St. Malke / Mor Malkhe – Oct 1

St Malke was born in Qulezmo (Klyzma), in Egypt, in the year 222 A.D, to a wealthy couple Yuhanon (Johannes) and Rafka (Rebekka), sister of St. Augin. The couple had been childless for a long time. They were full of joy when God gave them a daughter. They called her Shufny. They had no Son, to whom they could have inherited their property. They gave to the poor and needy much of their wealth and continued to pray to God for a son. The Lord answered their prayers three years later when God gave them a son in the year 222. Shufny had a difficulty in speaking clearly. When asked what name is to be given to his brother, She said ‘Malke’. Thus, he was named Malke (king), miraculously by his sister.

At the age of five years, his father took him to a teacher called Shmuel (Samuel) to learn the precepts of the faith. Malke was a good student, as well as very religious. His teacher, the priest Schmuyel, valued Malke more than his fellow students, because he surpassed them in wisdom. He acquired wisdom, knowledge, godliness, and great humility. He recognized the power of God from the holy scriptures, he decided to fast until evening, and began to despise the fleeting world. He became very learned, and at the age of 11, he desired to live the monastic life and become a monk.

Malke was thinking of the monastic life, but his parents were planning get him married. He answered simply: “If it is the will of the Lord, it will happen; if not, then just not!” His father prayed for his marriage and looked for a daughter from respected family. In obedience he followed their will. They chose a wife for him, but he secretly told his friend and classmate Elishoh (Elischa) that he did not want to marry. They promised each other to enter monastic life. Malke, planned to meet his uncle, Mar Augin, the famous and great holy saint from Egypt, the chief of the crowd of 72 monk disciples. But it was reported to him that had been expelled from Egypt. Malke became sad and went with his friend.

Malke went to his parents and begged them to give him some of his wealth, so he could travel to his future parents-in-law. They gave him a lot of money, pearls, gems, and several precious garments. At the farewell, Malke wept because he knew he would not return. The parents, however, thought they had given him too little possession, so they wept too. In the year AD 245,  Malke left his parental home. He found on his way three debtors, to whom he gave the expensive garments, the precious stones, and the money. Further, on his way he also met his friend Elischa, as they had arranged, and both headed eastwards. Further on their way, they encountered three blind men who were in need. Then the saint took off his clothes and exchanged them with the rags of one of the blind and put them on. After several days, his father sent out several boats to have his son from his parents-in-law. After futile search and questions, they returned without the son. A great and heavy grief broke out in the family. They could not understand why their son left them. Then met Schmuyel, the religious teacher, who comforted them. Schmuyel prophesied that God would give them a son after one year, to take care of their inheritance.

He with his friend (Elishoh), travelled to Mt. Izlo to join the monastery of St Augin (his uncle). He built a monastery near the village of Arkah in Mount Izlo which is still in operation today. Malke and Elischa found Saint Augin, his disciples and he was dressed as a monk. Malke becomes a disciple of St. Augin. They stayed with him for four years. Then, with his permission, they were allowed to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and visit the holy sites there and in Egypt into the Scythian desert. So, after four years they went to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage.

After three years, they returned to Mar Augin in the Izlo Mountains (today south-eastern Turkey) and stayed there for a long time. Augin took the two young monks and brought them to St. Bishop Yakob (Jacob) of Nisibis, who ordained them priests. From then on, the two young priests parted ways and each one went to the place that God had appointed for him. St. Malke went out of the monastery to seek a place to live in solitude. Mar Malke settled in Arkah (today’s Harabaleh, a village in south-eastern Turkey) and went from Sunday to Sunday to the Holy Church to receive Holy Communion.

It so happened that one day a group of children weeping sadly, near a flock of animals, they were tending. One child, Shlemun (Solomon), climbed a fig tree, to pick figs. He saw something dark and ugly, below the tree. The children became frightened, called for help. There was a terrible odour, that filled the air and the boy fell into the pit. St. Malke told the children they would soon witness the power of God. He lifted his hands in prayer and the chief of the devils appeared with the boy. It was Astrasis. He mocked the Holy One saying, “We wanted to make the boy the head of our family. Now you have taken him away from us.” The devil turned and fled from the power, that God gave to St. Malke. The boy was not harmed and returned safely to his home. The boy Shlemon, saved by the saint and later became his disciple.

St. Malke built a monastery in the very place God had overpowered the devil. A voice from heaven said, “Malke, My Servant, put down the sign of Cross there, and it will protect you from evil”. He built a monastery in that place. St Malke carved a sign of Cross on a stone and built an altar there. The villagers of Arkah, came in great numbers to assist Malke to build the monastery. Many monks came and lived in it. St. Malke was full of love and mercy for all human beings. For the remainder of his life, he fought against evil.

St. Malke performed many miracles throughout his life, driving away devils. Another miracle attributed to him is the curing of Emperor Constantine with his intercessory prayers. He drove the evil spirit from the Asanasis the daughter of King Constantine. The devil went and took possession of her. The king was grieved and called for Malke, as she said only Malke can heal her. The girl was brought to Malke’s presence, in the Kings court. Malke lifted his hands in prayer, asked God to intervene and the devil left her in a black smoke. Malke healed many people in the Kings court. The Emperor king requested Malke to stay there, offering a big portion of his kingdom, money and gifts, which the saint humbly refused. But Malke returned to his monastery. Before the start of the return journey, In the end, the emperor gave him financial aid for his monastery and blankets and robes for liturgical use.

One day, the disciples of Mar Malke, brought to him, the father, whose child had delivered from evil spirit, Solomon, as a helper and disciple. The saint took him in and saw that he was very humble and pious. This boy became the first disciple of the Malke. After seven years of thorough examination, he was dressed as a monk. In the ensuing time, Malke took on more monk candidates.

Mar Malke made a second pilgrimage to Jerusalem and stayed there for two years. On the way back, he performed many healing miracles. Arriving at his monastery again, he found his monks in divine love and pure service. A certain wealthy man, Autel from Assur, whose right side had paralyzed a stroke, had been bedridden for 18 years. He came to the monastery for Mar Malke and was healed after a long prayer. He returned safely to his parents’ house. He gave his inheritance of forty laden camels and many useful animals for work. The holy saint lived very restrainedly. He wore an iron belt and spent his life with long prayers and fasting times, in perfect love, without lust and deceit, without wrath and pride. He was kind, calm, humble and friendly to everyone.

When his time to depart from this world approached, he called his disciples and admonished them to love fasting and prayer and to preserve purity and chastity. He further encouraged them to associate with each other and with others in love and peace. He gave his final benediction and said “My beloved, always be merciful, dedicate yourselves to fasting and prayer. Let truth, love, and peace be your merits for all of your lives. Fight against evil with good!”. He passed away at the age of 93, in AD 315 on April 14 and was his final resting place was in Beth Kadishe, Tur’budin Monastery of Mar Malke, his own monastery, near the village of Dibek, where he continues to work miracles, especially relieving demon possessed.

We have Churches in the name Mar Malkhe, Mar Malkhe Orthodox Syrian Church, Kodanad and Malke Orthodox Syrian Church, Kavumbhagom. Many in the Syrian Church were named Malke, since then. St Malke is commemorated on April 21, and also on October 1, along with St Addai and St Abhai, the Martyr. May we derive steadfastness in faith, humility and devotion to God from the saintly and inspirational life of Mar Malke.