Description
The most famous act of St. Macarius is considered to be the incident that occurred after he instinctively killed a mosquito that had bitten him. He was so full of regret for killing a living being that he decided to atone for his guilt and went to a swamp that was infested with flies and mosquitoes.
He lived there naked for six months, allowing insects to constantly bite him. By the time he returned, his entire body was covered with a mass of bites and sores, and Macarius was recognized only by his voice.