Macrina the Younger

Who they were

Macrina, eldest sister of Sts Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, was engaged at twelve; when her fiancé died she resolved on lifelong virginity. She guided the religious training of her younger brothers.

With her mother she lived a life of prayer and asceticism on the family estate in Pontus, which became a community. Gregory visited her as she lay dying in 379 and they spoke of the life to come.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: she has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A consecrated virgin who formed a family of saints.

Connected on this site

• Basil of Caesarea Saint Brother or sister
• Basil the Elder Saint Parent, Father
• Emmelia of Caesarea Saint Parent, Mother
  “She was the wife of Basil the Elder and bore nine or ten children, including Basil of Caesarea (born circa 330), Macrina the Younger, Peter of Sebaste, Gregory of Nyssa, and Naucratius.” — Wikipedia
• Gregory of Nyssa Saint Brother or sister
  “Macrina was elder sister of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Naucratius and Peter of Sebaste.” — Wikipedia
• Naucratius Saint Brother or sister
  “He was the younger brother of Macrina the Younger and Basil the Great, and an older brother of Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebaste.” — Wikipedia
• Peter of Sebaste Saint Brother or sister
  “Macrina was elder sister of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Naucratius and Peter of Sebaste.” — Wikipedia
• Macrina the Elder Saint
  “340) was the mother of Basil the Elder, and the grandmother of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and Macrina the Younger.” — Wikipedia