fully explored, that he is conscious of nothing within himself, as the blessed Apostle teaches us when he says: "But I do not even judge myself; for I am conscious of nothing in myself, but I am not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord" (I Cor. iv, 4). For unless, as is fitting, we have confessed, we shall find in ourselves some fear lurking at the time of our departure. Therefore, it is necessary to pray, we who love the Lord, that we may then be outside of all fear; for he who is in fear at that time will not pass through the dark powers freely and confidently, for they have the very fear of the soul as an assistant to their malice. But the soul which, in its love for God, exults at the hour of death, will ascend above all the ranks of demons with the angels of peace A in spiritual charity, as one that carries with it the full completeness of the law, namely charity itself. Therefore, at the coming of the Lord, they who have departed from this life with such confidence will be caught up with all the saints; but those who at the time of death have feared even for a little, will be left behind in the multitude of all the other men, as if undergoing judgment, so that, having been examined by the fire of judgment, they may receive the lots owed to them in proportion to their deeds from the good God and King Jesus Christ, since He is the God of justice, and His are the riches of kindness forever toward us who love Him. Amen.
MARCUS THE DEACON
THE LIFE OF ST. PORPHYRIUS, BISHOP OF GAZA.
Translated by Gentianus Hervetus.PROLOGUE.
I. It is beautiful to contemplate with one's own eyes the struggles of holy men, and their divine zeal and desire: for when they are seen, they become worthy of being loved. Moreover, the narratives about them, made by those who know accurately, bring no small utility as they enter the minds of the hearers. Sight is indeed more trustworthy than hearing; but hearing also persuades, if the things that are told are said by those worthy of belief. And if a narrative of useful things were of such a nature that neither negligence nor malice could have power over it, and that falsehoods were not inserted into the truth, it would be superfluous to write these things down, since the truth itself would suffice for edification, which will always be handed down through succession to the ears of posterity. But since time corrupts and destroys, whether through forgetfulness or through malice and negligence, I have necessarily approached this present writing, lest in the passage of time this holy man, I say, this holy Porphyrius, should be consigned to oblivion. For to remember the things rightly and virtuously done by him brings a helpful medicine to those who hear.
II. It is truly absurd for tragic poets and others of that kind to consume their discourse in ridiculous and old-wives' tales; while we, on the other hand, despise holy men, and leave those worthy of being consigned to memory to be passed over to oblivion. What punishments, therefore, shall I not deserve if I do not commit to writing the life of this pious man: a life, I say, B as a mistress of philosophy, of him who has emulated the life which is in heaven, and who has waged war and fought, not only against the leaders and defenders of the insane worship of idols, but even against the entire population, full of every insanity? For he remembered those things which were said by the blessed Apostle: "Take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect" (Eph. vi, 13). Clothed in this armour, the aforementioned Apostle descended to the struggles. But although Porphyrius had such and so many adversaries, he who had a struggle similar to the Apostle's, nevertheless achieved a victory equal to his, and in the middle of Gaza erected a trophy, namely in the holy church of Christ which had been founded by him. Moreover, it was not human nature that provided him with the victory, but a mind that drew down divine grace. For having been a most ardent lover of Christ, he endured to suffer and to do all things. How many assaults of wars did he receive from the adversaries! How many conspiracies and mockeries did he endure!
III. But because it is not possible, concerning a man of such renown, to say everything, as they are many and seen as incredible by many, I shall set forth a few things that I remember, since I have lived with him for a long time and have received lasting fruit from that blessed and stupendous soul, which now dwells with the angels. Whom, then, since he has been endowed with every kind of virtue, would one not rightly praise? And we know indeed that his
to attain virtue no speech is sufficient: it is to my own... in those things, I was with him for a long time, sustaining myself with the work of my hands: for they were skilled in the art of beautiful writing. Seeing the holy one constantly going to the Resurrection of Christ and to other oratories, I marveled that in such bodily feebleness, he did not hesitate to torment himself so. One day, however, when I met him on the steps of the Martyrion, A which had been built by the Emperor Constantine, and I saw he was unable to proceed, I ran to him and held out my hand, and begged him to lean on it and ascend the steps. But he did not want to, saying: "It is not just that I, who go to seek forgiveness for my sins, should lean on the hand of another. But let God see my labor, so that in His ineffable clemency He may have mercy on me also." He went, therefore, and attended the divine readings, lending his ears to the teachers, and always participating in the mystical banquet: then he would return B to his cell; and as for what kind of life he led, it was manifest. He despised illness to such a degree that he imagined himself to have a malady in a foreign body: for the hope of God sustained him.
VI. Yet this one thing troubled him and caused him pain: that his resources remained, and he had not yet done what the Gospel says, "sell what you have and distribute to the poor." The cause of this impediment was that he was a boy when he left his country. Being distressed at this, he asked me, who was already familiar to him (for I was serving him on account of his infirmity), to sail to Thessalonica C and divide his resources with his brothers. And when he had entrusted me with a written mandate and commended me to the Lord, he dismissed me, having provided me with ample expenses: for indeed he had no shortage of resources. Then, having arrived at Ascalon and found a ship, I sailed from there; and within thirteen days of sailing, we reached Thessalonica: having shown what I had in writing, I divided the goods with his brothers. I sold what had fallen to me as possessions for a thousand gold pieces. I took the garments and the silver with me, and since I had gathered all the other four hundred gold pieces; after three months I sailed back. When, within a space of twelve days I had come D to the emporium of Ascalon, and had hired pack animals there and brought them to the holy city. When the most blessed man saw me, he embraced me with joy and tears (can one express joy with tears?); I myself did not recognize him: for he had a very honest body, and a ruddy face; yet I returned my eyes, often looking at him.
CHAPTER I. The anachoretic and private life of S. Porphyrius in sickness and on pilgrimages.
IV. Gaza is a city of Palestine on the border of Egypt; it is not, however, an obscure city, but one populous and distinguished. At that time, the madness of men in worshipping idols flourished there. The one who is praised by us, Porphyrius, accepted its priesthood: he, who had indeed a heavenly country (Jerusalem—for he was inscribed there), but a terrestrial one, Thessalonica. Truly, his lineage was distinguished. But divine love came upon him to leave his country and the splendor of his birth and infinite wealth, and lead a monastic life. And when he had sailed to Thessalonica, he came into Egypt. Having proceeded directly to Scetis, and after a few days he was deemed worthy of being dressed in the venerable habit. And when he had been there for five years with the holy Fathers, another divine love came upon him to worship the holy and venerable places of God. When he had been there and worshipped, he went away into the parts of the Jordan, and resided in a cave. When he had been there for five years in much affliction, by reason of the great dryness and the inequality of those places, he fell into a great malady. Seeing that he was driven to the extreme of danger, by Providence a certain one of his acquaintances approached, so that he might lead him to Jerusalem. The malady was a hardening of the liver, with a continuous, very faint fever. This malady also troubled him, and incessantly pricking his intestines, and as he was wasting away, he himself did not cease to visit the holy places daily, hunched and being unable to walk with an upright body, but leaning on a staff.
V. It happened at that time that I was sailing from Asia to worship at the holy places. And when...
eyes, frequently looking at him. A A dispute, not in the simulation of truth; for there was no guile in him; he was most moderate, so that he had attained perfect impassibility; he was a stranger to anger, not remembering received injury, not letting the sun go down upon his wrath, having deadened all the perturbations of the soul, except for the wrath he directed against the enemies of the faith.
