The Old Norse-Icelandic life of Mary of Egypt,
Maríu saga egipzku, tells the story of Mary of Egypt, a prostitute from Alexandria who lived during the late fourth and early fifth centuries. According to legend, she joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in hopes of gaining new clientele. While in Jerusalem, she attempted to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but found herself unable to cross the threshold. She then began to reflect on her impure and sinful life, and saw an icon of the Theotokos [the Blessed Virgin Mary], at which point she converted and then retreated to the desert to do penance for her prior sins. One year before her death, the abbot Zosimus encountered her and heard her story. Upon her instruction, he met her on the river Jordan the next year on Holy Thursday to…
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Citation: Van Deusen, Natalie M. "Maríu saga egypsku". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 March 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=40951, accessed 21 November 2024.]
