Mary of Egypt

Japanese: マリア[エジプトの]（英語表記）Mary of Egypt

A legendary penitent and saint from Egypt in the 5th century. She lived as a prostitute in Alexandria for 17 years, but then made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and changed her ways. She then crossed the Jordan River and lived a hermit life in the wilderness of Palestine for about 50 years, living on only three loaves of bread. In artworks, she is depicted as a woman covered with hair and holding perfumed oil or three loaves of bread in her hands (part of Memling's Lamentation Altarpiece). Other scenes based on the legend include her receiving communion from the priest Zosimus, her tomb being dug by lions, and her being taken up to heaven by angels after her death (Lorenzo di Credi).

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

5世紀，エジプト出身の伝説上の悔悟女で聖女。アレクサンドリアで17年間遊女として暮らしていたが，エルサレム巡礼に旅立ち改心。その後ヨルダン川を渡り，パレスティナの荒野で約50年間3個のパンのみで隠修生活を送ったという。美術作品では，毛髪で全身をおおい手に香油または3個のパンを持った女性として表される(メムリンク〈キリストの哀悼の祭壇画〉部分)。また伝説から，司祭ゾシモスより聖体を拝領する場面，ライオンが付き添い彼女の墓穴を掘る場面，死後天使により天上へ引き上げられてゆく場面(ロレンツォ･ディ･クレディ)などが表される。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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