VII. But when he had noticed me and smiled, he said placidly: "Do not marvel, brother Mark, at seeing me healthy and robust, but learn the cause of this health, and then marvel at the ineffable kindness of Christ, and how that which is clearly desperate to men can be easily corrected by Him." I asked him to tell me the cause of his health, and how he had repelled such a disease. He answered me: "Forty days ago, when I was at the vigil of the Lord's Day, pain seized me; and as I could not bear it, I went and lay down near the holy Calvary, and while I was, as it were, in a trance from the great pain, I saw the Savior nailed to the cross with nails, and one of the thieves hanging with Him on another cross; and I began to cry out and say the voice of the thief: *Remember me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom*. B Responding, the Savior said to the thief hanging there: 'Descend from the cross, and save him who is lying down, even as you also were saved.' The thief, descending from the cross, embraced and kissed me, and extending his right hand, made me rise, saying: 'Come to the Savior.' And I immediately arose and ran to Him; and I saw Him descend from the cross and say to me: 'Take this wood, and keep it.' And when I had received and carried this precious wood, I immediately returned to myself from the trance; and from that hour no pain was mine any longer, nor did the place of the disease appear."
VIII. But I, having heard these things, was greatly amazed, and I glorified God; and from that time on I was more attached to the man, and I served him more diligently. Indeed, when I had counted back the money to the servant of God, and had returned to him everything I had brought, I remained with him, serving him, and enjoying his spiritual prayers. He was truly beyond any reproach, most mild, merciful, having also a faculty for discerning the divine Scripture, and resolving those doubts that occurred in it, if any other did. But neither was he ignorant of external learning, answering and stopping the mouths of unbelieving men, and those who do not have the right faith. A lover of the poor, merciful, having ready tears; honoring the old as fathers, the juniors as brothers, the boys as sons; C mild and humble in habits and in speech.
IX. But when he had received from me the money and the other things I had brought, and had sold his garments, and had collected much money, in a short time he gave all the rest of his precious furniture to the needy, not only in the holy city, but also in other cities, villages, and monasteries, and especially those which were in Egypt: for there were very needy monasteries there. Furthermore, he was a second Abraham to the guests who stayed there. Wherefore in a very short time he distributed all his property, so that he himself lacked daily food. He therefore gave himself to the art of a leather-worker, washing and sewing skins, and in all things imitating that divine Apostle who did not want to eat bread for free; and although he could have sought sustenance for himself from other handiwork, he nevertheless wished in all things to be an imitator of that illustrious man whom we have described, in afflictions, and labors, and persecutions, and perils of the sea, and in the insurrections of the Gentiles. But I was asking him to lead a common life with me: for I had an overflowing abundance of life's necessities from my own means. But he did not sustain this, saying: *We brought nothing into the world, nor can we carry anything out*; and again he said: *If anyone does not work, neither let him eat*. I, however, speaking freely with him, said: "Why, therefore, when you were rich, did you not work, nor allow me to work?" He answered me: "What I was doing before was in many parts greater than what I am doing now. For this now indeed feeds one or two; but that former work fed innumerable people. And not only did he feed that multitude, but he also supplied spiritual food to my soul."
CHAPTER II.
The Priesthood of St. Porphyry; the Bishopric of Gaza.
X. When these things were so, D and Praylius had heard of the name and life of Saint Porphyry, who was the priest of the holy places, he summoned him and ordained him presbyter against his will. Furthermore—
he entrusted him with the custody of the venerable wood of the Cross. Then, commanding him not to stay there for more than seven days, he dismissed him. We learned that what had happened to him was what he had seen in his ecstasy, when he had in fact seen the Lord on the Cross, and with Him the thief; and the Lord saying: "Take this wood and keep it for Me." Now the blessed Porphyry was about forty years old when he received his ordination. Having attained this honor, he did not change his former habits, but remained in that same affliction of ascetic struggle. His food was coarse bread and vegetables, and that only after sunset; on other holy days he would eat at the sixth hour, taking oil and cheese and softened legumes. He would also take one cup of diluted wine; and this was because his stomach was unwell. This manner of living and rule he kept constantly for the whole time of his life.
XI. Three years after he had been ordained, it happened that the bishop of the aforementioned city of Gaza departed this life. He was Aeneas, who had held the episcopacy for a very short time: before Aeneas, however, was Irenion, who himself was also a citizen of the heavenly powers, whose praises cannot be written in a digression; B but it would require a separate work to record the Life of this said illustrious Irenion. We leave that to other writers who know his life accurately. When, therefore, that holy man had fallen asleep, the Christians who were then present, very few in number, gathered with their clergy and consulted openly as to whom they should entrust with the episcopacy, and they accomplished nothing, as a contention had arisen among them; for the clergy wanted one person, the laity another: for there were, in truth, some among the clergy adorned with an honest life. Since there was great confusion, therefore, and nothing was being brought to effect, at length it seemed best that five clergy and as many distinguished laymen should go to the metropolitan pontiff, and ask from him a bishop whom the Holy Spirit would reveal to him.
XII. The office of the pontificate was then held by John, who was also himself an upright man, adorned with every virtue. When, therefore, the Gazaeans had approached him, they asked him to give them a pontiff, powerful in deed and word to resist the idolaters. When he heard this, he immediately proclaimed a fast; and after three days the Lord revealed to him concerning the blessed Porphyry: and he wrote a letter to the holy Praylius, bishop C of Jerusalem, whom we mentioned earlier, that he should send the blessed Porphyry to him, on account of a certain question of Scripture which needed to be solved by him. For the blessed Porphyry was capable of solving whatever was difficult in the Holy Spirit’s Scripture. The pious Praylius, believing the letters of the blessed John, dismissed him.
XIII. But when the blessed Porphyry had heard the force of what had been written by the most holy John, he was first troubled, but afterwards said: "The will of God be done." And when that evening he had summoned me, he said to me: "Brother Mark, let us go and adore the holy places and the venerable Cross. For much time is to pass before we are to adore them again." I however said: "Why do you say so, Father?" He, however, answering, said: "Last night I saw the Savior saying to me: 'Give back the deposit which I deposited with you. For I wish to unite you to a wife, humble indeed and lowly, but endowed with good character. You, however, once you have received her, adorn her so that she may forget her former poverty. For although she is lowly and humble, she is not strange, but my own sister. You, however, take care that, having a wife and managing the care of a house, you do not gather wealth from injustice or violence or iniquity; D for you will both provoke Me to wrath, and you will afflict her with trouble: for these things are displeasing to her as well. But be only of a good and ready mind, and all things will be provided for you, from where you do not expect.' These things the Lord Christ signified to me the past night; and I fear that while I wish to expiate my sins, I may also expiate the sins of many others. But nevertheless, one must not resist the will of God."
XIV. When he had said these things, he departed, and I with him; and when we had adored the holy places and the venerable Cross, and he had prayed and wept much, he replaced the venerable and life-giving Cross in the golden casket: and when he had safely closed it, he went out, and going to the blessed bishop Praylius, he handed over the keys to him; and when he had received prayers, and had been commended to God by him, he went out. When we had come to our dwelling, we prepared ourselves; and having hired three pack animals and received provisions, we set out. The provisions, however, were everything that we had at home. We were five on the journey, the blessed man himself and I, and two muleteers, and another young minister by the name of Barochas; whom the blessed man had found shortly before, abandoned in the street, when he was in extreme danger, and he had accepted him and taken him in: and when he had spent much upon him, with God’s help he restored him to health. From that time on, therefore, he remained with him, serving me. Of the pious Barochas, however, I will speak as the narrative proceeds. We began the journey on that day, and on the following one we arrived at Caesarea. Throughout the whole city it was spread that he had arrived: for the blessed man was of great name, because he loved the poor. We went to the lodging that was there.
XV. But when the blessed John had heard...
archbishop came to us with speed. A And when they had greeted one another and prayed, they sat down for a little while. The archbishop said to him: Rise, brother, for the Lord’s sake, and eat with me, that we may quickly rise for the vigil of the Lord’s Day: for we have arrived on the eve of the Sabbath. But blessed Porphyrius asked him to grant him the evening on account of the weariness of the journey. He said, however, that he would arise after the first sleep for the vigil. But when he could not persuade the bishop, the blessed man arose and proceeded with him, taking me also. For we had left brother Barochas at the hospice near our baggage; and having been invited by him, we dined. But when we had spoken much of spiritual things, and had slept little, we rose for the vigil.
