Mary of Egypt was a 5th century Christian hermit, but most of what is known about her is based on a 7th-century text by Sophronius of Jerusalem. According to this account, Mary was an Alexandrian prostitute who traveled to Jerusalem at the age of 29 with the aim of seducing pilgrims.

After attempting to visit the Holy Sepulchre, Mary found herself physically unable to cross the threshold of the church, even as others entered unobstructed. This…