The first record on Makar's life (a charter of 1156 by Archbishop Martyrius of Esztergom) refers to him as provost of the collegiate chapter at Dömös.
He was appointed bishop of Pécs in the reign of King Géza II of Hungary.
Stephen IV's claim to the throne was promoted by the Byzantine Empire, which may account for Makar's choice, his diocese being situated on the southern borders of Hungary.
The first reference to "guest settlers" in Pécs is connected to his period, because King Béla III of Hungary confirmed a sale of a piece of land by the widow of the leader of the "guest settlers" in Pécs.
The architecture of the altar dedicated to the Holy Cross in the cathedral has clear analogies in the contemporary architecture in Milan, Parma and Padova, while suggests the presence of stonemasons from Lombardy.