For the first time in the translation into modern European language published completely the most extensive of the collections that have come under the name of prep. Macarius of Egypt (so-called "first type"). Prior to that, the Russian reader was only aware of scattered and hard-to-reach publications of individual words of this manuscript tradition. The creation of ................................ Macarius of Egypt, full of deep mystical experience and the subtlest knowledge of the laws of spiritual struggle, which a person conducts in his earthly life, is inextricably linked with the Orthodox ascetic tradition. A careful study of these creations will bring - especially to the modern Christian - tangible help in spiritual struggle.