XVI. That night blessed John summoned the Gazaeans and said to them: Be prepared for departure: for today you shall receive a priest, the man whom the Lord has shown. But when morning had come, they seized blessed Porphyrius and ordained him bishop of Gaza. He wept a great deal, nor was there any satiety of his tears. For he said that he was unworthy of such a priesthood. But at length, when the Gazaeans and those Christians who were found there had consoled him, he became quiet. But when we had celebrated the holy ministry of the Lord’s Day, we were again invited to dine with the archbishop.
XVII. He ordered us to depart as soon as possible: and when we had spent one other day there, we departed: we slept at Diospolis; and from there, when we had passed the night, we entered Gaza late in the evening, very weary and afflicted. But this was the cause of the affliction. Near Gaza there are villages on the road that are devoted to the worship of idols. The inhabitants of these had deliberately covered the whole road with thorns and brambles, so that no one could pass. They poured out mud, and wafted other foul-smelling vapors, so that we were suffocated by the stench, and came into danger, lest we should lose our sight. Scarcely saved, we entered the city around the hour of the night. But this difficulty and distress happened to the blessed man by the devil’s suggestion. Yet he did not bear it with vexation; for he thought that the devil had prepared these snares because he wished to avert a just man from his entry.
XVIII. We proceeded, however, to the house of the bishop which the previously named holy bishop Irenion had built, together with the holy church which is called B Irenes: but they say that this name has two meanings. For the Gazaeans say that when the city was taken by Alexander the Macedonian, by a certain sign given there the war ceased; and from that time the place was called Irene, which is peace. When the blessed Irenion found this place to be honored by the Gazaeans, he built a church in it. Therefore, whether on account of the things previously said, or on account of the name of the founder, it has remained so called to this very day. We therefore proceeded to the small house of the bishop, built by him.
CAPUT III
Rain obtained by the prayers of S. Porphyrius. The wound inflicted on Barochas.
XIX. It happened, however, that in that year there was drought and a lack of rain. But all the citizens attributed this to the entry of blessed Porphyrius, saying: Marna gave us the answer that Porphyrius would be the author of evils for the city. But when God continued not to rain in the first month which is called by them Dios, then also in the second which is called Epilleos, all were afflicted. The idolaters having gathered in the Marneion, performed many sacrifices and many prayers for that cause. For they said that Marna was the lord of rains: but they say that Marna is Jupiter. But when they had persevered for seven days, saying hymns, and going outside the city to the place which is called C of Prayer, becoming despondent, they returned to their own works, with nothing achieved. These things being done, the Christians gathered with men and women and children, two hundred and eighty in number, and asked holy Porphyrius that he would go out with them and pray that rain might be sent down; for there was already famine; and this all the more, because they attributed the drought to the blessed man’s entry.
XX. The holy man being persuaded, when he had proclaimed a fast, ordered all to be gathered in the evening in the holy church, so that we might pass the vigils there. We performed thirty prayers and as many genuflections the whole night, besides the choirs and readings. But when it was morning, having taken the sign of the venerable cross which preceded us, we went out with hymns to the ancient church which is on the western part of the city, which they say the most holy and blessed bishop Asclepas built, who endured many afflictions for the orthodox faith: whose life and deeds are written in the paradise of delights. When, therefore, we were in the said church, there also D we poured forth as many prayers, and from there having departed,
we went to the holy martyrdom of the glorious martyr Timothy 16, in which are also deposited other relics of the martyr Meuris and of Thea, who is reckoned in the number of confessors. When we had there offered the same number of prayers and genuflections, we returned to the city, having performed three prayers and three genuflections. But when we were near the city, we found it closed; for it was the ninth hour. The idolaters had done this, wishing to disperse the people so that we would not complete the supplications. But when we had remained two hours before the gate, and there was no one who would open it, God, seeing the patience of the people and their weeping and unspeakable tears—especially those of the holy man—being moved with pity, just as in the time of the great prophet Elijah, stirs up a south wind, and the sky is covered with clouds, and lightning and thunder begin to occur as soon as the sun had set; and a heavy rain fell, such that they were considered not drops, but hail cast down from heaven. We, however, because of our great joy, almost did not feel it, for we were embracing one another.
[XXI.] Certain of the gentiles, when they had observed the miracles which God had wrought for us, and had believed, opened the gate for us, and were mingled with us, crying: "Christ is the only God: He alone has conquered." They gathered with us into the holy church, and from there the blessed one dismissed them in peace, having signed them with the sign of Christ. There were indeed men, one hundred and twenty-seven in number, and women thirty-five, and infants fourteen, among whom were five girls. We, however, when we had rendered perfect thanksgiving, departed each to his own home with joy and peace. But so much rain descended that night and the next day that everyone feared lest the houses collapse, of which many were built of mud bricks. But our Lord Jesus Christ rained incessantly from the eighth of Lydenaeus until the tenth. Now, among them, Lydenaeus is January for the Romans. Their months precede the Romans' by five days. On the eleventh day, we celebrated the day of the Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ 17, praising with joy and giving thanks to Him for all that His kindness had wrought for us. There joined the flock of Christ that same year, besides those one hundred and twenty-seven, another one hundred and ten. But other idolaters did not cease to lie in wait for the blessed one and the other Christians. For when a gentile governor fell to them—whether corrupted by money or persuaded by their impious religion—they would induce him to harass the Christians; and from that time, no light affliction came upon the blessed Porphyry. Therefore, he assiduously prayed by night and by day to the benign and merciful God that He would turn them from their error to His truth.
[XXII.] But since I mentioned the blessed Barochas above, I will narrate the rest concerning him. He had a divine zeal, as did no other: for he endured many grievous things from the idolaters. For when he had gone one time into a village on account of an ecclesiastical tax 18, not far from the city (he who owed the tax was an idolater), and when the tax was being exacted from him by him, and he wished to drag out and defer the matter, and from this a contention arose between them, the impious farmer summoned certain men of that village like himself, and they began to beat the blessed Barochas with clubs, and carrying him half-dead, they threw him outside the village into the wilderness; there he lay mute and bereft of all sense. On the other day, however, by the kindness of God, the deacon Cornelius passed by that place with two other Christians; and when they had found the pious Barochas, and had recognized him, they carried him into the city.
[XXIII.] But when the idolaters had seen him being carried, thinking him to be dead, they turned into a fury 19, for the reason that they thought it an abomination to carry a corpse into the city; and when they had forcibly 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 the blessed Barochas, they dragged him. Meanwhile, certain brothers reported this to the blessed bishop. He, however, being troubled, summoned me and three other brothers who were found with him, and said to us: "Run confidently, O brothers: for it is the time of martyrdom." But when we arrived at the place where they had bound the blessed one, the people gathered; and some were visiting the most holy bishop with insults, others, however, seeing his endurance, and that, when he was being afflicted with insults, he was not angered, but prayed for everyone, saying that they should not thus visit with reproaches and insults a body which is subject to the same affections, they became of our party, and were turned against one another to the point of blows. We, however, when we had seen the great confusion, carrying the pious Barochas, departed into the holy church.
XXIV. After we saw him still breathing, we took care of him. Because of this, intense prayers were offered throughout the evening and night; for all the brethren had gathered together. The holy bishop did not cease to weep and to pray to God for him, for he knew what kind of divine zeal he had. But when God had seen the tears of the holy pontiff and the prayers of the people (for they counted him, according to Phineas, against the idolaters), He accelerated His mercy; and that night he opened his eyes and began to speak and to ask for drink to be given to him. I, who was sitting by him, immediately ran to report it to the blessed bishop: for from great joy I had forgotten to give him drink; and it happened to me just as it did to the handmaid in the time of the blessed Peter, when, having heard his voice, for joy she did not open the door, but B leaving him, she first announced it to those who were in the house; I too suffered such a thing. But when the blessed bishop heard it, he was not overcome by human affection, but persevered in prayer. When we understood his firmness and constancy, intending to leave him, I and the pious deacon Cornelius withdrew; for pious Barochas was sitting with me by the blessed one. But after the most holy bishop had completed his prayers and all their consequences, he himself also, sitting with us, asked pious Barochas how he had suffered that from the beginning. And he told us everything.
