ON ST. PORPHYRIUS, BISHOP OF GAZA IN PALESTINE
Year 421.
Preliminary Commentary.
Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza in Palestine (St.)
Author G. H.
[1] Gaza, a city of Palestine once celebrated, was assigned in the distribution of the children of Israel to the tribe of Judah, as is read in Joshua 15:47, with its villages and hamlets; then captured by Judah with its borders, but not long retained—it was soon recovered by the Philistines, whose southernmost satrapy it remained, nearest to Egypt. Samson carried its gates to a mountain, but was finally captured and blinded there, and by violently shaking the pillars, brought many thousands of Philistines to their death by the ruin of the temple, as is related in the Book of Judges. That it was captured by Alexander the Great is reported in the Acts of St. Porphyrius, number 18, and confirmed by Curtius, Arrian, and Josephus, cited in the same passage, who say it was also destroyed. St. Jerome, concerning Hebrew places, asserts that the site of this city scarcely shows traces of its foundations, but that the one now visible was built in another place in lieu of the one that fell. In both the old and the new city, the madness of profane idol worship flourished; and the Christian churches that had been erected there under Constantine the Great were burned and destroyed under Julian the Apostate, at which time Saints Eusebius, Nestabus, Zeno, and Nestor underwent noble martyrdom there, inscribed in the Ecclesiastical Tables on the 8th of September. At the same time, as Theodoret narrates, book 3, chapter 6, the Gazaeans cut open the bellies of men adorned with the dignity of the priesthood and of women who had professed perpetual virginity, filled them with barley, and threw them to the pigs to be devoured. St. Ambrose, in his 28th letter to the great Theodosius, mentions these Gazaeans: Basilicas, he says, have been burned at Gaza, Ascalon, Berytus, and in nearly all those places; and no one sought vengeance.
[2] Arcadius, son of Theodosius, succeeded him, at which time St. Porphyrius was ordained Bishop for the Gazaeans; at that time there were in the city of Gaza, as the Acts, number 64, attest, eight public temples of idols: namely, of the Sun, Venus, Apollo, Proserpina, Hecate, and what they called the Hierion, or temple of the priests, and of the Fortune of the city, which they called the Tycheon, and the Marnion, which they said was dedicated to Jupiter of Cretan origin, which they considered more glorious than all the temples that exist anywhere. All of which temples were overthrown by St. Porphyrius, and the Marnion was burned. The Menaea express the name of this one alone in these words: "Having burned the temple of Marnas with fire, he erected a church," etc. Stephen of Byzantium, speaking of Gaza, also mentions Marnas alone: "Hence also the Jupiter of Cretan origin is among them, whom those living among us called Marnas, interpreted as Cretagenes. For the Cretans call virgins..." Thus at Gaza, among them, Jupiter of Cretan origin is held in honor, whom the Gazaeans themselves, living among us, call Marnas and interpret as Cretagenes, or Cretan-born, a name they attribute to Virgins of Crete. Hence in the Acts, the Marnion should be read not "of Cretan origin, of Jupiter" but "of Cretagenes, or Cretan-born, Jupiter." The same, therefore, is the one Jupiter Cretensis, Jupiter Cretagenes, and Marnas. In the treasury of ancient coins collected by Jacques Sirmond of our Society, there is one of the Emperor Titus, on the reverse of which these words are read: ZEUS CRETAGENES—Jupiter Cretagenes. He is depicted among the seven Pleiades, sculpted with a thunderbolt. Thus the Gazaeans below, at number 19, say that Marnas is the lord of rains; and Marnas they say is Jupiter, whom the Greeks call Hyetios, the Rainy One, and worship. And Euripides in the Orestes makes Jupiter the lord of the Pleiades in these words: "And the seven-pathed courses of the Pleiades into another road Jupiter changes." Johannes Tristanus, volume 2 of the Emperors and other Princes of the Roman Empire, presents the aforementioned coin of Titus and learnedly explains it in commentary 15, number 6, and considers it to have been struck at Gaza. Why not rather in Crete itself? But let these remarks about Marnas, or the Rainy Jupiter expelled from Gaza by St. Porphyrius, suffice.
[3] In what years St. Porphyrius lived, presided over the Gazaeans as Bishop, and finally died departing to the reward of his labors, we calculate approximately as follows. He was born at Thessalonica around the year of Christ 353, which year, as well as those immediately following, is deduced from subsequent events. Then, having completed his studies of human and divine wisdom, at about twenty-five years of age, in the year of Christ 378, he received the anchoretic habit in the Egyptian Scetis, which then flourished with wise and holy men. Departing thence after five years, he lived for another five years near the Jordan River in the same habit. Therefore, at about the thirty-fifth year of his age completed, the year of Christ 388, he set out for Jerusalem, and having received Marcus his disciple as a companion for life, the writer of his Life, he lived there for some time, as the latter narrates in chapter 1. Afterwards, at about forty years of age, as is said at number 10, he was ordained Priest around the year of Christ 393, and the custody of the venerable wood of the Cross was entrusted to him for three years. St. Jerome was then writing his book On Ecclesiastical Writers in the fourteenth year of Theodosius, which he indicates in chapter 135, the last. That was the year of Christ 394. At which time he testifies in chapter 131 that Gelasius, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, was still living; who is reported, he says, to be writing certain things, but concealing them. John succeeded him, but in what year is unknown. He consecrated St. Porphyrius as Bishop after the death of Theodosius, in the time of the Emperor Arcadius, as Baronius notes at the year 398, number 97, but some time before that year—which we assign as the year of Christ 396, and which we have shown elsewhere to be numbered as the first year of the Empire of Arcadius. When, after being made Bishop, he had in one year converted 232 Gazaean idolaters to the faith of Christ and could not draw the rest to the same faith, he ordained Marcus as Deacon and sent him to Constantinople in the year 398; there he dealt with St. John Chrysostom, then Archbishop of Constantinople, consecrated on the same year on the 26th of February; he also dealt with the Eunuch Eutropius, then still Chamberlain of the Emperor, who was created Consul the following year and perished by the executioner's axe. These things, reported at number 26, clearly confirm our chronology. Since the insolence of the pagans could still not be suppressed, St. Porphyrius, taking John, Archbishop of Caesarea, as his traveling companion, sailed to Constantinople in the month of February, in the year 401, and was there when Theodosius the Younger was born in March—not April, as we have there accurately shown against Socrates, Marcellinus, and the Alexandrian Chronicle. Returning home, he demolished the temples of the idols; in the following year he received the columns donated by the Empress Eudoxia and erected a new church, magnificently dedicated after the elapse of five more years.
[4] Among other activities, it seems he was present in the year 415 at the Synod of Diospolis, at which Pelagius, after his heresies were at least ostensibly abjured and a profession of faith was made, was absolved and deemed worthy of Catholic communion; it later became known that he had acted deceitfully. Hence St. Jerome, writing in his 79th letter to Alypius and St. Augustine, testifies the following about Pelagius: Whatever he denies having said at that wretched Synod of Diospolis, he confesses in this work. And St. Augustine, book 1 Against Julian, chapter 5, enumerates the bishops present there: We have, he says, fourteen other Eastern Bishops: Eulogius, John, Ammonianus, Porphyrius, Euthonius, Porphyrius, Fidus, Zosimus, Zebaenus, Nymphidius, Chromatius, Jovinus, Eleutherius, Clematius—whom we could bring together, found simultaneously in one place, into this assembly, those very men who presided as judges over Pelagius; and as men, with no adversary pressing from the other side, thinking him Catholic, they pronounced him Catholic. These are also recorded in the Notes to this synod in volume 4 of the Councils, Royal edition, page 355; and Eulogius, who is listed first in order, is said to be the Metropolitan Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine and the successor of John, of whom we have spoken. The others were Bishops of the same Palestine, in which 40 episcopal sees are counted. Of these, in the same Notes, are named John of Jerusalem, Eleutherius of Sebaste, Euthonius of Jericho, Zebaenus of Eleutheropolis, Jovinus of Ascalon, and another Porphyrius of Gaza; to be added is also Fidus of Joppa, known from the Council of Ephesus.
[5] St. Porphyrius died at last in the twenty-fourth year, eleventh month of his episcopate. So the Acts report at the end, to which the Menaea add eight days. According to the calculation hitherto made, that year was the four hundred and twenty-first, which the Gazaeans in their own era call the four hundred and eightieth—an epoch that we have not yet found recorded elsewhere. He fell asleep in peace with the Saints on the second day of the month Dystrus; and since according to the computation of others this corresponds to the Roman March, his memory is inscribed on the 2nd of March in the Greek Menologion published by Canisius, and in the same or another work cited by Baronius in the Notes to the Roman Martyrology, in these words: St. Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza, from the city of Thessalonica, under the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Having led a heavenly life on earth, he migrated to the Lord. Indeed, if the time of death is indicated, he died under the rule of Honorius and Theodosius the Younger, for the latter succeeded his father Arcadius, who died in the year 408. Nor did St. Porphyrius die in the month of March, but in February. For, as is said at number 21, the months of the Gazaeans precede the Roman months by five days. And on the eleventh day of Lydenaeus, or as others say, Audynaeus, they celebrate the day of the Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, which falls on the sixth of January corresponding to this month. In the same way, at number 54, the twenty-third of the Gazaean month Xanthicus is said to be the eighteenth of April among the Romans. The Egyptians also use this same manner of beginning each month; they call the month Bermahath, or Bermuhath, which the Gazaeans call Dystrus, and its beginning is reckoned from the 25th of February in the Roman calendar.
[6] Hence the solemn veneration of St. Porphyrius is noted by the Greeks on the 26th of February in the great Menaea, in the Lives of the Saints published by Maximus Cytherea, in the new Anthologion, in the Horologion, and finally in the Menologion or Calendar published by Genebrardus, in which these words are read: Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza, and Symsi. What that word "Symsi" means is not explained elsewhere. Other Greeks call him Bishop. The Latins, imitating the Greeks, record him on the same 26th of February. Molanus in the supplement to Usuard: Of the most holy Father Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza. Galesinius: At Gaza in Palestine, St. Porphyrius, Bishop, who, having happily governed the Church of Gaza with the practice of great Christian virtues for about twenty-five years, and having splendidly concluded the struggle he had undertaken from the beginning against the worshippers of idols, having lived a most holy life and accomplished many things devoutly and wonderfully, rested in the Lord. Finally, the Roman Martyrology celebrates him with this encomium: At Gaza in Palestine, St. Porphyrius, Bishop, who in the time of the Emperor Arcadius overthrew the idol Marnas and its temple, and having suffered many things, rested in the Lord. Lezana also mentions him in the Annals of the Carmelites at the year 398, number 6.
[7] The Life of St. Porphyrius was written in the years immediately after his death by Marcus his disciple, ordained Deacon by him, and a familiar companion of all his labors and journeys for the last thirty or so years. He is a diligent historian, a lover of truth and well acquainted with the events of those times—a man, I say, extremely learned, also pious and holy, as is evident from the entire carefully drawn narrative of this Life. Gentianus Hervetus translated the Life into Latin; Aloysius Lipomanus and Laurentius Surius published it on this 26th of February. We also give it, illustrated in our customary manner. We prefix to the Life an epitome from the Greek Menaea, which is also read in Cytherea, and in a somewhat more condensed form in the new Anthologion.
EPITOME OF THE LIFE
from the Greek Menaea.
Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza in Palestine (St.)
Commemoration of our Holy Father Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza. He was born at Thessalonica, the son of parents no less distinguished for their piety than for their wealth. Having left these along with his homeland, he made for Egypt, and entering the solitude of Scetis, he embraced the anchoretic life. After five years he came to Jerusalem and enlightened many with pious discourses. Wherefore he was ordained Priest by Praylius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and by John, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and other Bishops, he was himself consecrated Bishop of Gaza. There he performed many miraculous powers, and confirmed the Christians in the faith, and converted very many Gentiles to the knowledge of God. When he saw that the faithful were being subjected to great injuries by the governors of that region, he set out for Constantinople, visited St. John Chrysostom, and explained to him what he was suffering. Chrysostom, having thoroughly understood the matter, commended it to the Chamberlain Amantius, who brought it to the attention of the Empress Eudoxia. She received him most kindly and informed the Emperor Arcadius of his arrival and of the oracle by which he had predicted that a male heir would be born to them. The Emperor, greatly refreshed by this news, paid due thanks to God.
