Saint Mary of Egypt

I was born in Egypt and ran away from home when I was 12 years old. I settled in the city of Alexandria and worked there as a prostitute. In my life's story fact and legend are closely intertwined. I joined the crowd headed to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the hope of good business, but that was a disappointment. In Jerusalem I looked at my life in a new light and greatly regretted what I saw. I promised I would abandon my sinful life style, and repent during a life in solitude with God alone. I withdrew into the desert, where I lived for the next 47 years. Before my death, I met a priest named Zosimus whom I asked to bring me Communion. I died alone in the desert.