XXV. While we were consulting about what should be done, morning came; and behold, the defender of the people, with the Irenarchs and two leading men, Timothy and Epiphanius, and many others, came and began to shout and to tumult, saying: "Why have you brought a dead man into the city, when the laws of the fatherland forbid this?" Meanwhile, they were also heaping 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. But C when we had called those who were from the people to bear witness, the most holy bishop obstructed our mouths, begging and admonishing each one that they should not be angry so inconsiderately. Yet those impious ones, the more they were entreated, the more they raged, and they continued to insult the holy man. Therefore, as they continued to tumult, pious Barochas was confirmed and strengthened, and being filled with divine zeal, he rose and seized a club, and began to strike those who were attacking; and fear overcame them, and they began to fall D one upon another, fleeing, and he pursued them as far as what was then the Marneion; and our new Samson returned with a great victory, having himself also laid low a thousand of the aliens. From that time on, the idolaters feared him, and they could not even bear to hear his name. But a short time later, we were found worthy of the order of the diaconate, I and pious Barochas—I, truly unworthy to attain it; but he, truly by most deserving right, having attained it.
CHAPTER IV.
*The edict of the emperor closes the temples of the idols. A young girl is helped by the aid of St. Porphyrius. The conversion of the infidels.*XXVI. Our holy Father Porphyrius, seeing the nefarious things which were daily committed by the idolaters, decided to send me to Byzantium, that I might ask the emperors that the temples of the idols be destroyed; for at Gaza it was still highly celebrated, that which is called the Marneion. And with letters written to the most holy bishop of Constantinople, whose praise and glory is remembered by all, we sailed, and in the space of twenty days we arrived there; and having delivered the letters to the blessed John, I taught him everything by word of mouth. But as soon as he had heard, he signified it to Eutropius the chamberlain, who was then assiduous in his attendance upon the Emperor Arcadius. And when he had read to him the letters of the blessed bishop, and had asked of him that he would concur with the letters; having received promises from him, he went out, and said to me: "Be of quiet mind, O son. For I hope in the Lord Christ, that He will work His mercy, as He is wont to do." I, however, did not cease to admonish him daily; but he was sending and urging Eutropius. Seven days later, the edict of the emperor was announced, that the temples of the Gazaean city should be closed, and that they should no longer be consulted. This command was delivered into the hands of a certain Hilarius, a man of the master of offices.
XXVII. I, truly, three days later, left Byzantium, and in the space of ten days arrived in the city of the Gazaeans, preceding Hilarius by seven days. I found most holy Porphyrius ill. But after I delivered to him the response of the most blessed John, bishop of Constantinople, and he read it, affected by joy he recovered from the fever. He said, however, that he had fallen into illness from much affliction caused by the idolaters. Seven days later, the aforementioned came.
Hilarius, having two legal clerks and many assistants from Azotus and Ascalon and all the public ministers, immediately seized three of the leading men. Having received security from them, he showed them the divine edict which ordered that the temples of idols in the city of Gaza be closed, and after all the idols that were in them had been overturned, he closed them. He allowed the idol of Marnas, however, to be consulted in secret for a great sum of money that he received. Yet the idolaters continued to perform their impious acts as they were accustomed.
XXVIII. Now, another miracle happened which provoked many to come to the knowledge of the truth. For God, since He is kind and merciful, knows how to turn the human race to His light, which is perceived by the mind, through various occasions. The event was of this sort: A certain prominent woman in the city named Aelia, when she was about to give birth, fell into great danger. The cause of the danger was this: her fetus was not coming out according to nature, but had turned to a position contrary to nature; and when she had put forth one hand, the rest of the body could not be drawn out, for it was lying obliquely in the womb, nor could the midwives bring it to the position that is according to nature. The woman was being tortured with unspeakable pain, with the birth pains pressing upon her. The increase of pain was even greater when the second day had passed, and similarly the third day had brought even greater pain than the second. The pains increased until the seventh day, with the evil always receiving an addition. Indeed, her physicians even desired to cut out the fetus; but when they saw that her strength had failed, they abandoned all hope entirely. Therefore, her parents and her husband, Heros, although they were devoted to the superstition of demons, offered sacrifices for her daily. They also brought in enchanters and seers, thinking they would receive some benefit from them; but it availed nothing.
XXIX. Now, there was a faithful nurse to her who, being affected with the greatest distress of soul, poured out prayers for her in the houses of prayer. One day, therefore, as she was praying in the church with tears, Saint Porphyrius entered at about the ninth hour, and I also with him. He saw the woman, sad and praying to God with tears, and standing there, he asked her the cause. She, having looked at him, fell at his feet, begging him to pray to Christ on her behalf. After the saint had learned the cause from the woman, he himself also wept, for he was supremely merciful. He said to the nurse: "I hear that that house is devoted to the worship of idols, and that it can be saved with difficulty; yet God can do all things. For He preserves those who were about to perish through an occasion. Go therefore, and gather all the kinsmen and parents and the husband, and say to them: 'Since there is here a most excellent physician who can heal her, if he sees to it that she escapes this peril, what will you give him?' And you have entirely many things to promise him. Say to them this also: 'If he heals her, promise this to me as well, that you will not deceive him, nor will you go to another.' Make them all extend their hands to the heavens, and promise that they will do everything that they have promised. And when they have done these things, 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.'"
XXX. Now when the nurse had heard what the blessed bishop had said, and he had commended her to God, she ran home; and when she found everyone weeping and the woman in extreme danger, she asked her parents and husband not to be anxious in spirit. She said: "The best physician has sent me to you, so that you might promise me that if she is cured, you will not deny Him." But when her parents and husband heard this, they said: "If He should wish to take all our property, we will not refuse; let us only see our daughter alive." The nurse said: "Lift your hands to heaven, and give your pledge that you will not deny the physician." They, with eager spirit and with tears, extended their hands, saying: "For the whole time of our life we will be His. For what consolation shall we have if she should die? For she was an only child to us, and clever and elegant in her manners, if there is any other such." When the nurse had heard this, she said with a loud voice in the presence of all: "The great priest Porphyrius says: 'Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, may He heal you; believe in Him, and you will live.'" Immediately, with the woman having cried out greatly, she brought forth a living child.
XXXI. Now all who were found there were stupefied and exclaimed: "Great is the God of the Christians, great is the priest Porphyrius." On the day following, the parents of the woman and the husband and kinsmen and all those related, going to the blessed Porphyrius, fell at his feet, asking for the seal of Christ. And the blessed one, when he had sealed them and made them catechumens, dismissed them in peace, commanding them that they should attend the holy Church; and shortly after, when he had instructed them with catechesis, he baptized the infant also with the woman. He called his name Porphyrius. Those who were enlightened because of the occasion of the woman were sixty-four in number.
CAPUT V.
The journey of S. Porphyrius to Constantinople with the Archbishop of Caesarea. Things done at Rhodes with Procopius the anchorite, and at Constantinople with S. John Chrysostom and Amantius, the chamberlain of the Empress.XXXII. But the more the idolaters saw the Christians multiplying, the more they were enraged, and they did not allow them to perform civil offices; but they used them as bad slaves. Seeing again, however, the great injury that was being done to Christians, and not bearing it, but looking toward
their being subjected to insults and contumely, he set out from Caesarea to A the blessed Archbishop John, and asked him with tears to grant him some respite. For he said he could no longer suffer the grave and absurd things that were being done by the Gazaeans. But the blessed John, when he had heard this, asked him to bear it with an even and strong mind, and to retain his bishopric.