Afterward the Empress bore Theodosius the Younger, and wished the child to be blessed by the Saint, whom she had summoned to herself, and she promised to do everything according to the Saint's wishes. The Emperor, however, after reading the letters and reviewing the tax revenues, was grieved, asserting that it could not be done to persecute the idolaters on account of the many tributes they paid. To which the Empress replied: What the Bishop has asked is indeed weighty, my Lord, but it is weightier to refuse. And so at last the Emperor assented to the petition, and sending letters to Gaza, he commanded the impious to be expelled from the city. Blessed Porphyrius received from the Empress two centenaria of gold for the building of a church, and two hundred coins for expenses. And returning to his Church, he utterly destroyed all the temples of idols and expelled the heretics. And having burned the temple of Marnas with fire, he constructed a new church as the Empress Eudoxia had prescribed. Having therefore lived in his Church, renowned for holiness and famous for many miracles performed, for twenty-four years, eleven months, and eight days, he migrated to the Lord.
LIFE
by Marcus the Deacon, his disciple, translated by Gentianus Hervetus.
Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza in Palestine (St.)
By Marcus the Deacon, his disciple.
PROLOGUE.
[1] It is a beautiful thing to contemplate with one's eyes the struggles of holy men and their divine zeal and longing; for when they are beheld, they become worthy of being loved. Moreover, the narratives about them, when told by those who know them accurately, bring no small benefit as they enter the minds of the hearers. Sight is indeed more trustworthy than hearing; but hearing also persuades, if the things reported are told by trustworthy persons. And if such a narrative of useful matters were of such a kind that neither negligence nor malice could introduce falsehood into it instead of truth, it would be superfluous to write these things down, since the truth would suffice for edification, always being conveyed by succession to the ears of posterity. But since time corrupts and destroys, whether through forgetfulness or through malice and negligence, I have necessarily approached the present writing, lest with the passage of time this holy man be consigned to oblivion—holy, I say, Porphyrius. For the remembrance of the deeds performed rightly and virtuously by him may serve as a healing remedy for those who hear them.
[2] It is indeed absurd that tragic poets and others of the kind spend their eloquence on ridiculous and old wives' tales, while we despise holy men who are worthy of being committed to memory and hand them over to oblivion. What penalties, then, shall I not suffer if I do not commit to writing the life of this pious man—a life, I say, that is a teacher of philosophy—of him who emulated the life that is in heaven, and who waged wars and fought, not only against the leaders and defenders of the mad worship of images, but even against the entire people, full of every madness? For he remembered those words spoken by the blessed Apostle: Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the terrible day, and having accomplished all things, to stand. Ephesians 6:11 Clothed in this armor, the said Apostle descended into the contest. But although he had such and so great adversaries, Porphyrius, who had a struggle similar to the Apostle's, nevertheless achieved an equal victory, and in the midst of Gaza he set up a trophy—namely, the holy Church of Christ, which had been founded by him. What gave him the victory was not human nature, but a mind that drew down divine grace. For since he was a most ardent lover of Christ, he endured suffering and doing all things. How many assaults of war did he receive from his adversaries! How many conspiracies and mockeries did he sustain!
[3] But since it is not possible to say everything about so distinguished a man—things that are both many and seem incredible to many—I shall set forth the few things that I remember, since I lived with him for a long time and received a lasting fruit from that blessed and wondrous soul, which now dwells with the Angels. Who, then, would not justly praise this man who obtained every kind of virtue? And we know that no speech can match this man's virtue; yet I must undertake the task, trusting in his holy prayers. I shall write his praise not in magnificent and splendid language; for it is not eloquence of words that customarily adorns the life of such men, but the virtue of their deeds that makes even the expression itself magnificent. I therefore, trusting in the holy prayers of the said Saint, approach this writing, through them asking grace and help from the Lord Jesus Christ, that I may in some manner narrate the virtue of the holy man. I ask those who will read these writings not to distrust what is said. For I myself was a spectator of the man's virtue, having lived with him, sailed with him, and been afflicted with him up to the last day of his departure from this life. And from this let the beginning of my narrative be taken.
CHAPTER I
St. Porphyrius's anchoretic life, and his private experiences in illness and pilgrimage.
[4] Gaza is a city of Palestine on the border of Egypt; it is not obscure, but a populous and distinguished city. At that time the madness of idol worship flourished among its people. The one whom we praise, Porphyrius, received the priesthood of this city; his true homeland was the heavenly Jerusalem (for he was enrolled in it), but his earthly one was Thessalonica. His family was distinguished. A divine love came upon him to leave his homeland and the splendor of his family and his infinite wealth, and to embrace the monastic life. Having sailed from Thessalonica, he came to Egypt. He went directly to Scetis, and a few days later was deemed worthy of the venerable habit. And having spent five years there with the holy Fathers, another divine love came upon him to worship the holy and venerable places of God. Having been there and worshipped, he departed to the region of the Jordan and dwelt in a cave. Having spent five years there with much affliction, from the great dryness and harshness of those places, he fell into a serious illness. Seeing himself brought to extreme danger, by God's providence he summoned one of his acquaintances to take him to Jerusalem. The illness was a hardening of the liver with a continuous, very slight fever. As this disease grew worse, constantly pricking his intestines and his body wasting away, he himself did not cease to visit the holy places daily, bent over and unable to walk upright, but leaning on a staff.
[5] It happened at that time that I was sailing from Asia to worship the venerable places. When I arrived there, I spent a long time, supporting myself by working with my hands; for I was skilled in the art of fine writing. Observing the Saint continually going to the Resurrection of Christ and to the other oratories, I marveled that in such bodily weakness he did not hesitate to torment himself in this way. One day, when I met him on the steps of the Martyrion—which had been built by the Emperor Constantine—as he was unable to proceed, I ran up and, extending my hand to him, asked him to lean upon it and ascend the steps. But he refused, saying: It is not right that I, who am going to seek pardon for my sins, should lean upon the hand of another. But let God see my labor, brother, so that in his ineffable mercy he may also have pity on me. And so he went and heard the divine words, lending his ears to the teachers and always partaking of the mystical table; then he returned to his dwelling. And what kind of life he led was evident. For he so despised his illness that you would have thought the illness was in another's body; for the hope of God lightened his burden.
[6] But this alone troubled and tormented him: that his possessions remained, and had not been sold and distributed to the poor in accordance with what the Gospel says. Matthew 19:21 The reason for this impediment was that his brothers were children when he left his homeland. Bearing this with difficulty, he asked me—who was already familiar with him (for I was ministering to him on account of his infirmity)—to sail to Thessalonica and divide the estate with his brothers. Having given me a written mandate and commended me to the Lord, he sent me off, providing me with minimal expenses; for he had no means. I then came straightaway to Ascalon and, having found a ship, sailed from there; and with a voyage of thirteen days being favorable, we came to Thessalonica. Having shown the written mandate, I divided the goods with his brothers. I sold the estates that had fallen to me for three thousand gold coins. I also brought with me the clothing and silver, and another fourteen hundred gold coins; and having collected everything, after three months I sailed back. When, after a voyage of twelve days, I arrived at the port of Ascalon and hired pack animals there and loaded them, I ascended to the holy city. When the most blessed man saw me, he embraced me with joy and tears (for joy can also produce tears), but I did not recognize him; for his body was quite healthy and his face ruddy. But I kept turning my eyes, gazing at him repeatedly.
[7] He, noticing this and smiling, said gently: Do not be amazed, brother Marcus, seeing me healthy and strong; but learn the cause of my health, and then you will wonder at the ineffable kindness of Christ and how things utterly despaired of among men can easily be corrected by him. I asked him to tell me the cause of his health and how he had overcome such a disease. He answered me: Forty days ago, when I was at the vigil of holy Sunday, a pain seized me. Unable to bear it, I went and lay down near the holy Calvary. And being, as it were, in an ecstasy from the great pain, I see the Savior fastened with nails to the cross, and one of the thieves hanging with him on another cross, and I begin to cry out and say the words of the thief: Remember me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42 And the Savior, answering, said to the thief who was hanging: Descend from the cross and save the one who lies there, just as you too were saved. And the thief, descending from the cross, embraced me and kissed me, and extending his right hand, made me rise, saying: Come to the Savior. And immediately I rose and ran to him, and I see him having descended from the cross and saying to me: Take this wood, and keep it. And when I had received and carried this precious wood, I immediately returned from the ecstasy to myself; and from that hour no pain has troubled me further, nor has any trace of the illness appeared.
[8] When I heard these things, I was greatly amazed and glorified God; and thenceforth I was more strongly attached to the man and served him more diligently. For indeed, having counted out the money to the servant of God and returned to him everything I had brought, I remained with him, serving him and enjoying his spiritual prayers. He was truly beyond reproach: most gentle, merciful, having also the faculty of discerning the divine Scripture and resolving whatever difficulties occurred in it, as well as any man. Nor was he ignorant of secular learning, answering and silencing unbelieving men and those who do not hold the right faith. He was a lover of the poor, merciful, ready with tears; he honored the elderly as fathers, the younger as brothers, children as sons. Gentle and humble in character and speech, not in a pretense of truth—for there was no guile in him—he was most temperate, so that he attained perfect impassibility. He was free from anger, not mindful of injuries received, not allowing the sun to set upon his wrath, having all passions of the soul mortified, except the anger he directed against the enemies of the faith.
[9] When he had received from me the money and other things I had brought, and had sold the clothing and melted down a large sum of money, he gave all the remaining precious goods to the needy in a short time—not only in the holy city but also in other cities, villages, and monasteries, especially those in Egypt; for the monasteries there were very poor. Indeed, he was a second Abraham to the strangers who were there. Wherefore in a very short time he distributed all his possessions, to the point that he himself lacked daily sustenance. He therefore gave himself to the trade of cobbling, washing and sewing hides, and in all things imitating that divine Apostle who was unwilling to eat bread for free; and although he could have earned his livelihood from other manual work, he wished in all things to be an imitator of that distinguished man whom we mentioned—in afflictions, in labors, in persecutions, and in perils of the sea and attacks of the nations. Moreover, I asked him to lead a common life with me, for from my profession I had a surplus of provisions. But he would not agree, saying: 1 Timothy 6:7 We brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out. And again he said: 2 Thessalonians 3:10 If anyone does not work, let him not eat. And I, speaking freely with him, said: Why then, when you were rich, did you not work? And did you not allow me to work? He answered me: What I did before was many times greater than what I now do. For what I now do feeds one or two, but what I did before fed innumerable people. Not only did it feed that multitude, but it also provided spiritual nourishment to my soul.
NotesCHAPTER II
St. Porphyrius's priesthood; the Episcopate of Gaza.
[10] While things stood thus, the Priest of the holy places, Praylius, having heard of the name and life of St. Porphyrius, summoned him and ordained him Priest against his will. He also entrusted to him the custody of the venerable wood of the Cross. Then we recognized that the things he had seen in his ecstasy had befallen him—namely, when he saw the Lord on the cross and the thief with him, and the Lord saying: Take and keep this wood for me. Blessed Porphyrius was about forty years old when he received ordination. Having attained this honor, he did not change his former ways but remained in that affliction of self-discipline. His food was coarse bread and vegetables, and that only after sunset; on other holy days he ate at the sixth hour, taking oil, cheese, and soaked legumes. He also took one cup of diluted wine, and that because his intestines were in poor condition. This manner of life and regimen he kept perpetually throughout his entire life.
[11] Three years after he had been ordained, it happened that the Bishop of the aforesaid city of Gaza departed this life. This was Aeneas, who had held the episcopate for a very short time; before Aeneas was Irenion, who was himself also a citizen of the angelic powers, whose praises cannot be written in a digression—a separate work would be needed to write the life of this renowned Irenion. We leave this to other writers who know his life accurately. When the aforesaid holy man had fallen asleep, those who were then Christians—very few in number—assembled with their Clergy, and consulting openly as to whom they should entrust the episcopate, they accomplished nothing, since a dispute had arisen among them, with the Clergy wanting one man and the laity another—for indeed among the Clergy there were some adorned with an honorable life. Since there was therefore great confusion and nothing was being brought to a conclusion, it finally seemed best that five Clergy and as many distinguished laymen should go to the Metropolitan Bishop and ask of him the Bishop whom the Holy Spirit should reveal to him.
