Pope Macarius II was pious and ascetic since his young age, and longed for the monastic life.

Finally they unanimously agreed to choose this father for what was known of his good character and excellent attributes.

They took him and bound him against his will, and he cried out and begged them with excuses to release him saying, "I am not fit to be raised to the dignity of the Papacy."

[1] The deed of his appointment was read in The Church of the Holy Virgin in the Greek], Coptic, and Arabic languages.

During his papacy he never asked for any of the Church's money, but rather, he used to give a large portion of the contributions which he received to be spent on different righteous deeds.