XXXIII. The most holy Porphyrius, answering him, said: "I adjure you before God, who is not visible, and our hope Jesus Christ, the Lord of all created things, and the adorable and life-giving Holy Spirit, do not despise my petition, lest the destruction of countless souls be required of us. But I ask you, Father, to sail with me to the royal city, that we may entreat the emperors, with the heavenly King assenting, to overturn the temples of the idols." The blessed John, answering him, said: "My son, the petition is indeed just, but the time is not suitable; for the winter change is now imminent." The blessed Porphyrius answered: "If God wills us to be and to convert the people of Gaza, He can also save us in winter. You, Father, trusting in His clemency and mercy, be willing; and our journey will succeed happily." The blessed John says B to him: "The will of Christ be done."
XXXIV. After the blessed John had promised him this, he wrote to me to come to Caesarea as soon as possible, and to bring with me three books and forty-three coins which remained to him from the revenue of the holy church. I, having received the letter, when I had taken the books and the coins, immediately set out; and when I had come to Caesarea, I found the most holy bishops prepared for sailing; and when after two days we had set sail, we sailed on the twenty-third of the month; and with the kindness of God our second navigation having been completed, in the space of ten days we arrived at the island of Rhodes. There was, however, at that time on the island, in a remote part of it, a certain monk named Procopius, who is now numbered among the angels. For he fell asleep five years from that time, having lived a life free from any stain, in fastings and vigils and the utmost poverty. He possessed also the gift of prophecy and the power of expelling demons. When we, as has been said, had arrived at Rhodes, and had heard of the life of the holy man, we deemed it necessary not to pass him by, but to enjoy his angelic company; and when we had asked where he had his monastery, we set out toward him, sailing in a skiff, and when we had arrived, we knocked at the door. Immediately he came out and opened to us himself, even though he had another disciple with him.
XXXV. C When he saw the most holy bishops, he fell to the ground and worshipped them. Then rising, he kissed me also and the pious deacon Eusebius, whom the holy John was taking with him. And when he had introduced us into the oratory, he withdrew, giving the prior place to the most blessed bishops, saying: "It is right for you, priests, to hold the prior place, but for me, who am humble and abject, and who have not attained to your ordination, to hold the posterior one." Then we recognized that the most holy Procopius was possessed of the power of discernment. For although he had never seen us, nor heard of us, he knew through the Spirit that they were bishops—the most blessed John and Porphyrius, I mean; and therefore he accorded them the honor of saying prayers in the first position. Then after the prayers we sat down; and when he had spoken to us much that was useful for the soul, he asked the reason for the labor of the journey undertaken. But the blessed Porphyrius told him everything about the Gazaeans: how great is their fury in worshipping idols, and how many evils Christians suffer from them; and that for this reason they are going up, that they may entreat the emperors to overturn the temples of the idols.
XXXVI. When the holy anchorite Procopius had heard this, he said: "Lord Jesus Christ, convert Thy servants from diabolical deceit to the illuminated faith." Then he says to the most holy bishops: "Do not be anxious in mind, O Fathers: for God, who knows the zeal of your faith, will direct your journey, and will grant all things which are on your hearts. Act, therefore, and I will give you those counsels which God has revealed to my humility. First, convene the most holy Bishop John, and with him pour out prayers to God, and explain the matter to him; and he himself is to advise you on those things which the Lord has revealed to him. For he cannot speak in the palace, because the Empress Eudoxia is angry with him. He D himself, therefore, will commend you to Amantius, the lady’s chamberlain, a pious man who holds priests in honor; he himself will introduce you to the empress, and when you have entered to her, she is going to receive you kindly. Explain to her, therefore, the whole matter, and wish her well, and leave. But in your second arrival to her, after you have admonished her of this matter, say to her: 'We hope in Christ the Son of God, that if you will be diligent in the present matter, He is about to give you a male child.' When she hears this, she is to be glad; for she is pregnant; and this is the ninth month since she conceived; and she is to do everything to render the matter accomplished for you, God assenting."
XXXVII. We, however, when we had heard what the holy man had said, and had believed the things which he had spoken, and he himself had commended us to God, we departed; and setting sail on that day, we sailed and after another ten days arrived at Byzantium; and having received hospitality, on the following day we went to the most holy Archbishop John. When he recognized who we were, he received us with great honor and respect. He asked us, however, for what reason we had sustained this labor of the journey, and we told him.
arrived. Upon recognizing us, he remembered that we had requested this of him by letter long before; and when he acknowledged me, he embraced me kindly. He asked us not to be troubled in spirit, but to place our hope in the mercy of God. He said to us: "For my part, I cannot speak with the emperor; for the empress has stirred him up against me because I rebuked her regarding a possession which she snatched up when she coveted it. But as for me, it is not a matter of concern that they are angry. They have injured themselves, not me. For even if they harm my body, they will only benefit my soul all the more; yet let us leave this to the mercy of God. As for our petition, if it seems good to the Lord, tomorrow I shall summon the eunuch Amantius, who is the empress’s eunuch who wields great power with her, and who is truly a servant of God. I will explain the matter to him, and he, God willing, will apply great effort." We, having received his promise and having been commended by him to God, went to our lodging.
XXXVIII. On the following day, we went to the saint and found the chamberlain Amantius with him; for he had taken care of our affair and, having been summoned, had been informed of our matter. After we had entered and Amantius recognized that we were the ones of whom he had been told, he rose and worshipped the most holy bishops, his face inclined toward the ground. When they learned who he was, they embraced and kissed him. Then the most holy bishop John instructed them to inform the chamberlain of their business by their own lips. The most holy Porphyry told him everything about the idolaters—how they freely and confidently perform their impious deeds, and how they afflict and harass the Christians. Upon hearing this, he wept, was filled with divine zeal, and said to them: "Do not be anxious, Fathers. For the Lord Christ will defend His own religion. Therefore pray, and I will speak with the Augusta, and I hope in the God of all that He will show His accustomed mercy. Tomorrow I shall bring you in to her, and she will be instructed by your own lips in what you desire; you will find her already informed about it by me." Having said this, he bade us farewell and departed. We, too, after having spoken much of spiritual things with the most holy archbishop John, and having been commended by him to God, departed.
CAPUT VI. Kind conversation of St. Porphyry with the empress. Birth of Theodosius the Younger.
XXXIX. On the following day, the chamberlain Amantius summoned us by two deans to go to the palace. We rose and hurried there; we found him waiting for us, and he took the two bishops and brought them in to the Augusta Eudoxia. When she saw them, she greeted them first, saying: "Bless me, Fathers." And they worshipped her. She was sitting upon a golden couch and said to them: "Forgive me, priests of Christ, because of the burden of the womb which presses 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 into the light what is in my womb, with God’s kindness." The most holy bishops, admiring such humility, said: "May He who blessed the womb of Sarah and Rebekah and Elizabeth, bless and give life to that which is in your womb."
XL. After they had spoken other spiritual words, she said: "I know why you have undertaken this labor of the journey; for the eunuch Amantius has already informed me. But if you also wish to inform me, bid me, Fathers." They spoke, and taught her everything pertaining to the idolaters: how they securely performed their impious deeds, and how they oppressed the Christians with their power, not allowing them to hold any public office, nor to cultivate their own lands, from which public taxes are paid to the imperial power. When the empress heard this, she said: "Do not be anxious, Fathers; for I hope in the Lord Christ, the Son of God, that I shall persuade the emperor to do what befits your holy faith, and that he will dismiss you from here having obtained your desire. Go, therefore, and refresh yourselves; for you are exhausted; and pray that God may bring help to my petition." When she had said this, she ordered money to be brought; and when she had received about three handfuls, she gave it to the most holy bishops, saying: "Accept this in the meantime for your expenses." The bishops, upon receiving it, having blessed her greatly, departed. As they were leaving, they distributed a large part of the money to the deans who were in charge of the gates, so that little remained with them.