[12] The pontifical office was then held by John, who was himself also a virtuous man adorned with every excellence. When the Gazaeans had approached him, they asked him to give them a Bishop who was powerful in work and word to resist the idolaters. Upon hearing this, he immediately proclaimed a fast; and after three days the Lord revealed to him concerning Blessed Porphyrius. He wrote a letter to the holy Bishop Praylius of Jerusalem, whom we have mentioned before, asking him to send Blessed Porphyrius to him on account of a certain question of Scripture that was to be resolved by him. For Blessed Porphyrius was fit to resolve whatever was difficult in the divine Scripture of the Holy Spirit. The pious Praylius, believing the letters of Blessed John, sent him away, commanding him not to linger there more than seven days.
[13] When Blessed Porphyrius heard the import of what had been written by the most holy John, he was at first troubled, but then said: May the will of God be done. Having summoned me that evening, he said to me: Brother Marcus, let us go and worship at the holy places and the venerable Cross. For much time will pass before we worship there again. I said: Why do you speak thus, Father? He answered and said: Last night I saw the Savior saying to me: Return the deposit which I deposited with you. I wish to unite you with a wife—humble and lowly indeed, but endowed with good character. And you, taking her, adorn her, so that she may forget her former beggary. For although she is lowly and humble, she is nevertheless not a stranger, but my own sister. But take care, lest having a wife and managing a household, you accumulate by injustice or violence or iniquity; for you will both provoke me to anger and cause her distress, for these things also displease her. Only be of a good and ready mind, and all things will be provided for you from where you do not expect. This Christ the Lord revealed to my humility last night, and I fear lest, while I wish to expiate my own sins, I must also expiate the sins of many others. But it is not permitted to resist the will of God.
[14] Having said these things, he set out, and I with him. When we had worshipped at the holy places and the venerable Cross, and he had prayed and wept much, he replaced the venerable and life-giving Cross in a golden case; and having safely locked it, he went out and, going to the Blessed Bishop Praylius, handed him the keys. Having received his prayers and been commended to God by him, he departed. When we had come to our dwelling, we made our preparations; having hired three pack animals and taken provisions for the journey, we went out. Our provisions were everything we had at home. We were five on the road—the Blessed One himself and I, two muleteers, and another young servant named Barochas, whom the Blessed One had found a little before, abandoned in the street and in extreme danger, and had taken him in and cared for him; having spent much on him, with God's help he restored him to health. From that time he remained with him, serving him along with me. Of the pious Barochas I shall speak as the narrative proceeds. On that day, having set out on the journey, we came to Caesarea the following day. Throughout the whole city word had spread of his arrival; for the Blessed One was of great renown, because he loved the poor. We went to the lodging that was there.
[15] When the Blessed Archbishop John heard, he came to us at a run. After they had greeted each other and prayed, they sat down for a while. The Archbishop said to him: Rise, brother, for the Lord's sake, and eat with me, so that we may rise quickly for the vigil of holy Sunday; for we had arrived on a Saturday evening. Blessed Porphyrius asked him to grant him the evening on account of the toil of the journey. He said he would rise after the first sleep for the vigil. Since he could not persuade the Bishop, the Blessed One rose and went with him, taking me also. For we left Brother Barochas at the lodging near the baggage; and having been invited by him, we dined. After we had spoken many spiritual things and slept a little, we rose for the vigil.
[16] That night, Blessed John summoned the Gazaeans and said to them: Be ready to depart, for today you will receive a Priest, a man whom the Lord has shown. In the morning, seizing Blessed Porphyrius, they ordained him Bishop of Gaza. He wept greatly, and there was no end to his tears. For he said that he was unworthy of such a priesthood. At last, however, when the Gazaeans and the Christians found there had consoled him, he was at peace. When we had performed the holy service of the Lord's Day, we were again invited to dine with the Archbishop.
[17] He ordered us to depart as soon as possible; and having spent one more day there, we departed. We slept at Diospolis, and from there, having spent the night, we entered Gaza late in the evening, very weary and afflicted. The cause of our affliction was this: Near Gaza there are villages on the road that are devoted to the worship of images. Their inhabitants had deliberately strewn the entire road with thorns and stakes, so that no one could pass through. They also poured out mud and fumigated with other foul-smelling vapors, so that we would be suffocated by the stench and come into danger of losing our sight. Barely preserved, we entered the city around the night hour. This difficulty and trouble came upon the Blessed One at the suggestion of the devil. But he did not take it hard, for he judged that the devil had prepared these snares because he wished to turn the righteous man from his entrance.
[18] We then went to the Bishop's residence, which the previously named holy Bishop Irenion had built together with the holy church called Irene. They say it has this name for two reasons. The Gazaeans say that when the city was captured by Alexander of Macedon, at a certain signal war ceased there, and from that time the place was called Irene, that is, Peace. When Blessed Irenion found this place being worshipped by the Gazaeans, he built a church upon it. Whether, then, on account of what was said before, or on account of the name of its founder, it has remained so called to this day. From there we went to the small episcopal residence built by him.
NotesCHAPTER III
Rain obtained through the prayers of St. Porphyrius. The wound inflicted on Barochas.
[19] It happened that in that year there was drought and a lack of rain. All the citizens ascribed this to the entrance of Blessed Porphyrius, saying: Marnas has given us an oracle that Porphyrius would be the author of evils for the city. When God continued not to send rain for the first month, which they call Dios, and then also for the second, which is called Epilleos, all were in distress. The idolaters, gathering in the Marneion, offered many sacrifices and many prayers for this reason. For they said that Marnas was the lord of rains—and Marnas, they say, is Jupiter. But when they had persevered for seven days, singing hymns, and going out of the city to a place called "of prayer," they returned disheartened to their work, having accomplished nothing. After these things, the Christians, gathered with men and women and children, numbering two hundred and eighty, asked St. Porphyrius to go out with them and pray that rain might be sent, for there was already famine, and all the more because they ascribed the drought to the Blessed One's arrival.
[20] The Saint, having been persuaded, proclaimed a fast and ordered all to gather that evening in the holy church, so that we might keep vigil there. We made thirty prayers and as many genuflections throughout the entire night, in addition to the choral singing and readings. In the morning, having taken the sign of the venerable Cross, which preceded us, we went out with hymns to the ancient church on the western side of the city, which they say was built by the most holy and blessed Bishop Asclepas, who endured many afflictions for the orthodox faith, whose life and deeds are written in the paradise of delights. When we were in the said church, we poured forth the same number of prayers there as well; and going out from there, we went to the holy martyrion of the glorious Martyr Timothy, in which the relics of the Martyr Meuris and of Thea, who has been enrolled among the Confessors, are also deposited. Having made the same number of prayers and genuflections there, we returned to the city, having said three prayers and three genuflections. When we came near the city, we found it closed; it was the ninth hour. For the idolaters had done this, wishing to scatter the people so that we would not complete the supplications. When we had remained two hours before the gate and no one would open, God, seeing the patience and tears and ineffable weeping of the people—and especially of the holy man—was moved to mercy, as in the time of the great Prophet Elijah; he stirred up the south wind, the sky was covered with clouds, and lightning and thunder began to occur. As soon as the sun had set, heavy rain fell, so that the drops seemed to be not drops but hailstones cast down from heaven. But we, in our great joy, almost did not feel it, for we were embracing one another.
[21] Some of the Gentiles, when they saw the miracles God had done for us, believed, and opened the gate for us, and mingled with us, crying out: Christ alone is God! He alone has conquered! They came together with us into the holy church, and from there the Blessed One dismissed them in peace, marked with the seal of Christ. They were men numbering one hundred and twenty-seven, and 35 women and 14 children, of whom 5 were girls. We then, having offered a perfect thanksgiving, each went home with joy and peace. So great a rain fell that night and the following day that all feared their houses would collapse, of which very many were built of bricks. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent rain continually from the eighth of Lydenaeus to the tenth; and Lydenaeus among them corresponds to January among the Romans. Their months precede the Roman months by five days. On the eleventh day we celebrated the feast of the Theophany of the Lord Jesus Christ, with joy praising and giving thanks to him for all the things his kindness had done for us. In the same year, besides those 127, another 105 were added to the flock of Christ. But the remaining idolaters did not cease to plot against the Blessed One and the rest of the Christians. For whenever a Gentile Governor was assigned to them, they induced him—either corrupted by bribes or persuaded through their impious religion—to harass the Christians; and from that time no small affliction came upon Blessed Porphyrius. Therefore he continually, night and day, asked the kind and merciful God to convert them from their error to his truth.
[22] Since I mentioned Blessed Barochas above, I shall tell the rest about him. He had a divine zeal like no other, for he sustained many severe things from the idolaters. For once, when he had gone to a village on account of an ecclesiastical tax, not far from the city—and the one who owed the tax was an idolater—when the tax was demanded of him and he wished to postpone and delay the matter, and a dispute arose between them, the impious farmer summoned certain men of his village like himself, and they began to beat Blessed Barochas with clubs. Carrying him half-dead, they threw him outside the village into the wilderness; there he lay mute and unconscious. On the following day, by God's kindness, the Deacon Cornelius passed through that place with two other Christians; and having found the pious Barochas and recognized him, they brought him into the city.
[23] When the idolaters saw him being carried, thinking he was dead, they flew into a rage, because they considered it an abomination to carry a dead man into the city. Having violently snatched him from the shoulders of those who were carrying him, they began to beat the pious Deacon Cornelius and the two Christians; and having tied the foot of Blessed Barochas, they dragged him. Meanwhile, some of the brethren reported this to the blessed Bishop. He, troubled, summoned me and three other brothers who were found with him, and said to us: Run with confidence, brothers, for it is the time of martyrdom. After we arrived at the place where they had tied the Blessed One, a crowd gathered; some heaped insults upon the most holy Bishop, while others, seeing his patience—that when insulted he did not grow angry but asked each one, saying, not to heap reproach and insults upon the body that is subject to the same afflictions—took our side and turned upon one another even to the point of blows. When we saw the great confusion, we took the pious Barochas and departed to the holy church.
[24] After we saw that he was still breathing, we took care of him. Intense prayers were poured forth for him throughout the entire evening and night, for all the brethren had gathered. The holy Bishop did not cease weeping and beseeching God on his behalf, for he knew the quality of his divine zeal. When God saw the tears of the holy Bishop and the prayers of the people (for they counted him a second Phinehas against the idolaters), he hastened his mercy; and that night he opened his eyes, and he began to speak and ask to be given a drink. I, who was sitting beside him, immediately ran to report to the blessed Bishop; for in my great joy I forgot to give him a drink, and what happened to me was what befell the maidservant in the time of Blessed Peter, when, hearing his voice, she did not open the door for joy, but leaving him, first announced it to those who were in the house. Acts 12:14 Something like this happened to me as well. When the blessed Bishop heard this, he was not overcome by emotion but persevered in prayers. We then, understanding his firmness and constancy, left him; and the pious Deacon Cornelius and I withdrew—for he was sitting with me beside Blessed Barochas. After the most holy Bishop had completed his prayers and the entire sequence, he too, sitting with us, questioned the pious Barochas about how he had suffered this from the beginning. He told us everything.
[25] While we were deliberating about what should be done, morning came; and behold, the Defender of the people with the Irenarchs and two leading citizens, Timothy and Epiphanius, and many others, came and began to cry out and make a tumult, saying: Why have you brought a dead man into the city, when the laws of the fatherland forbid it? Meanwhile they also heaped insults upon the blessed Bishop. When we heard the tumult, we went out; and when they saw us, they began to beat me and the pious Deacon Cornelius. When we called those of the people to witness, the most holy Bishop shut our mouths, asking and admonishing each one not to be angry so rashly. But those impious men, the more they were asked, the more they raged and heaped abuse upon the holy man. When they continued to make a tumult, the pious Barochas was strengthened and fortified, and filled with divine zeal, and rising up, he seized a club and began to beat those he encountered. Fear fell upon them, and they began to fall one upon another in flight, and he pursued them all the way to what was then the Marneion, and our new Samson returned with a great victory, having himself also laid low a thousand foreigners. From that time the idolaters feared him and could not even hear his name. A short time afterward, we were deemed worthy of the order of the diaconate, both I and the pious Barochas—I indeed quite unworthy of attaining it; he, however, having most justly earned it.
