# Macarius of Tkow

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/macarius-of-tkow — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02)

Macarius of Tkow is commemorated as a bishop and martyr associated with opposition to Chalcedon; his principal life is a hagiographical panegyric attributed to Dioscorus of Alexandria.[^1]

## Identity and commemoration

Macarius of Tkow is commemorated as a saint, bishop, and martyr whose feast falls on 27 Babah; his death is dated to 451/452, and he was noted for poverty, sanctity, and healing powers.[^1]

## Sources for his life

The chief source is the *Panegyric on Macarius, Bishop of Tkow*, attributed to Dioscorus of Alexandria but identified in the dedicated article as the work of Pseudo-Dioscorus.[^1] That article dates its composition no earlier than the second quarter of the sixth century and suggests that it expanded episodes from the *Life of Dioscorus* by Pseudo-Theopistus with additional traditional stories.[^2] Internal evidence points to composition in Greek in or near Alexandria; Sahidic and Bohairic translations survive, together with Arabic manuscript versions.[^2]

The narrative cannot generally be corroborated outside Egyptian Orthodox tradition and is a hagiographical romance shaped by anti-Chalcedonian controversy, intended to encourage imitation of the saint’s virtues.[^3]

## The narrative of the Panegyric

The *Panegyric* gives no account of Macarius’s early life or elevation to the episcopate.[^4] It portrays him as a poor, self-effacing bishop who speaks only Coptic and requires an interpreter to converse with Dioscorus.[^4]

According to the narrative, Macarius accompanies Dioscorus to Constantinople, heals a blind man during the voyage, and vindicates a falsely accused Egyptian sailor.[^5] His companion Pinoution recounts further miracles and a vision in which Shenute recognizes Macarius as a future defender of orthodoxy.[^5]

In Constantinople, Macarius initially encounters exclusion from the imperial presence because of his shabby clothing; after being admitted, he cannot participate in the doctrinal discussion because no interpreter is available.[^6] Dioscorus subsequently sends him back to Egypt after learning of a plot against his life, so the narrative appears to place him at a preliminary meeting rather than at the Council of Chalcedon itself.[^6]

Following the council, Macarius refuses to subscribe to its decrees and the Tome of Leo because he considers them inconsistent with the Council of Nicaea.[^7] The *Panegyric* relates that an imperial courier kicks him to death, and that he is buried beside John the Baptist and the prophet Elisha amid accounts of miraculous healings.[^8]

## Veneration and literary legacy

Relics venerated at Dayr Anba Maqar as those of “Saint Macarius the bishop” are probably intended to be those of Macarius of Tkow, although the identification remains uncertain; the presence of relics of the three Macarii there is first attested in a list compiled by Mawhub ibn Mansur near the end of the eleventh century.[^9]

Various Coptic liturgical texts commemorate an otherwise unspecified Saint Macarius the bishop, probably—but not demonstrably—Macarius of Tkow.[^10] The *Exegesis on the Feast Day of Michael the Archangel*, preserved in Pierpont Morgan Library Codex 592, is attributed to him.[^10]

## Differences among the supplied sources

The dedicated biography places Macarius’s death in 451/452 in connection with opposition to Chalcedon, whereas a separate discussion of miracles associates his martyrdom with Decius; these accounts disagree about its historical setting.[^1][^11] The dedicated biography identifies Tkow with Antaiopolis or Qaw al-Kabir in Upper Egypt, while the calendar passage labels his see “Tkow (Idku).”[^4][^12]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 346)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 346)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 348)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 346)
[^5]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 347)
[^6]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 347)
[^7]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 347)
[^8]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 348)
[^9]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 348)
[^10]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 349)
[^11]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 4, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 521)
[^12]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 359)