XLI. When the emperor had come to her, the empress informed him of the bishops’ affair; she specifically requested that the temples of Gaza be overturned. But when the emperor heard this, he took it ill, saying: "I know that that city is dedicated to the worship of idols; but it is favorably disposed toward us in the payment of public taxes, which it indeed provides in great quantity. If, therefore, we suddenly pull down their temples, they will flee in fear, and we shall lose1230 so much revenue. D But if it seems good, let us afflict them little by little, by denying the idolaters dignities and other civil offices, and let us order their temples to be closed, so that they may no longer be used for worship. For when they have been afflicted and reduced to all manner of hardship, they will recognize the truth. For what remains, if it be done suddenly, is a heavy burden to those who are subject. When the empress heard this, she was affected with great grief; for she was keen and fervent in faith. To the emperor, however, she only replied: "The Lord is about to bring help to His servants."
A Hispani, who reigned at the same time as Gratian.
The Younger Theodosius, indeed, was born in the purple. Whence, even as soon as he was born, he was proclaimed emperor. There was great joy in the city; and certain men were sent through the cities to announce these things, and to distribute gifts and largesses. The empress, as soon as she had brought forth and had risen from the chamber of childbirth, sent Amantius to us, saying to us 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 abject as I am, that I may fulfill those things which I promised to you again, by the will of Christ Himself, through your holy prayers."
XLV. When seven days had passed since the childbirth, she summoned us, and met us at the door of the chamber, carrying the infant in purple. She bowed her head, saying: "Bless, Fathers, me and my son, whom the Lord has given through your holy prayers." She also handed over the infant so that they might sign him. The holy bishops signed both her and the infant with the sign of the cross; and when they had 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 decided to do concerning your petition?" My lord Porphyrius, however, answering, said: "Whatever you have decided, you have decided from God; for, in this night, it was revealed to my humility through a vision that I was at Gaza, and standing in the temple which is called Marnas there, and that your piety was handing me the Gospel and saying: 'Receive, read.' And when I had opened it, I found that place in which the Lord Christ says to Peter: *Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it* (Matt. xvi, 18). You, however, lady, answering, said: 'Peace be to you; be strong and valiant.' After these things, I was awakened; and from this, I am persuaded that the Son of God will bring help to your purpose. Tell us, therefore, lady, what you have decided."
XLVI. The empress answering, said: "If it pleases Christ, in a few days the infant will be deemed worthy,"
holy baptism. Go, therefore, and make your petition, and ask in it whatever you wish; and when the infant has emerged from the venerable baptism, hand the petition to him who will be carrying him; I, for my part, will instruct him in what he ought to do, and I hope in the Son of God that He will dispose of the whole matter according to the will of His clemency." We, having accepted these promises from her, and having blessed her and the infant greatly, departed, and as we went, we prepared the petition, setting down in the document not only the demolition of the idols, but also that privileges be granted to the holy Church and to the Christians, and that a revenue be provided; for the holy Church was poor.
CHAPTER VII. The Baptism of Theodosius the Younger. The destruction of the idols is obtained. Various gifts for St. Porphyry.
XLVII. When the days had passed, the day arrived on which the new emperor, Theodosius, was to be illuminated: the entire city was adorned and decorated with holosericum and gold and every kind of ornament, so that no person could describe the city's finery. Indeed, it was possible to behold the surging multitude of inhabitants, varied by a manifold and diverse class of garments. It is not within my powers to describe the splendor of that attire, but rather that of those who are practiced in speaking; I, however, will pass on to my present true account. When Theodosius the Younger had been baptized and had exited the church for the palace, it was permitted to see once again the virtue of those who were in charge of the multitude, and their resplendent robes: for they were all dressed in white, so that the multitude appeared to be covered with snow. The patricians, the illustrious, and every order of dignity and the military ranks preceded them, all carrying candles, so that they seemed like stars being beheld on earth. Near the infant who was being carried was the emperor Arcadius himself, wearing a countenance more joyful and bright than even the purple which he wore. One of the nobles was carrying the boy in a splendid robe. We truly marveled, seeing such glory. Saint Porphyry said to us: "If these things, which vanish shortly after, have such glory, how much more do the heavenly things, which are prepared for the saints, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have they ascended into the heart of man?" We stood in the vestibule of the holy church, holding also the petition.
XLVIII. When he had emerged from the baptism, we cried out, saying: "We beseech your piety," at the same time holding out the document. When he who was carrying the boy looked, and recognized our business (for he had previously learned of it from the Lady), he ordered the document to be taken from him, and when he had received it, he stopped. He ordered silence to be made, and when he had unrolled it, he read a part; and when he had folded it, A he placed his hand upon the child's head: and when he had bowed it down, he cried out before all: "His power has ordered these things to be done, which are in the petition." All, however, when they had looked on, were struck with wonder; and they worshipped the emperor, proclaiming him blessed, because he had been accounted worthy to see in his life his son reigning; and he rejoiced as he heard this. It was also announced to the empress Eudoxia that this had been done on behalf of her son. She was made glad, and, with knees bent, she gave thanks to God.
XLIX. When the infant had entered the palace, the Lady met him, and she received him and kissed him: and carrying him, she also greeted the emperor, saying: "Blessed are you, my lord, because of the things which your eyes have seen in your lifetime"; and the emperor rejoiced as he heard her. When the empress saw that he was in a cheerful mood, she said: "If it seems good, let us know what the petition contains, so that everything that is contained in it may be done." The emperor ordered the document to be read, and after it had been read, he said: "The petition is indeed a grave one; but the refusal is graver, since this is our son's first command." But the Lady said to him: "It is not only his first command, but also a petition in this holy habit and for the sake of piety, and requested by holy men." The emperor with difficulty at last gave his assent, as the Lady strongly insisted with him. The pious Amantius reported all these things to us.
L. On the following day we were summoned by the empress: and when, according to custom, she had greeted the holy bishops first, she ordered them to sit, and said to them: "God has granted your request through your prayers; and that was done by His help: you have seen, however, by what way and method I have used. But if it seems right, tomorrow I shall summon the quaestor, and I will order in your presence that a divine rescript be made in accordance with what the petition contains, in the name of the two emperors; and to say it once, let him do everything that follows." The bishops, upon hearing these things, blessed her greatly, and her son, and the emperor. And when they had discussed many other things useful to the soul, after they had said farewell, they went out. On the following day, she summoned the quaestor and us. She says to him: "Take this document, and according to what is contained in it, draft a divine rescript in writing." The quaestor, having received the document, quickly dictated the divine rescript with us present. We suggested to him that he should entrust the duces and consulars and their affairs to provide us with aid.
LI. After the divine rescript had been perfected and subscribed, we asked the Lady that this business be entrusted to some illustrious man. She ordered Amantius to look for a man endowed with good zeal, a Christian, to whom this business might be committed. For many of those who were in dignities at that time B C D
they feigned faith, and divine justice took vengeance upon them. For when the emperors had learned that they were not acting rightly regarding the undefiled faith, they deprived them of their dignities and punished them in their persons and fined them with money: these things, however, had happened previously. Wherefore the Augusta ordered our business to be entrusted to an orthodox man. It was entrusted to a certain one, Cynegius A by name, of the consistory, who was a man admirable and fervent in faith. When he had been summoned, the Augusta ordered him to raze all idols to the ground and commit them to the fire. Furthermore, she gave him money with her own hand, saying: "Take this for expenses, and collect nothing from the most holy bishops." When he had received such commands from the mistress, he departed, more prompt and eager.