NotesCHAPTER IV
By the Emperor's edict, the temples of idols were closed. A woman in labor aided by St. Porphyrius. Conversion of unbelievers.
[26] Seeing the wicked acts committed daily by the idolaters, our holy Father Porphyrius resolved to send me to Byzantium, to petition the Emperors to destroy the temples of idols; for at Gaza the one called the Marneion was still especially celebrated. Having written letters to the most holy Bishop of Constantinople, whose praise and glory are remembered by all, we sailed, and in twenty days arrived there. Having delivered the letters to Blessed John, I instructed him about everything in person. As soon as he heard, he communicated this to the Chamberlain Eutropius, who was then constantly in attendance upon the Emperor Arcadius. Having read the letters of the blessed Bishop and asked him to assist with a letter, having received his promises, he went out and said to me: Be at ease, my son. For I hope in the Lord Christ that he will show his customary mercy. I did not cease reminding him daily; he continued to send messages and press Eutropius. Seven days later, the Emperor's edict was pronounced, ordering the temples of the city of the Gazaeans to be closed and no longer consulted. This order was handed over to a certain Hilary, a subordinate assistant of the Master of Offices.
[27] Three days later I departed from Byzantium, and in ten days arrived in the city of the Gazaeans, arriving seven days before Hilary. I found the most holy Porphyrius ill. After I delivered to him the response of the most blessed Bishop John of Constantinople and he read it, he was filled with joy and recovered from his fever. He said he had fallen ill from the great affliction caused by the idolaters. Seven days later the said Hilary arrived, bringing two court officers of the Consulate and many assistants from Azotus and Ascalon and all the public officials. He immediately seized three leading citizens and, having received security from them, showed them the divine edict, which ordered the idol temples of the city of Gaza to be closed; and having overthrown all the images that were in them, he closed them. But he allowed the image of Marnas to be secretly consulted, having received large sums of money for this. The idolaters resumed their wicked practices as before.
[28] Another miracle also occurred, which provoked many to come to the knowledge of the truth. For God, who is merciful and compassionate, knows how to convert the human race to his light through various occasions. The event was as follows. A certain woman, distinguished in the city, named Aelia, when she was about to give birth, fell into great danger. The cause of the danger was that the fetus was not coming forth according to nature but was turned into an unnatural position, and having put out one hand, the rest of the body could not be delivered; for it was transverse in the womb, and the midwives could not bring it back to the natural position. The woman was tormented by unspeakable pain, as the pangs of labor then drove the fetus toward birth. The pain increased even more when the second day succeeded the first, and likewise the third day brought greater pain than the second. The pains increased up to seven days, with the affliction constantly growing. The doctors even wanted to cut out the fetus, but seeing their strength had failed, they abandoned all hope entirely. Her parents and her husband Heros, being devoted to the superstition of demons, daily offered sacrifice for her. They also brought in enchanters and soothsayers, thinking they would receive some benefit from them; but nothing helped.
[29] They had a faithful nurse, who, affected by the greatest anguish of mind, poured forth prayers for her in the houses of prayer. One day, while she was praying in the church with tears, St. Porphyrius entered about the ninth hour, and I with him. He saw the old woman in distress, praying to God with tears, and standing before her, he asked the reason. She, gazing upon him, fell at his feet, asking him to beseech Christ for her. After the Saint learned the reason from the woman, he too wept, for he was supremely compassionate. He said to the nurse: I hear that house is devoted to the worship of images and can hardly be saved. But God can do all things. For through various occasions he saves those who were about to perish. Go then and gather all the relatives, parents, and husband, and say to them: There is here an excellent physician who can cure her; if he succeeds in delivering her from this danger, what will you give him? They will certainly promise you many things. And say this to them too: If he cures her, promise me this as well: that you will not deceive him, nor go to another. Make them all extend their hands to heaven and promise that they will do everything they have pledged. And when they have done this, say to the woman in labor in the presence of all: Jesus Christ the Son of the living God heals you; believe in him and you will live.
[30] When the old woman had heard what the blessed Bishop said, and he had commended her to God, she ran home. Finding everyone weeping and the woman in extreme danger, she asked her parents and husband not to be distressed. She said: An excellent physician has sent me to you, so that you may promise me that if she is cured, you will not reject him. When her parents and husband heard, they said: If he wishes to take all our possessions, we will not refuse; only let us see our daughter alive. The nurse said: Extend your hands to heaven and pledge that you will not deny the physician. They, eagerly and with tears, stretched out their hands, saying: For the whole time of our life we will be his. For what consolation will we have if she dies? For she was their only child, graceful and refined in her ways, if any ever was. When the nurse heard this, she said in a loud voice before all: The great Priest Porphyrius says: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, heals you; believe in him and you will live. Immediately the woman, having cried out loudly, gave birth to a living child.
[31] All who were present there were astonished and exclaimed: Great is the God of the Christians! Great is the Priest Porphyrius! On the following day, the woman's parents, her husband, relatives, and all their friends went to Blessed Porphyrius, fell at his feet, and asked for the seal of Christ. The Blessed One, having signed them and made them catechumens, dismissed them in peace, commanding them to attend the holy Church. And shortly after, having instructed them in catechesis, he also baptized the infant along with the woman. He called his name Porphyrius. Those who were illuminated on account of the occasion of the woman numbered sixty-four.
NotesCHAPTER V
The journey of St. Porphyrius to Constantinople with the Archbishop of Caesarea. Events at Rhodes with the anchorite Procopius; at Constantinople with St. John Chrysostom and Amantius, the Chamberlain of the Empress.
[32] The more the idolaters saw the Christians multiplying, the more they were enraged, and would not allow them to hold civic offices but treated them as worthless servants. Blessed Porphyrius, again seeing the great injustice done to the Christians and unable to bear it, seeing them assaulted with reproaches and insults, went to Caesarea to the Blessed Archbishop John and asked him with tears to grant him release. For he said he could no longer endure the severe and absurd things done by the Gazaeans. When Blessed John heard, he asked him to bear patiently and with a brave spirit and retain the episcopate.
[33] The most holy Porphyrius answered and said to him: I call you to witness before the invisible God and our hope Jesus Christ, Lord of all creation, and the adorable and life-giving Holy Spirit, not to despise my petition, lest the destruction of innumerable souls be required of us. But I ask you, Father, to sail with me to the royal city, so that we may petition the Emperors—with the heavenly King consenting—to destroy the temples of the idols. Blessed John answered and said to him: My son, the petition is just, but the time is not suitable, for the winter solstice is imminent. Blessed Porphyrius replied: If God wishes us to be at Gaza and to convert the people, he can also preserve us in winter. You, Father, trusting in his mercy and compassion, consent to this, and the journey will prosper for us. Blessed John said to him: May the will of Christ be done.
[34] After Blessed John had given him his promise, he wrote to me, asking me to come to Caesarea as soon as possible and bring with me three books and forty-three coins, which were left to him from the revenue of the holy Church. Having received the letter and taken the books and coins, I immediately departed; and coming to Caesarea, I found the most holy Bishops ready to sail. Two days later we set sail and voyaged on the twenty-third of the month... and with God's kindness granting us a favorable voyage, in ten days we reached the island of Rhodes. At that time there was on the island, on the far side, a certain monk named Procopius, who is now enrolled among the Angels. For he fell asleep five years ago, having lived a life beyond reproach, in fasting and vigils and utmost poverty. He also had the gift of prophecy and the power of expelling demons. When, as I said, we had reached Rhodes and heard about the life of the holy man, we thought it necessary not to pass him by but to enjoy his angelic company. Having asked where his monastery was, we set out to see him, sailing in a small boat; and when we arrived, we knocked at the door. Immediately he came out and opened it for us himself, although he had another disciple with him.
[35] When he saw the most holy Bishops, falling to the ground, he worshipped them. Then rising, he also kissed me and the pious Deacon Eusebius, whom St. John the Archbishop was bringing with him. Having led us into the oratory, he stepped back, giving the first place to the most blessed Bishops, saying: It befits you, Priests, to have the first place; me, a humble and lowly man who has not attained ordination, the latter. Then we recognized that the most holy Procopius was endowed with the power of perception. For although he had never seen us nor heard of us, he knew by the spirit that the most blessed John and Porphyrius were Bishops, and therefore he honored them with the precedence of saying prayers first. Then after the prayers we sat down, and when he had spoken to us many things profitable to the soul, he asked the reason for the trouble of the journey we had undertaken. Blessed Porphyrius told him everything about the Gazaeans—how great their fury was in worshipping idols and how many evils the Christians suffered from them, and that they were ascending to Constantinople for this reason: to petition the Emperors that the temples of the idols be destroyed.
[36] When the holy anchorite Procopius heard this, he said: Lord Jesus Christ, convert your servants from the deceit of the devil to the enlightened faith. Then he said to the most holy Bishops: Be not anxious in mind, Fathers; for God, who knows the zeal of your faith, will direct your journey and give you all that your heart desires. Come now, I will give you the instructions that God has revealed to my humility. First, visit the most holy Bishop John, and pray to God with him, and set forth the matter to him. He will give you counsel about what the Lord has revealed to him. He cannot speak in the palace, since the Empress Eudoxia is angry with him. He will therefore commend you to Amantius the Chamberlain of the Lady, a pious man who holds priests in honor. He will introduce you to the Empress, and when you have entered her presence, she will receive you kindly. Set forth the whole matter to her, bid her farewell, and depart. At your second meeting with her, after you have reminded her of this matter, say to her: We hope in Christ the Son of God, that if you apply yourself to the present business, he will give you a male child. When she hears this, she will be glad—for she is pregnant, and this is the ninth month since she conceived—and she will do everything to bring the matter to a successful conclusion, with God's consent.
[37] We, having heard what the holy man said and believed his words—and after he had commended us to God—departed; and sailing that day, we voyaged and after ten more days arrived at Byzantium. Having found lodgings, the following day we went to the most holy Archbishop John. When he learned who we were, he received us with great honor and respect. He asked us for what reason we had undertaken this toil of the journey, and we told him. When he understood, he remembered that we had asked him this by letter long before; and having recognized me, he embraced me kindly. He asked us not to be anxious but to have hope in the mercy of God. He said to us: I indeed cannot speak with the Emperor, for the Empress has provoked him against me, because I reproved her on account of a property which she had seized after coveting it. And I am not concerned that they are angry. For they have harmed themselves, not me. And even if they harm my body, they will much more benefit my soul. But let us leave this to God's mercy. As for our edict, if it please the Lord, tomorrow I will summon the Eunuch Amantius, who is Chamberlain of the Empress and has great influence with her and is truly a servant of God, and I will set forth the matter to him, and he will apply great effort, with God's consent. After he had thus promised us and commended us to God, we went to our lodging.
[38] On the following day we went to the Saint and found the Chamberlain Amantius with him; for he had taken care of our business and, having summoned him, had instructed him about our matter. After we entered and Amantius recognized that we were those of whom he had been told, he rose and worshipped the most holy Bishops, with his face inclined to the ground. When they learned who he was, they embraced and kissed him. Moreover, the most holy Bishop John also ordered them to instruct the Chamberlain in person about their matter. The most holy Porphyrius told him everything about the idolaters—how freely and boldly they committed wicked acts, and how they afflicted and harassed the Christians. Hearing this, he wept and was filled with divine zeal, and said to them: Be not anxious, Fathers. The Lord Christ will defend his religion. Pray therefore, and I will speak with the Empress, and I hope in the God of all that he will show his accustomed mercy. Tomorrow I will introduce you to her, and she will learn from your own lips what you wish. You will find her already instructed by me. Having said this and bade us farewell, he departed. We too, having spoken many spiritual things with the most holy Archbishop John, and after he had commended us to God, departed.
NotesCHAPTER VI
The kindly conversation of St. Porphyrius with the Empress. The birth of Theodosius the Younger.
