings. While we all know one will die sooner or later, death, whether sudden or prolonged, is not something to rejoice in or celebrate. Only faith that goes beyond death can bring hope.”She knew of one store-house alone for her wealth, the treasure in heaven. There she had stored her all, nothing was left on earth.” (p. 63)