LII. When we had passed the remainder of the winter, and had celebrated the holy paschal feast days and the day of the Resurrection, we prepared ourselves to sail. We asked the admirable Amantius to inform the mistress that we requested to bid her farewell. When he heard this, he was affected with great sorrow, because we were about to sail; for he loved us so much that he himself was begging the mistress to let him depart to pray in the holy and venerable places. But the mistress was afraid to let him go, lest, if he went there, he might become a monk and stay there. For she knew the life of the man: he was indeed void of any fault, offering many alms, constantly fasting, receiving many into hospitality, and running to pious works. So much for the pious Amantius. But he signified our arrival to the mistress, and we went in to her, and she said to the most holy bishops: "When, God willing, will you sail?" They replied: "For this reason we have entered, to bid your power farewell." But she said: "Remember me always, and my son."
LIII. She ordered money to be brought immediately. When it had been brought, she said to my lord bishop Porphyrius: "Take, Father, these two hundred B... and build the church I promised in the middle of Gaza, and signify to me if you should have need of more money, and I will send it immediately. Build also a xenodochium, so that you may receive brothers who come to your city and provide them with expenses for three days." She also gave the most holy John a thousand gold pieces, and precious vessels to both. And for expenses C she gave each of them a hundred gold pieces. The aforementioned most holy John, bishop of Caesarea, also obtained whatever privileges he wished on behalf of his church. And when they had prayed and had given many blessings to the mistress and her son and the emperor, they departed.
LIV. They also requested to enter in to the emperor. The emperor asked them whether they were entirely provided for, and whether the Augusta had given them anything. They replied: "We are entirely provided for by your safe piety, and your pious spouse, and your son whom God may protect; and many and great things have been given to us." Immediately the emperor also ordered the prefects to give them from the public revenues of Palestine about twenty pounds of gold. And he himself also gave, for expenses, about one purse, which was found to contain about fifty coins. When they had given him many blessings also, they departed. We spent another three days in the city, until we received the commission of forty pounds; and after three days, boarding a ship, we sailed for Gaza, on the twenty-third of Xanthicus, which is for the Romans the eighteenth of April. The most illustrious Cynegius departed after us, using public transport.
CHAPTER VIII
The return of Saint Porphyrius to Gaza. The storm settled from heaven. Solemn entry into the city.LV. We reached Rhodes in the space of five days; we were very eager to go to Saint Procopius the anchoret. And although we begged the captain hard to grant us three hours, he did not grant it, saying: "I cannot find a wind as favorable as this." We said to him: "The prayers of the holy man can preserve us, and give us a favorable wind." But the captain, indignant, did not admit our petition. But when we had taken on water, we set sail. We were very tormented that it had not been permitted us to meet with him. Therefore, with prayers we ask him to forgive us, and to pray for us that we might be saved, and might render the effect of the work which had been committed to us.
LVI. When therefore we had sailed from Rhodes, and for two days the navigation had been happy for us in the tranquility and serenity of the sea, suddenly a storm arises, and winds, and lightnings, and thunders, and D were lifted on high.
The waves were like mountains, and the ship was lifted up, so that we thought it touched the clouds. There were cries and tears and prayer to God; we also implored the prayers of the holy anchorite Procopius. When evening had come, and the storm did not cease, we remained awake that whole night; but around the morning watch, due to great distress, the most holy bishops slept a little; and my master Porphyrius saw in a dream the holy anchorite Procopius saying to them: "Instruct the ship’s captain in the catechism and sign him (for he is from the detestable heresy of Arius), and bring it about that he himself anathematizes Arius and his evil faith, and immediately such a great storm will cease. For it is because he himself is of the said heresy that it was not granted to you to come to me. Instruct him, however, with the catechism, for he will receive the right doctrine from you."
LVII. When our holy Porphyrius had heard this, he was roused, B and having summoned us, he recounted what he had seen in the dream. Immediately, having called the captain, we said to him: "Do you wish your ship to be safe, and all of us, and above all your own soul?" But he said: "This is not to be questioned." The bishops then said to him: "Renounce your evil faith, and believe in the right faith, and you will be safe, and the ship, and all of us." The captain says to them: "Since I see that you have foreknowledge (for you understood what was in my heart, though no one had reported it to you), behold, I say to you: I believe as you believe, and I renounce the heresy of Arius. I ask you, however, that at your leisure you instruct me from the holy Scriptures in the right faith." The holy bishops accepted him, and signed him, and poured forth prayers over him, and also imparted the divine sacraments to him. In the meantime, the waves ceased, and we sailed happily, and when we had been at sea for another four days, on the fifth morning we sailed into the maritime part of the Gazaeans, which they call Majuma.
LVIII. After we had disembarked, we were recognized by the Christians who were there, and they received us with psalmody. Likewise, from the city also, they flocked to us, having the sign of the venerated cross, and they themselves singing psalms. Those who were from the two places were gathered together, and they did not form a small crowd; for there were more who were from the maritime region, because they had many Egyptian wine merchants. However, the idolaters who were there, seeing what was being done, were torn with rage; but they dared to do nothing, because they had heard how the most holy bishops were held in honor by the emperors, and that they were there to overthrow the idols, and they were consumed by great anxiety and distress of soul.
LIX. After we had entered the city, to the place which is called Tetraphodos, that is, a four-way intersection, there stood a marble statue, and they said it was the statue of Venus. It was on a marble altar: the effigy of the statue was of a naked woman, who had her entire pudenda exposed. Every citizen held the statue in honor, especially the women, lighting lamps and offering incense to it. For they claimed that it answered them in dreams regarding those who wanted to enter into marriage. C But they were deceiving one another, lying. Often, indeed, when ordered by the demon to enter into marriage, it was so far from turning out well for them that divorces occurred between them, or they cohabited basely. These things we learned from those who had been turned away from the error and had acknowledged the truth.
LX. Moreover, some of the idolaters, not bearing the calamities of the grave marriages which they had been ordered by the demon Venus to contract, being indignant, confessed the deception. Such indeed are the demons, that they deceive and never say anything true. Nor can they foretell anything with certainty: but they feign to have foreknowledge among those who serve them by means of probabilities. For how can those who have fallen from the truth speak the truth? But if it happens that they divine some things, this comes from what actually occurs: just as it happens in humans, that they often predict some future things regarding the matter which is about to happen. Those things, therefore, which of those that happen turn out successfully—which indeed rarely happens—we admire; but those which we do not grasp by conjecture, which is what happens constantly, we remain silent about. Thus far regarding the demons and their deception.
LXI. When we therefore, as has been said, had sailed into the city, and had come to the place where the quoted statue of Venus was; the Christians were carrying the venerated wood of Christ, that is, the sign of the cross; the demon who dwelt in the statue, seeing it, and not enduring to see the sign which was being carried, exited from the marble in a disgraceful manner, cast 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, for one of them the head broke into two parts, and for the other the shoulder and arm. The holy people were standing there, mocking them.
LXII. Many of the Gentiles, when they had seen the sign which had been done, believed; D and joining with the laity, they entered with them into the holy church, by the name of Irene. There was, moreover, at that time, great joy among the Christians, for three reasons: first, because the priest had received them safely, and he, when he had done what they desired; secondly, because the gods of the Gentiles were confounded, and had become like dust which is scattered from the threshing floor—since they had similarly been broken, just as those who trusted in them had been.
that the souls who were wandering were preserved and joined the flock of Christ. When the bishop had observed that they remained, he dismissed them in peace, ordering them to devote themselves to the holy Scriptures; there were thirty-two men and seven women. When John, the archbishop, had been in Gaza for two more days, he departed for Caesarea; all the Christians and the holy bishop escorted him for two miles.
CAPUT IX. The idol temples in Gaza are destroyed. Many idolaters are converted by Saint Porphyrius.
LXIII. After ten days, the admirable Cynegius arrived, having with him a consular and a military commander, and a large force of soldiers and civilians. Many of the idolaters had anticipated this and had gone out of the city; some to the villages, others to different cities; there were many wealthy people from the city among them. Cynegius, whom we mentioned, noted the houses of those who had fled. The next day, having summoned the citizens, in the presence of the commander and the consular, he opened the imperial letters, which ordered that the images and shrines be destroyed and delivered to the fire. When the idolaters first heard this, they cried out with a loud voice, so much so that the magistrates bore it with difficulty; and they sent soldiers against them with threats, who beat them with rods and clubs; but the Christians, with great joy, followed the emperors and the magistrates with praises.