[39] On the following day the Chamberlain Amantius summoned us through two Decani to come to the palace; and rising, we went quickly. We found him waiting for us. He took the two Bishops and introduced them to the Empress Eudoxia. When she saw them, she greeted them first, saying: Bless me, Fathers. They worshipped her. She was seated on a golden couch and said to them: Forgive me, Priests of Christ, for the necessity of my condition that weighs upon me. For I ought to have met your Holiness in the vestibule. But for the Lord's sake, pray for me, that I may bring forth what is in my womb with God's kindness. The most holy Bishops, marveling at her great humility, said: May he who blessed the womb of Sarah, Rebecca, and Elizabeth also bless and give life to what is in your womb.
[40] After they had spoken other spiritual words as well, she said: I know why you have undertaken this toil of the journey; for the Eunuch Amantius has already instructed me. If you wish to instruct me as well, command, Fathers. Being so commanded, they explained everything pertaining to the idolaters—how they boldly committed impious acts and how by their power they oppressed the Christians, not allowing them to hold any public office nor to cultivate their own estates, from which they paid public taxes to the imperial power. When the Empress heard this, she said: Be not anxious, Fathers; for I hope in the Lord Christ, the Son of God, that I will persuade the Emperor to do what befits your holy faith, and that he will dismiss you having obtained your desire. Go then and refresh yourselves, for you are fatigued, and pray that God may assist my petition. Having said this, she ordered money to be brought; and taking about three handfuls, she gave it to the most holy Bishops, saying: Take this for your expenses meanwhile. The Bishops, having received it and blessed her abundantly, departed. As they went out, they distributed a large part of the money to the Decani who were in charge of the gates, so that little remained with them.
[41] The Empress, when the Emperor came to her, told him of the Bishops' business and asked that the temples of Gaza be destroyed. The Emperor, when he heard, was displeased, saying: I know that city is devoted to the worship of idols, but it is grateful to us in paying public taxes, which it contributes in great abundance. If therefore we suddenly destroy their temples, they will flee in fear and we shall lose so great a tax revenue. But if it seems good, let us afflict them gradually, depriving the idolaters of their dignities and other civic offices, and let us order their temples to be closed and no longer celebrated. For when they have been afflicted and reduced to every extremity, they will recognize the truth. For what is excessive, if it comes suddenly, is hard for those who are subjected to it. The Empress, when she heard this, was deeply grieved; for she was sharp and fervent in the faith. But to the Emperor she replied only this: The Lord will bring help to his Christian servants, whether we wish it or not. These things the pious Chamberlain Amantius reported to us.
[42] On the following day the Empress summoned us, and having greeted the holy Bishops first as was her custom, she ordered them to sit. After they had spoken many spiritual words, she said to them: I have spoken with the Emperor, and he was somewhat displeased. But be not anxious; for with God willing, I will not cease until you are satisfied and depart having achieved your goal, which is from God. The Bishops, hearing this, bowed. But our holy Porphyrius, stirred by the Spirit, remembering what the most blessed anchorite Procopius had said, said to the Empress: Labor for Christ, and he for your labor will give you a son who will live and reign while you behold him, and enjoy him for many years. When the Empress heard this, she was filled with joy, and her face flushed, and a beauty greater than what she already possessed came upon her; for what appears outwardly shows what is hidden within.
[43] She said therefore to the most holy Bishops: Pray, Fathers, that, as you have said, with God willing, we may bear a son; and if this comes to pass, I promise you that I will do everything you ask. Indeed, I will also do something else that you have not asked, with Christ consenting: for I will build a holy church at Gaza in the middle of the city. Go then in peace and rest, praying continually for me, that with God's kindness I may give birth. And shortly afterward I will fulfill this. When the Bishops had bidden farewell and commended her to God, they departed from the palace. We prayed that she might bear a son, for we believed what the holy anchorite Procopius had said. We went daily to the most holy Archbishop John and enjoyed his most holy words, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. The Chamberlain Amantius also came to us, sometimes bringing responses from the Empress, sometimes also simply to visit us.
[44] A few days later, the Empress gave birth to a son, and they named him Theodosius, which was the name of his grandfather, Theodosius the Spaniard, who had reigned together with Gratian. The younger Theodosius was born in the purple. Whence also, as soon as he was born, he was proclaimed Emperor. There was great joy in the city, and messengers were sent through the cities to announce these things and to distribute gifts and presents. When the Lady had given birth and risen from the birth chamber, she sent Amantius to us, saying through him: I give thanks to Christ that through your holy prayers God has given me a son. Pray therefore, Fathers, for his life and for me, humble and lowly, that I may fulfill what I have promised you, again through the will of Christ and your holy prayers.
[45] When seven days had been completed from the birth, she summoned us, and met us at the door of the bedchamber, carrying the infant in purple. She bowed her head, saying: Bless me, Fathers, and my son, whom the Lord has given through your holy prayers. She also handed over the infant that they might sign him. The holy Bishops signed both her and the infant with the sign of the Cross; and having prayed, they sat down. After they had spoken many words full of compunction, the Lady said to them: Do you know, Fathers, what I have resolved to do about your matter? My Lord Porphyrius answered and said: Whatever you have resolved, you have resolved from God; for in this night it was revealed to my humility through a vision that I was at Gaza and standing in the shrine which they call Marnion there, and that your piety handed me the Gospel and said: Take, read. When I opened it, I found that passage in which the Lord Christ says to Peter: Matthew 16:18 You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And you, Lady, answered and said: Peace to you; be strong and courageous. After this I was awakened; and from this I am convinced that the Son of God will assist the intention of your soul. But tell us, Lady, what you have resolved.
[46] The Empress answered and said: If it please Christ, in a few days the infant will be deemed worthy of holy baptism. Go then and prepare a petition, and ask in it whatever you wish. And when the infant has come forth from the venerable baptism, hand the petition to the one who will carry him. I will instruct him what to do; and I hope in the Son of God that he will arrange the whole matter according to the will of his mercy. We, having received these promises from her and having blessed her and the infant abundantly, departed, and going prepared the petition, setting forth many things in the document—not only the destruction of the idols, but also that privileges be given to the holy Church and to the Christians, and that revenue be provided; for the holy Church was poor.
NotesCHAPTER VII
The Baptism of Theodosius the Younger. The destruction of idols obtained. Various gifts bestowed on St. Porphyrius.
[47] When the days had passed, the day arrived on which the new Emperor Theodosius was to be illuminated; the whole city was crowned and adorned with silk and gold and every other ornament, to the point that no one could describe the adornment of the city. Indeed, one could behold the surging multitude of inhabitants clothed in manifold and varied types of garments. It is not within my power to describe the splendor of that decoration, but of those who are practiced in speaking. I shall proceed to the present true account. After the younger Theodosius was baptized and came out of the church into the palace, one could again behold the magnificence of the dignitaries who presided over the multitude, and their gleaming vestments; for they were all clad in white, so that the multitude appeared to be covered with snow. Patricians, Illustrious men, and every rank with military orders preceded, all carrying candles, so that stars seemed to be seen on earth. Near the infant, who was being carried, was the Emperor Arcadius himself, with a cheerful and bright countenance, more splendid than the purple he wore. One of the nobles carried the boy in a splendid garment. We marveled, seeing such glory. St. Porphyrius said to us: If things that soon vanish have such glory, how much more the heavenly things prepared for the Saints, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have they entered into the heart of man? We stood in the vestibule of the holy church, also holding the document of the petition.
[48] After he had come forth from the baptism, we cried out saying: We beseech your piety—and handed over the document as well. When the one who was carrying the boy saw and recognized our business (for he had previously learned of it from the Lady), he ordered the document to be given to him. Having received it, he stopped. He ordered silence to be made, and having unrolled it, read a portion; and having rolled it up again, he placed his hand under the head of the infant; and having inclined it, he proclaimed before all: His power commands that the things in the petition be done. All who saw were amazed and worshipped the Emperor, pronouncing him blessed for being deemed worthy to see in his lifetime a son ruling; and he exulted upon hearing. The news of what had been done on account of her son was also reported to the Empress Eudoxia. She was glad and, bending her knees, gave thanks to God.
[49] When the infant entered the palace, the Lady met him and received and kissed him; and carrying him, she also greeted the Emperor, saying: You are blessed, Lord, because of what your eyes have seen in your lifetime. The Emperor was glad upon hearing. When the Empress saw him cheerful, she said: If it seems good, let us learn what the petition contains, so that everything in it may absolutely be carried out. The Emperor ordered the document to be read; and after it was read, he said: The petition is indeed weighty, but refusal is weightier, since this is the first command of our son. The Lady said to him: Not only the first command, but also in this holy garment and the grace of piety is the petition made, and asked by holy men. At last the Emperor consented, with the Lady pressing him strongly. All these things the pious Chamberlain Amantius reported to us.
[50] On the following day the Empress summoned us; having greeted the holy Bishops first as was her custom, she ordered them to sit and said to them: By your prayers God has granted me your request, and this was accomplished with his help. You have seen by what way and means I proceeded. But if it seems good, tomorrow I will summon the Quaestor, and in your presence I will command him to draft, in accordance with what the petition contains, a divine rescript in the name of the two Emperors; and to say it at once, let him do everything that follows. The Bishops, having heard this, blessed her greatly, and her son, and the Emperor. After they had discussed many other things profitable to the soul and bidden farewell, they departed. On the following day she summoned both the Quaestor and us. She said to him: Take this document, and in accordance with what it contains, put the divine rescript into writing. The Quaestor, having received the document, rapidly dictated the divine rescript in our presence. We also suggested to him that Dukes and Consular governors and their forces be assigned to assist us.
[51] After the divine rescript had been completed and signed, we asked the Lady that this business be entrusted to some illustrious man. She ordered Amantius to find a Christian man of good zeal to whom this business should be committed. For many of those who were then in positions of dignity held the faith with pretense, against whom Divine justice exacted punishment. For when the Emperors learned that they were not rightly disposed toward the undefiled faith, they stripped them of their dignities and punished them both in body and with fines; these things, however, had happened earlier. Wherefore the Empress ordered our business to be committed to an orthodox man. It was committed to a certain Cynegius from the Consistory, an admirable man and fervent in the faith. Having summoned him, the Empress ordered that all idols be overthrown to the ground and consigned to fire. Moreover, she also gave him money from her own hand, saying: Take this for expenses, and take nothing from the most holy Bishops. Having received such instructions from the Lady, he departed even more prompt and eager.
[52] When we had spent the rest of the winter and celebrated the holy Paschal feast days and the day of the Resurrection, we prepared ourselves for sailing. We asked the admirable Amantius to inform the Lady, so that we might bid her farewell. When he heard this, he was deeply grieved, because we were about to sail; for he loved us so much that he asked the Lady to let him go to pray at the holy and venerable places. But the Lady was afraid to let him go, lest, if he went there, he would become a monk and remain. For she knew the man's life; he was indeed beyond reproach, giving many alms, fasting perpetually, receiving many guests, and contributing to pious causes. So much for the pious Amantius. He informed the Lady about us, and we entered her presence. She said to the most holy Bishops: When, God willing, will you sail? They said: We have come for this purpose, to bid farewell to your power. She said: Remember me always, and my son.
[53] She ordered money to be brought immediately. When it was brought, she said to my Lord Bishop Porphyrius: Take, Father, these two hundred... and build the church that I have promised in the midst of Gaza; and let me know if you need more money, and I will send it immediately. Build also a hospice, so that you may receive the brethren who come to your city and provide them with sustenance for three days. She also gave the most holy John a thousand gold coins, and precious vessels to both. For expenses she gave both of them about a hundred gold coins. The aforesaid most holy John, Bishop of Caesarea, also obtained whatever privileges he wished for his church. Having prayed and blessed the Lady and her son and the Emperor abundantly, they departed.
[54] They also asked to be admitted to the Emperor. The Emperor asked them whether they were altogether ready to depart and whether the Empress had given them anything. They said: We are altogether ready, thanks to your gracious piety, your pious consort, and your son—whom may God protect—and many and great gifts have been given to us. The Emperor at once also ordered the Prefects to give them from the public revenues of Palestine about twenty pounds of gold. He himself also gave about one handful for expenses, which was found to contain about fifty coins. Having blessed him also abundantly, they departed. We spent another three days in the city until we received the delegation of forty pounds, and after three days, having boarded a ship, we sailed for Gaza on the twenty-third of Xanthicus, which is the eighteenth of April among the Romans. The most excellent Cynegius set out after us, using a public vessel.
