Wade in the River

Fr. Paisius Altschul

A Story of Great Courage of a Woman in Slavery Passion Bearer Margaret Ward and Her Infant Son, Samuel Ringgold Ward. (1855)

On American soil, nothing comes close to the early Christians' noble suffering and pain of heart endured in the pursuit of God, except the African-American martyrs and passion bearers. Despite the masters' attempts to either suppress their slaves' lively faith, or to twist Christianity to their own economic advantage, the African-American slaves were able to penetrate the veneer and discern the essence of the Christian Faith. One such heroic soul was Margaret Ward of Maryland.

Born on a slave ship en route to Baltimore from Africa in the early 1800's, she and her mother were bought by a religious family. Margaret was a woman of remarkable character: Of a proud, indomitable spirit, yet having acute moral sense, a disposition naturally amiable, of cheerful temperament, and crushed with a sense of her degraded condition. She was quiet, noble, and was very capable.

The complete story can be found on St. Mary of Egypt website which works to bring the Orthodox faith to African-Americans.