Saint Mary of Edessa and Abraham of Kidunaia

Sirach 2:4-10

“Accept whatever befalls you,

when sorrowful, be steadfast,

and in crushing misfortune be patient;

For in fire, gold and silver are tested,

and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.

“You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,

for lasting joy and mercy.

You who fear the Lord, love him,

and your hearts will be enlightened.

Study the generations long past and understand;

has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?”

This passage from today’s Mass reading beautifully reminds us of God’s unwavering faithfulness throughout history. It encourages us to reflect on how He has remained steadfast in the lives of His people. Perhaps this is why we are so drawn to the stories of the saints—through them, we witness God’s enduring love in action.

Many saints endured great trials, some resulting from their own sins and failures. Yet, when they turned back to the Lord, they found hope. Even in their darkest moments, God remained faithful.

One such story is that of Saint Mary of Edessa and her uncle, Saint Abraham Kidunaia.

Mary was born into a noble family in 4th-century Syria. Orphaned at the age of seven, she was adopted by her uncle Abraham, a hermit known for his holiness. Under his guidance, Mary dedicated herself to a life of solitude and devotion, living as an anchoress near Abraham’s hermitage for twenty years.

However, her virtue was tested when a monk, who had abandoned his vows, deceitfully gained her trust and eventually seduced her. Overcome with shame and believing her transgression unforgivable, Mary abandoned her life of prayer and fled to another city, where she fell into a life of sin and became a prostitute.

Abraham was heartbroken. For two years, he fasted and prayed for Mary’s return, pleading with God to rescue her from her lost state. One night, he had a dream in which he saw a pure white dove being devoured by a monstrous dragon. As he watched in anguish, a voice told him that the dove was Mary, swallowed up in sin. When he awoke, Abraham knew what he had to do.

Determined to bring her home, he disguised himself as a wealthy soldier and traveled to the brothel where Mary was living. Without revealing his identity, he requested her services for the night. When Mary entered the room, expecting just another client, she was stunned to find her beloved uncle Abraham standing before her.

Overcome with emotion, Mary began to weep. Abraham tenderly reminded her of God’s mercy, assuring her that no sin was greater than His love. He told her of his dream and how God had sent him to rescue her from the grip of sin, just as he had pulled the dove from the dragon.

Mary, deeply moved by his love and persistence, repented and returned home with him. She spent the rest of her life in penance and prayer, ultimately becoming known for her deep holiness.

Her story, like so many others, is a testament to God’s faithfulness. No matter how far we may stray, His mercy is always greater than our failures.