Notesb. Flooded.
c. The 5th of April.
CHAPTER VIII
The return of St. Porphyrius to Gaza; a storm calmed from heaven; solemn entrance into the city.
[55] We reached Rhodes in five days, and we were very eager to go to the holy anchorite Procopius. We earnestly asked the ship's master to grant us three hours, but he refused, saying: I cannot find such a favorable wind. We said to him: The prayers of the holy man can preserve us and give us a favorable wind. But the master, angered, did not grant our petition. So we took on water and set sail. We were greatly distressed that we had not been permitted to meet him. Therefore, in our prayers we asked him to forgive us and to pray for us that we might be safe and bring to completion the work entrusted to us.
[56] When we had sailed from Rhodes and for two days the voyage had been favorable in the calm and serenity of the sea, suddenly a storm arose, and winds, and lightning and thunder, and the waves were raised to the height of mountains, and the ship was lifted so high that we thought it was touching the clouds. There were cries and tears and prayer to God; we also implored the prayers of the holy anchorite Procopius. When evening came and the storm did not cease, we remained awake the entire night. Around dawn, from much affliction, the most holy Bishops dozed a little, and my Lord Porphyrius saw in a dream the holy anchorite Procopius saying to them: Catechize and seal the ship's master (for he is of the execrable heresy of Arius), and make him anathematize Arius and his evil faith, and immediately the great storm will cease. For it was because he is of the said heresy that he did not allow you to come to me. But catechize him, for he will accept the right doctrine from you.
[57] When our holy Porphyrius heard this, he was awakened, and having summoned us, he related what he had seen in the dream. Immediately, having called the master, we said to him: Do you wish your ship to be saved, and all of us, and above all your own soul? He said: This need not be asked. The Bishops said to him: Renounce your evil faith, and believe in the right faith, and you will be saved—you and the ship and all of us. The master said to them: Since I see that you have foreknowledge (for you have understood what was in my heart, though no one told you), behold I say to you: I believe as you believe, and I renounce the heresy of Arius. I ask you, however, to illuminate me at leisure from the holy Scriptures in the right faith. The holy Bishops received him and sealed him, having poured forth prayers over him, and they also imparted to him the divine Sacraments. Meanwhile the waves ceased, and in the evening the wind changed, and we sailed favorably; and having been at sea another four days, on the morning of the fifth we reached the coastal area of the Gazaeans, which they call Maiuma.
[58] When we had disembarked and the Christians there recognized us, they received us with psalmody. Likewise, those from the city also, when they heard, came out to meet us, carrying the sign of the venerable Cross and themselves also singing psalms. Those from both places joined together and became a considerable crowd—for those from the coastal area were more numerous, because they had many Egyptian wine merchants there. The worshippers of idols, seeing what was happening, were torn apart with grief; but they dared do nothing, because they had heard in how great honor the most holy Bishops had been held by the Emperors, and that the idols were to be destroyed. They were seized with great care and anguish of soul.
[59] After we had entered the city, at the place called Tetramphodos, that is, the crossroads, there stood a marble statue, which they said was of Venus, and it was upon a marble altar. The figure of the statue was that of a naked woman with all her private parts exposed. All the citizens held the statue in honor, especially the women, lighting lamps and burning incense. For they said it answered in dreams those who wished to enter into marriage. But they deceived one another with lies. Often, however, when commanded by the demon to contract a marriage, so far was it from going well for them that divorces occurred between them, or they lived together miserably. These things we learned from those who had been turned from error and recognized the truth.
[60] Indeed, some idolaters, unable to bear the calamities of the burdensome marriages they had been commanded to contract by the demon Venus, became angry and confessed the deception. For such is the nature of demons: they deceive and never speak anything true. Nor can they know anything for certain; but from probabilities they pretend to have foreknowledge before those who serve them. For how can those who have fallen from truth speak the truth? And if in some cases they happen to divine correctly, this occurs by chance—just as it also happens among men, who often predict some future event about something that is going to occur. Those predictions that happen to succeed, which is rare, we admire. Those we fail to guess, which happens continually, we pass over in silence. So much for demons and their deception.
[61] When, therefore, as was said, we had sailed into the city and came to the place where the said statue of Venus stood—and the Christians were carrying the venerable wood of Christ, that is, the figure of the Cross—the demon who inhabited the statue, neither seeing nor enduring the sight of the sign that was being carried, shamefully departed from the marble, threw down the statue itself, and broke it into many fragments. It happened that two idolaters were standing near the altar on which the statue stood; and as it fell, it broke the head of one into two parts and the shoulder and forearm of the other. For they were both standing there mocking the holy people.
[62] Many of the Gentiles, when they saw the sign that had occurred, believed, and mingling with the laity, entered together with them into the holy church called Irene. There was great joy that day among the Christians, for three reasons: first, because they had received their Priest safe and sound, and one who had accomplished what they desired; second, because the gods of the nations were crushed and become as dust scattered from the summer threshing floor—and likewise those who trusted in them were broken just as the gods themselves; and third—and most especially—because souls that had been wandering were saved and were added to the flock of Christ. When the Bishop had sealed them, he dismissed them in peace, commanding them to devote themselves to the holy Scriptures. There were 32 men and seven women. When the Archbishop John had spent two more days at Gaza, he departed for Caesarea, and all the Christians and the holy Bishop escorted him for two miles.
NotesCHAPTER IX
The temples of idols destroyed at Gaza. Very many idolaters converted by St. Porphyrius.
[63] After the tenth day, the admirable Cynegius arrived, bringing with him the Consular governor, the Duke, and a great military and civilian force. Many of the idolaters had foreknowledge of this and left the city—some to the villages, others to other cities—and they were a considerable number of the wealthy citizens. Cynegius, whom we mentioned, recorded the houses of those who had fled. On the following day, having summoned the citizens, in the presence of the Duke and the Consular governor, he opened the imperial letters, which commanded that the idols and shrines be overthrown and consigned to fire. When the idolaters first heard this, they wailed with a great cry, so that the magistrates bore it ill and sent soldiers against them with threats, who beat them with rods and clubs. The Christians, however, praised the Emperors and the magistrates with great joy.
[64] Immediately, with the magistrates and military cohorts, they made an assault and overthrew the shrines. There were in the city eight public temples of idols: namely, of the Sun, Venus, Apollo, Proserpina, Hecate, and what was called the Hierion or temple of the priests, the Fortune of the city which they called the Tycheon, and the Marnion, which they said was dedicated to Jupiter of Cretan origin, which they considered more glorious than all the temples that exist anywhere. There were also many other idols in private houses and villages, which no one could number. For the demons, having seized the pliable minds of the Gazaeans, filled the entire city and the surrounding region with error; and this happened to them from excessive simplicity. Wherefore, when brought over to the holy faith, they become Christians stirred by great zeal. So much for the Gazaeans.
[65] The soldiers, therefore, when commanded, together with the Christians of the city and its maritime district, made an assault upon the idols. First, when they wished to overthrow the images and the Marnion, they were repulsed. For the idol's priests, having heard of it beforehand, had blocked the gates of the inner temple from inside with great stones; and having carried into the so-called inner sanctuaries whatever precious vessels were in the temple—and even the very animals sacred to the gods—they hid them there; and through the sanctuaries themselves they fled by other routes. For they said the inner sanctuaries had many exits leading to different places. Repulsed therefore, as I said before, they turned to the other shrines; some they overthrew, others they consigned to fire. When they had seized all the precious vessels in them, the holy Porphyrius pronounced an anathema in the church against any Christian citizen who took anything from the shrines for personal profit. No faithful citizen took anything, but only the soldiers and strangers who were found there. Pious men of the Clergy, together with the laity, and the holy Bishop Porphyrius himself, went about restraining them from taking anything. They spent ten days overthrowing the temples of the idols.
[66] After the said days, they took counsel as to what they should do with the Marnion and how to deal with it. For some said it ought to be dug up; others that it should be burned; others that the place should be purified and sanctified for a church of God; and there was great deliberation on this matter. Finally the holy Bishop proclaimed a fast and prayer for the people, that the Lord might reveal to them what they should do. When on that day they had fasted and prayed to God about this matter, in the evening they performed the holy assembly. While it was being performed, a boy about seven years old, standing with his own mother, suddenly exclaimed, saying: Burn the inside of the temple to the ground. For many grievous things were done in it, and especially human sacrifices. And burn it in this way: Bring moist pitch, sulfur, and pork fat, and mix these three together, and anoint the bronze gates, and set fire to them, and so the whole temple will be burned. For it cannot be done otherwise. But the outside, leave it with its enclosure; and after it has been burned, purifying the place, build there a holy church. He also said this: I testify to you before God that it should not be done otherwise. For it is not I who speak, but Christ who speaks in me. He said these things in the Syrian language. After they heard, all were amazed and glorified God.
[67] This miracle also came to the ears of the holy Bishop; and extending his hands to heaven, he glorified God and said: I thank you, holy Father, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little ones. Matthew 11:25 The boy also commanded that his mother, after the church was dismissed, be found at the Bishop's house. Having separated the boy, the Bishop said to the woman: I adjure you by the Son of the living God to tell me whether at your suggestion or that of anyone else, with your knowledge, your son spoke those things he said about the Marnion. When the woman heard this, she said: I submit myself to the terrible and fearful tribunal of Christ—I never had foreknowledge of anything my son said today. But if it seems good to you, take the boy and question him with threats; if he spoke at anyone's suggestion, he will confess out of fear; but if he says nothing else, it is evident that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. When the Bishop heard what the woman said and praised it, he ordered her to withdraw a little and the boy to be brought in. When the boy was brought, he said to him: Who suggested to you that you speak those things in the church about the Marnion? The boy was silent. The most holy Bishop ordered a whip to be brought and the boy to be stretched out, so as to frighten him. Holding the whip, he cried out in a loud voice, saying: Who told you to speak? Tell me, lest you be struck with the whip. The boy stood mute, saying nothing. Then we who were around him said these things to him with threats, but he remained immovable.
[68] At last, after all had ceased, opening his mouth, the boy said in the Greek language: Burn the inside of the temple to the ground. For many grievous things were done in it, and especially human sacrifices. And burn it in this way: Bring moist pitch, and sulfur, and pork fat, and mix these three together, and anoint the bronze gates, and set fire to them; and so the temple will be burned. Otherwise it cannot be done. But the outside, leave it with its enclosure; and after it has been burned, having purified the place, build there a holy church. For I testify to you before God that it cannot be done otherwise. For it is not I who speak, but Christ who is in me. The most holy Bishop Porphyrius and all who were with him were amazed, having heard the boy's confident freedom of speech, and that he had spoken distinctly and clearly. Having summoned the mother, he asked her whether she or her son knew the Greek language. She affirmed with an oath that neither she nor her son knew Greek. When the most holy Porphyrius heard this again, he praised the Lord; and bringing three coins, he gave them to the woman. The boy, however, when he saw the coins in his mother's hand, exclaimed, saying in the Syrian language: Do not take them, mother, lest you too sell the gift of Christ for gold. When we heard this again, we were supremely amazed. The woman returned the three coins, saying to the Bishop: Pray for me and my son, and commend us to God. The holy Bishop dismissed them in peace.
[69] In the morning, when the devout Clergy and the Christ-loving people had gathered, and also the admirable Cynegius and the magistrates, he told them how the boy had spoken about the Marnion. When they heard, they were amazed and said with common consent that, as the boy had said, so it should be burned. Moist pitch, therefore, sulfur, and pork fat were brought, and these three being mixed, they anointed the inner gates; and having offered prayers, they applied fire, and immediately the whole temple caught fire and was burned. As many of the soldiers and strangers as could, snatched from the fire whatever they found—whether gold, silver, iron, or lead.
