Saint Mary of Edessa, also known as Mary the Harlot, was born into a noble family in Syria. Her parents died when she was 7 and she was adopted by her uncle St. Abraham Kidunaia the hermit, and lived a holy life with him for 20 years. Until one day a dissonant monk came to town and spent a year seducing her until she gave herself to him. Horrified by her sin she left her uncle and lived the life of a sinner in a brothel where she believed she belonged. After 2 years her uncle found her and made an appointment with Mary the prostitute who didn’t recognize him until he began to weep. He reminded her, “There is nothing new in falling down in the contest; the wicked thing is to keep on lying there.” Moved by his love, she repented and returned home with him where she spent the remainder of her life in prayer and penance.