[70] There was a certain military officer there, called a Tribune, who was present at the burning of the temple. He appeared to be a Christian, but secretly was an idolater. While he was present and saw the conflagration and the plundering that was being done by the soldiers, he was torn apart within; and under the pretense that he was seeing to it that they maintained order, he cruelly beat with whips anyone he found carrying any spoil. While these things were happening and the walls had been damaged by the fire, suddenly a burning beam fell upon the Tribune and brought him a twofold death. For having fractured his head, it burned the rest of his body. Immediately the faithful soldiers and the Christ-loving people, knowing him to be inclined toward idols, glorified God and recited that psalm which says: Why do you boast of evil, you who are mighty in iniquity? All day long your tongue has devised injustice; like a sharp razor you have practiced deceit. Psalm 52 You have loved evil more than good, injustice more than speaking righteousness. You have loved all words of destruction, a deceitful tongue. Therefore God will destroy you forever; he will pluck you up and make you migrate from your tabernacle, and your root from the land of the living—and what follows further in the psalm. The temple burned continuously for many days.
[71] Afterwards, a search of houses was also conducted, for there were many idols in numerous dwellings. Those that were found were partly consigned to fire, partly thrown into the mud. Books also were found, full of tricks and incantations, which they called sacred, from which the idolaters performed their mysteries and other wicked acts. They themselves suffered the same fate as their gods.
[72] Many hastened to the holy faith—some through fear, others condemning their former way of life. The holy Church opened its doors to all. For she remembered the holy Scripture which says: To him who knocks it will be opened; and he who seeks, finds. Matthew 7:7 And again: Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. Philippians 1:18 But certain of the faithful said to the holy Bishop that he ought not to receive those who came on account of fear, but only those who came with a good intention. The holy Bishop said to those who spoke thus:
[73] There are also virtues that come to men through chance and calamity. Just as one who possesses a wicked and ungrateful slave first admonishes him to be always mindful and grateful; but when he sees him in no way obeying the admonition, he thereafter necessarily inspires fear in him, and stripes, and chains, and other such things—not wishing to destroy him but to save him and to make him recognize what is right. Consider God to be like this as well, who patiently bears our ingratitude; he often counsels what is useful for us, through the Scriptures and other holy men. But when we do not obey—wishing absolutely, as one who is good and kind, to possess us and not to reject us—he inspires in us his fear and discipline, inviting us to recognize through necessity what is right. Wherefore Scripture says: When he slew them, then they sought him, and turned, and in the morning they watched for God. Psalm 78:34 And again it says, concerning those who draw back and shake off the yoke from God: With bit and bridle you will crush the jaws of those who do not draw near to you. Psalm 32:9 It is necessary therefore, my children, to admonish humanity through fears and threats and discipline. Psalm 119:71 Therefore again it says: It is good that you have humbled me, that I might learn your ordinances. These things have been said by me on account of those who wish to approach our holy faith. For even if they come with doubt, time can soften them, with Christ consenting. And to report another thing to you as well: even if they are not found worthy of trust, as being already in a bad condition, those who are born of them can be saved, as those who are brought up with good people.
[74] When the holy Porphyrius had said these things and persuaded the brethren, he received all who wished to be illuminated, instructing them in catechesis for many days—not only before baptism but also afterward. For he continually taught the word, not using splendid and magnificent speech and wishing to display himself, but using simple language and resolving everything from Scripture. In that year about three hundred names were added to the flock of Christ, and from that time the affairs of the Christians received increase each year.
NoteCHAPTER X.
The new church built by St. Porphyrius. Three boys who fell into a well are saved.
[75] When the Marnion had been completely burned and cleared away by the appointed city officials, the blessed Bishop together with the devout Clergy and Christ-loving people resolved to build a holy church on the burned site, as had been revealed to him when he was at Constantinople—for which purpose he had also received money from the most devout Empress Eudoxia. Having dismissed the magistrates and the Christ-loving people, he retained part of the force, lest any disturbance should occur after their departure—not only for this reason, but also so that they might help in gathering material for the building of the said holy church. Some advised that it be built in the same form as the idol's temple had been. For it was round in shape, surrounded by two porticoes passing under each other on the interior; its center was arranged for releasing vapors, facing north and rising high. It also had certain other features befitting idols, suited to the execrable and wicked things done by the idolaters. In this form and arrangement, therefore, some said the holy church should be built; others, however, disagreed, saying that even the memory of the arrangement should be destroyed. Those who said this persuaded all, as having spoken correctly. The most holy Bishop said: Let us leave this also to counsel. Meanwhile, while the site was being cleared, a courier arrived, bringing imperial letters from the ever-memorable Eudoxia. The letters contained a greeting and a request for prayers for her husband and son. But on another sheet within the letters was drawn the plan of the holy church in the form of a Cross, as it is seen even now, with God willing; and the letters directed that the holy church be built in accordance with the said plan. St. Porphyrius was delighted when he read it and saw the plan that had been drawn. For he knew this too had been done by divine revelation, and he remembered the Scripture which says: The heart of the King is in the hand of God. Proverbs 21:1 The letters also stated that precious columns and marbles would be sent.
[76] When the ashes had been removed and all abominations cleared away, the remaining marble ruins of the Marnion—which they said were sacred and in an inaccessible place, especially to women—the holy Bishop decided should be laid as pavement in the open square before the church, to be trampled on not only by men but also by women, dogs, pigs, and beasts. This was more distressing to the idolaters than the conflagration of the temple itself. Wherefore many of them, especially women, to this day do not step upon the marbles. A short time later, he proclaimed a one-day fast; and when the morning prayers had been dismissed, the pious Bishop commanded every Christ-loving man to bring picks, rakes, and other similar tools. This he had ordered the evening before, so that all would be found ready in the morning—which was also done.
[77] When the people had gathered with the said tools in the holy church called Irene, he ordered all to go singing psalms together to what had formerly been the Marnion. He himself followed, carrying the holy Gospel and having the devout Clergy around him, truly imitating Christ with his disciples. Before the people went the ever-memorable Barochas, carrying the image of the venerable Cross. On both sides of the people were soldiers who had been left to maintain order in the city. As they went they sang psalms, and in the pauses between the verses of the psalm they said Alleluia. The psalm they recited was: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior. Psalm 95 Let us come before his face with thanksgiving, and with psalms let us make a joyful noise to him. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all the earth; for in his hand are the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains. For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and fall down before him, and let us weep before the Lord who made us; for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. He also recited other psalms, until they entered the Marnion.
[78] St. Porphyrius the Bishop engaged a certain Rufinus, an architect from Antioch, a faithful and skilled man, through whom the entire building was also completed. He, taking plaster, marked out the plan of the holy church in accordance with the design that had been sent by the eminently pious Empress Eudoxia. When the most holy Bishop had prayed and knelt, he ordered the people to dig. Immediately all with one mind and the same eagerness began digging, crying out: Christ has conquered! One could not see any difference between man and woman, old and young; but an eager and zealous spirit gave strength to all. Some dug, and others carried away the earth, so that in a few days all the sites had been excavated and the earth removed.
[79] When the material had first been prepared—with huge stones from the mound called Aldioma, on the eastern side of the city, and other materials—the Saint, again assembling the Christ-loving people, and after many prayers and psalm-singing at the site, he himself was the first to gird himself, begin carrying stones, and lay the foundations. Then the devout Clergy also, and all the laity, rejoicing and singing psalms in a loud voice, so that they could be heard three miles from the city.
[80] A great miracle occurred on that day. There are wells within the sacred enclosure, of which one is on the western side of the holy Church of God that now exists—not a little deep. Three boys, being thirsty, went to drink, and approaching the mouth of the well, they leaned over, resting on a piece of wood that was at the mouth of the well, as boys are wont to do; and the wood having broken, all three fell into the well. Certain persons who happened to be there went and reported to the people what had happened. There was considerable tumult, with everyone running to the well. When the most holy Bishop learned what had happened, he too ran to the place and ordered silence to be made. When this was done, he began to pray and beseech God with many tears, that he might preserve the boys alive and unharmed—especially on account of the idolaters, lest they say: Where is their God, in whom they trusted? After spending one hour prostrate on the ground and rising, he ordered someone to descend by means of ropes from pulleys and search for the boys. For those of the people were shouting, calling the boys by name, but no one could hear them from below in the well.
[81] When the man descended, the three boys were found sitting on a large stone, unharmed and cheerful, conversing among themselves. When the man saw them, he was greatly amazed, glorified God, and shouted from below, saying: Praise the Lord, for the three boys are alive! When the holy Bishop and the people heard, they rejoiced; and having lowered a large basket, they ordered the three boys to be brought up together, for they were small, about six or seven years old. The basket having been received, the man below made those three boys, tied up, sit securely, telling them to close their eyes until they had reached the top and to say: Jesus Christ, save us. When he had done this, he shouted for them to pull the rope carefully; and as they pulled, they sang the hymn of the three youths: Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers. Daniel 3 When they arrived and the most holy Bishop saw them (for he was standing at the mouth of the well and holding the rope), filled with joy and tears, he exclaimed: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and Praise the Lord. After they had lifted them from the basket, they examined whether any part of their bodies was broken, and nothing was found wrong with them.
[82] But we beheld a great miracle. For the three boys were found to have signs of the Cross, as if pierced with a needle. One had it in the middle of his forehead, another on the top of his right hand near the fingers, and another on his right shoulder. The Crosses were beautifully formed, neither crooked nor curved, but of one measure, so that it was clear they were divine signs. For they caused no pain and had not drawn blood, but were impressed as if with cinnabar, and they remained on them for a long time, so that all might see and marvel. For many even of the foreigners, when they saw them, believed.
[83] When the man who had descended on account of the boys also ascended, he affirmed with an oath, saying: When I placed them in the basket and they were being carried up, I saw around them something like lightning, until they reached the mouth of the well. That day was one of joy for the Christians, but of grief and offense for the worshippers of idols. The building progressed daily, with all working eagerly and zealously. For there was no one who cheated any worker of his wages; he even gave more, behaving generously toward those who worked. For he said it was just that every work of the building should receive not a curse but a blessing.
[84] In the following year the Empress Eudoxia sent the columns she had promised, which were large and admirable, thirty in number. Two of them are called Carystian, and they are in the holy church, shining like emeralds. When those who bore them had arrived by sea, the zeal and eager spirit of the Christ-loving people was again displayed. For when all heard, they immediately ran to the shore—not only men, but also women, children, and the elderly; for the desire of the faith strengthened them all. Bringing wagons, they placed each column on one and dragged it and deposited it in the open courtyard of the temple; and returning again, they brought another, until they had carried them all. So much for these matters.
NotesCHAPTER XI
A Manichaean woman punished by sudden death at the prayer of St. Porphyrius for blasphemy. Dedication of the church. Almsgiving of St. Porphyrius.
[85] At that time a certain woman from Antioch came to the city, named Julia, who was of the execrable heresy of those called Manichaeans. Having learned that some had been recently illuminated and were not yet established in the holy faith, she crept into their minds and corrupted them through her teaching, which dazzled and enchanted the eyes—but much more through the dispensing of money. For the one who invented the said impious heresy could not ensnare anyone except by giving money. For their teaching, to those who are wise, is full of every blasphemy and condemnation and old wives' tales, which attract silly women and childish men who have light minds and thoughts. For from diverse heresies and pagan doctrines they constructed their perverse opinion, cunningly and craftily wishing to capture all. For they speak of many gods, to please the Gentiles. Moreover, they observe the time of birth and assert fate and astrology, so that they may sin with impunity, as if it were not in our power to sin but from the necessity of fate.
[86] Furthermore, they also confess Christ. For they say he was a man in appearance only. And they themselves are said to be Christians in appearance only. For I pass over the things that are ridiculous and worthy of execration, lest I fill the ears of those who read with an unpleasant and monstrous narration. For mixing the tales of Philistion, Scenus, and Hesiod, and others who are called philosophers, with Christian matters, they constructed their heresy. For just as a painter, making a mixture from various colors, produces in imagination a man, or a beast, or something else, to deceive those who look—so that to the foolish and senseless it appears to be real, but to the wise it is a shadow, a deception, and a human contrivance—so also the Manichaeans, drawing from diverse doctrines, produced their wicked opinion; or rather, gathering and mixing poison from diverse serpents, they made a lethal venom for the destruction of human souls. As was said before, while the pestilent woman was there, some were seduced by her deceitful teaching.
[87] After some days, when St. Porphyrius learned of this from certain faithful persons, he summoned her and asked who she was, where she came from, and what opinions she held. She confessed both her homeland and that she was a Manichaean. When those who were with him were moved to anger (for they were certain pious persons), the Blessed One asked them not to be angry but to admonish her patiently, once and again, observing what the holy Apostle says. Titus 3:1 Then he said to the woman: Abstain, sister, from this evil opinion; for it is satanic. She replied: Speak and listen; and either you will persuade, or you will be persuaded. The Saint said: Prepare yourself for tomorrow and come here. After she had bidden him farewell, she departed. The Blessed One, having fasted and earnestly asked Christ to put the devil to shame, was prepared for the following day. He also summoned certain pious Clerics and laymen to witness his disputation with the woman.
[88] On the following day the woman came, bringing with her two men and as many women, who were younger and beautiful; all were pale. Julia, however, was advanced in age. Their entire disputation was drawn from the writings and speeches of worldly learning—but much more so Julia's. Their dress was humble and their manners modest; and as the saying goes, outwardly sheep, but inwardly ravenous wolves and venomous creatures. Matthew 7:15 For they say and do everything with pretense. Then, being bidden to sit, they debated and inquired. The holy Porphyrius, carrying the holy Gospels, made the sign of the Cross upon his mouth and began to ask her to state her opinion. She began. Brother Cornelius the Deacon, who was mentioned a short while before, knowing the shorthand used in courts, was ordered by the most blessed Bishop to record everything that was said and countered, with me and Brother Barochas checking. I did not write the disputation in this book, because it is long, since I wish to commit this writing to paper in a compendium; I have set it forth in another book for those who wish to know the wisdom given by God to the most holy Porphyrius and the old wives' tales prattled by the prodigiously verbose and poisonous Julia.
[89] Divine justice quickly pursued her. For after she had babbled many things for many hours and uttered her usual blasphemies against the Lord and God of all, St. Porphyrius, moved by divine zeal, seeing the One who contains all boundaries—both those that fall under observation and those that do not—being assailed with blasphemies and curses by a woman in whom the devil was working and who submitted to his will, pronounced sentence against her, saying: God who makes all things, who alone is eternal, having neither beginning nor end, who is glorified in the Trinity, will strike your tongue and shut your mouth, so that it may not speak blasphemies.
[90] The punishment immediately followed the pronouncement of the sentence. For Julia began to tremble and her face changed; and remaining in an ecstasy for a long time, she did not speak, but was mute and motionless, with her eyes open and gazing at the most holy Bishop. Those who were with her, when they saw what she was enduring, were seized with great fear. They tried to console her and sang incantations at her ears, but there was no voice, nor hearing. After she had remained mute for a long time, she breathed out her soul, departing to the darkness she had honored, considering them to be light—in accord with the Scripture which says: Woe to those who call that which is sweet bitter, and that which is bitter sweet; who make darkness light and light darkness. Isaiah 5:20 The Saint ordered her body to be composed and given burial, taking pity on human nature; for he was supremely clement and compassionate.
[91] All who heard what had happened were greatly amazed—not only those of our faith but also strangers. Those who were with her—the two men and the women—and all who had been corrupted by her, running, fell at the feet of the most blessed Bishop, saying: We have erred, and they sought repentance. The Blessed One made them all anathematize Manes, the author of their heresy—from whom they were also called Manichaeans—and after instructing them in catechesis for many days, he brought them to the holy Catholic Church. And on the occasion of those, others also from other nations, led by repentance, were illuminated.
[92] After a period of five years, the work of the great holy church was completed. It was called the Eudoxiana, from the name of the eminently pious Empress Eudoxia. The most holy Bishop Porphyrius performed the dedication on the day of the Resurrection of the holy Easter, splendidly and magnificently, sparing no expense; but assembling all the monks who were about a thousand, together with other devout Clerics and laymen and Bishops, he spent all the days of the holy Easter joyfully. One could see angelic choirs, not only in the Ecclesiastical order of service but also in the Hours, when they were celebrated. For there was not only a table for the senses but also a spiritual one. For after the food, a psalm was recited, and after the drink, a hymn. The worshippers of idols, seeing what was happening, wasted away in their hearts. For guests came from every direction to see the beauty and grandeur of the said holy church. For it was said to be larger than all the churches that existed at that time.
[93] For this reason, when he first laid the foundations, he was criticized by certain of the faithful for having drawn up the plan so large, when there were few Christians in the city. The most holy Porphyrius answered and said: Let your faith not be small. For I hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that he will multiply his flock and make this house too small to contain the multitude of Christians. For the doctrine of Christians is not a human one, to be looked at for a time and then dissolved; but divine, and one that receives increase. These and similar things Blessed Porphyrius always discoursed to the faithful, not only in the church but also in every place, illuminating and helping the Christ-loving people. After the feast days, he dismissed the peoples in peace, each to their own homes.
[94] After he had built and sanctified the said holy church, he arranged that each guest in the city should be given one day's provisions. He also provided each beggar, both foreign and citizen, six obols daily, in addition to what he himself personally gave to those who came to him—in clothing, silver, and gold—providing each one according to his dignity, and none of those in need was without his gifts. During the days of the fast of the holy Paschal season, he provided each poor person ten obols for forty days. He also ordered in his pious will that the said ten obols absolutely be given for forty days; and having designated the revenue from which he wished them to be given, he stipulated in the said will that, unless these were provided annually, the said revenue should go to the holy Church of Caesarea. These things, however, were done afterward.
CHAPTER XII
The persecution of the Gentiles against the Christians and St. Porphyrius; his death. The conversion and holy life of the Virgin Salaphtha.
[95] The worshippers of idols, the more they saw the Christians progressing, the more they raged and strove to afflict the Christians, and before all, their holy Pastor Porphyrius. For when once a dispute about lands arose between the Steward of the holy Church and Sampsychus, who was the chief among the idolaters, the pious Barochas, seeing the Steward suffering injustice, defended him and began to heap insults upon the said Sampsychus. When the remaining Curials heard this, they gathered and attacked the Steward and the pious Barochas. Together with the Curials, many of the citizens also rose up, having found an occasion to mistreat the faithful; and from a small spark, as one might say, so great a fire was kindled that all the Christians came into danger of perishing. For the idolaters were so enraged that they themselves took swords and clubs, killed seven men, and wounded many others.
[96] Then, not content with this, they attacked the Pastor himself. Certain persons, however, who rejoiced in good, running ahead, informed the most holy Bishop of the onset of the crowd. When the Blessed One heard, he summoned me and said: Let us flee, brother, and hide ourselves a little until the wrath of the Lord passes. Having climbed the walls, we fled over the rooftops. The idolaters, having broken the gates of the episcopal house, entered; and not finding St. Porphyrius, they plundered everything found there.
[97] I and Blessed Porphyrius, fleeing over the rooftops, found a girl about fourteen years old. When she recognized the holy Bishop, she fell at his feet. The Blessed One asked her who she was and of what parents she was born. The girl answered, saying that she was an orphan, without father or mother, and had a grandmother who was an old woman, weak in body; and that she worked and supported herself and her grandmother. He asked whether she was a Christian. She said again that she was not, but had long desired to be, if she were worthy. The compassionate Porphyrius, when he heard what the girl said and was moved with compunction, wept, saying: How inclined the race of the Gazaeans is toward good! But the adversary strives to hinder their good disposition, whom the Lord will strike with the word of his mouth. He said to the girl: Bring us here a mat on this rooftop, so that we may stay here until the tumult of the city subsides; and do not tell anyone that we are here. She affirmed with an oath that she would not reveal it even to her grandmother.
[98] Having climbed through a certain rooftop into her house, she brought a mat and spread it out; and falling at the feet of the blessed man, she asked him to eat of her modest food and not to disdain her poverty, for it was about evening. The Saint, wishing to imitate the great Prophet Elijah, said to the girl: Make haste, daughter, and bring it, so that the Lord may give you through me spiritual and bodily nourishment. She quickly went down, bought bread, olives, cheese, and soaked legumes, brought everything, and set it before us, saying: Accept, my lords, and bless my poverty. The Blessed One, again moved with compunction, wept, foreseeing that she would have faith in Christ. When we had risen and said the customary prayers and sat down, we ate. I ate cheese and drank wine; the Saint ate bread and soaked legumes and drank water. Having dismissed the girl to her grandmother, we slept on the rooftop, for it was summer. We also asked the girl's name. She said it was Salaphtha, which means in Greek Irene, that is, Peace. We also spent the following day on that rooftop, with the good Irene caring for us with a prompt and willing spirit.
[99] After we learned that the tumult of the city had subsided, we walked at night to the holy church. Having gone up to the episcopal residence, we found nothing there except the pious Barochas lying there, brought to extreme danger from the blows inflicted on him by the impious idolaters. A few days later, when the Proconsul—who was called Clarus—learned what had happened in the city, he sent a court officer with a large force, imprisoned those whom the civic officials pointed out, and brought them to Caesarea. He punished some, and dismissed others after having them beaten with ox-hide straps; and having inspired no small fear, he thus pacified the city.
[100] A few days later, St. Porphyrius remembered that good girl who had received us, and summoned her through me. She came running, bringing also another woman whom she said was her aunt. Having entered the presence of the blessed Bishop, they fell at his feet. He received them kindly, like a benevolent father. He said to the girl: Do you truly desire, daughter, to become a Christian? She replied: I have already told you, Lord, that I have long been held by this desire; and now I have brought as witness my aunt, who herself is also held by the same desire. He, rejoicing, ordered that four silver coins be given daily to her and her grandmother; to her aunt he gave one coin. Having signed them with the sign of the Cross, he dismissed them, commanding them to devote themselves to prayers and to catechetical instruction. He also sent the pious Priest Timothy as catechist to her house and ordered him to sign the girl's grandmother. For, as I said before, she had a weak and infirm body. Those three, having been instructed by catechesis, were shortly afterward deemed worthy of the venerable baptism.
[101] After the Saint had laid aside the holy vestment, he summoned the girl and said to her: Do you wish us to join you to a man in lawful marriage? For it is time for you to marry. For our Scripture does not forbid honorable marriages. But the girl, when she heard what the holy man said, began to weep and say: Good Father, after you have joined me to a great husband, do you wish to separate me from him and give me to a humble and worthless husband? By no means do this, my Lord. The Saint, amazed, said to her: And who is he to whom I joined you? She replied: Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, my true spouse, from whom I will not be separated for eternity. When the Saint heard this and was moved with compunction, he wept, so that from great compunction he embraced the girl and kissed her head. For he was truly beyond all passion and, from his great inclination to mercy, quick to shed tears. Moreover, we too, who were with him, when we saw the grace of the Holy Spirit given to the pious girl, glorified God, who gives wisdom and grace to his elect. He dismissed the girl that day.
[102] It happened in those same days that the grandmother passed away and migrated to the Lord. Then, having summoned the girl, the Blessed One called the pious Deaconess Manaridis, whose name itself means in Greek φωτεινή, that is, luminous. He entrusted Salaphtha to her, giving her the religious habit himself. Having commended them to God, he dismissed them in peace. She adopted such a way of life as no other woman had at that time: fasting daily, and after the fast eating a little bread with salt and soaked legumes, or finely chopped vegetables with water alone, for she took no wine at all. On feast days she used oil and ate olives, but tasted nothing else that had been cooked with fire. During the fasts of Lent, she ate every other day soaked legumes or chopped vegetables without bread. She spent the entire holy Paschal week taking nothing, except on Holy Thursday, after Holy Communion, some warm water. She had so wasted her body that those who saw her thought they were seeing a shadow. She was also an example to many others. For they emulated the life of the holy girl Salaphtha, who to this day appears to live. For she is dead to the world but lives for Christ, and is with him perpetually. May we be partakers of her holy prayers. And let these things be said about the holy girl Salaphtha.
[103] The most blessed Bishop Porphyrius, having established the Ecclesiastical rule and the entire order of service, survived a few more years after he had sanctified the holy church. Falling ill, he made a pious will, in which, after bequeathing much and commending all the Christ-loving people to God, he fell asleep in peace with the Saints, on the second day of the month Dystrus, in the year—according to the Gazaean reckoning—four hundred and eightieth, of the episcopate he had held the twenty-fourth year and eleventh month, having completed his splendid contest against the idolaters up to the day of his falling asleep. And now he is in the paradise of delights, interceding for us with all the Saints, through whose prayers the Father and God will have mercy on us, with the Son and the Holy Spirit; to whom be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
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