LXIV. Immediately, with the magistrates and military cohorts, they made an attack and destroyed the shrines. There were eight public temples of images in the city: namely, of the Sun, and of Venus, and of Apollo, and of Proserpina, and of Hecate, and the one that was called the Hierion, or of the priests, and of the Fortune of the city, which they called the Tycheon; and Marnion, which they said was of Jove of the Cretan kind (47); which they thought was more glorious than all the temples that are everywhere. A There were also many other images in the houses and the villages, which no one could number. For the demons, when they had grasped the minds of the Gazans as if they were pliable, filled the whole city and the surrounding region with error: this happened to them because of their excessive simplicity. Wherefore, having been brought to the holy faith, the Christians became incited with great zeal. Thus far concerning the Gazans.
LXV. Therefore, the soldiers, having been ordered, made an attack along with the Christians of the city and its maritime part upon the images. And when they first wished to destroy the images and the Marnion, they were repelled. For the idol priests, having heard of it beforehand, had B walled up the doors of the inner temple from the inside with large stones; and when they had carried away into what are called the adyta whatever was precious in the temple: indeed, they even hid the very animals of their gods in there, and they fled through the adyta themselves by other paths. For they said that the said adyta had many passages to different places. Repelled therefore, as I said before, they turned to other images: and some they destroyed, others they delivered to the fire. When, therefore, they had seized everything that was in them, the precious vessels—but Saint Porphyrius had subjected to anathema in the church any Christian citizen who took anything from the shrines for his own gain—no one among the faithful citizens took anything, except the soldiers and the strangers who were found there. Therefore, pious men from the clergy, along with the laity, and the holy bishop Porphyrius himself went around, restraining them so that they might not take anything. Indeed, they spent ten days destroying the temples of the idols.
LXVI. After the aforementioned days, they took counsel as to how they should treat Marnion, and what they should do with it. For some said that it ought to be dug up; others said that it should be burned; others, that the place should be purified and sanctified for the Church of God: and there was great deliberation about this matter. Finally, the holy bishop ordered a fast and prayer for the people, so that the Lord might reveal to them what they ought to do. And when they had fasted on that day, and had prayed to God about this matter, in the evening they celebrated the holy synaxis. C While it was being celebrated, however, a boy about seven years old, standing with his own mother, suddenly cried out, saying: "Burn the temple inside down to the ground. For many grave things have been done in it, and especially human sacrifices. Burn it, in truth, in this way: bring humid pitch, sulfur, and swine fat, and mix these three together, and smear the bronze doors, and cast fire into them, and thus the whole temple shall be burned. For it cannot be done otherwise. But that which is on the outside, leave with its enclosure: and after it has been burned, cleansing the place, build a holy church there." He also said this: "I testify to you before God, let it not be done otherwise. For it is not I who speak, but Christ who speaks in me." He said these things in the Syriac language. But when they heard, all were astonished and glorified God. D
LXVII. This miracle came also to the ears of the holy bishop: and when he had stretched out his hands toward heaven, he glorified God, and said: "Glory to you, holy Father, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and have revealed them to little ones" (Matt. xi, 25). He also ordered the boy’s mother, after...
she had left the church, to be found in the Bishop’s house. A Having therefore separated the boy, the Bishop said to the woman: "I adjure you by the Son of the living God, that you tell me if, by your suggestion or that of another, and with your knowledge, the boy spoke today those things which he said concerning Marnas." But the woman, when she had heard these things, said: "I surrender myself to the terrible and fearsome tribunal of Christ, if I have ever known beforehand anything of those things which my son has spoken today. But if it seems good to you, behold, take the boy, and threaten him and examine him; and if he spoke at anyone’s suggestion, he will confess out of fear: B but if he says nothing else, it is evident that he is inspired by the Holy Spirit." When the Bishop had heard what the woman had said, and had praised her, he ordered her to withdraw a little, and the boy to be brought in. And when the boy was brought forward, he said to him: "Who suggested to you that you should speak in that church what you said about Marnas?" But the boy was silent. The most holy Bishop then ordered a lash to be brought and the boy to be stretched out, so that he might be terrified by it. But he, holding the lash, cried out with a loud voice, saying: "Who told you that I should not speak? Tell me, lest you be struck with the lash." But the boy stood silent, saying nothing. C Then we who were around him said these things to him with threats; but he was immovable.
LXVIII. Finally, after everyone had ceased to speak, opening his mouth, the boy said in the Greek tongue: "Burn the temple which is inside, even to the ground. Many grievous things have been done in it, especially the sacrifice of men. But in this way, burn it: Bring pitch, and sulphur, and hog’s lard, and mix these three, and anoint the bronze doors, and cast fire upon them: and thus the temple shall be consumed. For otherwise it cannot be done. As for that which is outside, leave it as it is; and after it has been consumed, when the place has been purified, set up there a holy church. D I testify to you before God that it cannot be done otherwise. For it is not I who am speaking, but Christ who is in me." The most holy Bishop Porphyrios, and all who were with him, were amazed, having heard the boy’s free confidence in speaking, and that he had spoken clearly and distinctly. But summoning the mother, he asked her if her son knew the Greek tongue. She, however, swore and affirmed that neither she nor her son knew Greek. When the most holy Porphyrios heard this again, he praised the Lord, and bringing in the coins, and when he saw the coins in her hand, he exclaimed, saying in the Syriac tongue: "Do not receive them, mother, lest you also sell the gift of Christ for gold." Later, when we heard this, we were greatly amazed. The woman then 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.
LXIX. In the morning, the religious clergy and the Christ-loving people, and besides these, the wonderful A Cynegius and the magistrates, having assembled, said to them, what the boy had said concerning Marnas. But when they had heard it, they wondered; and by common consent they said, that as the boy had said, so it should be burned. Therefore, having brought humid pitch, and sulphur, and hog's lard, and having mixed these three, they anointed the inner doors; and prayers having been poured out, they applied fire, and immediately the fire seized the whole temple, and it was consumed. However, as many soldiers and guests as could, snatched from the fire what they could find, whether gold, or silver, or lead.
LXX. There was indeed there a certain one of the military prefects whom they call tribunes, who was present at the burning of the temple; he was, as it appeared, B a Christian; but in secret he was an idolater. He, therefore, when he was present, and saw the conflagration and the looting which was being done by the soldiers, was indignant; and under the pretext that he was concerned to preserve order, he was cruelly beating with lashes the people who were finding some plunder. While these things were happening, and the walls were being consumed by the fire, suddenly a burning beam fell upon the tribune, and brought him double death. For his head having been broken, it crushed the rest of his body; and immediately the faithful soldiers and the Christ-loving people, knowing him to be prone to idols, glorified God, and said that Psalm which says: C "Why do you boast in malice, you who are powerful in iniquity? All the day your tongue has thought upon injustice: you have wrought deceit as a sharp razor. You have loved malice more than goodness; and injustice more than righteousness to speak. You have loved all words of ruin, O deceitful tongue. Therefore God will destroy you forever, He will pluck you out, and make you emigrate from your tabernacle, and your word from the land of the living" (Ps. lii, 2-7); and those things which follow in the Psalm. For many days the temple burned continually.
LXXI. Afterwards, the ransacking of the houses was also performed; there were many idols in the more spacious courtyards; and those which were found, were partly delivered to the fire, partly cast into the mire. D Books also were found full of tricks and incantations, which they called sacred, through which they performed mysteries and other nefarious idol-worship. These also suffered the same things which their gods did.
LXXII. Many, however, were running to the holy faith, some out of fear, others condemning their former way of life. The holy Church opened its doors to all. For it remembers the Scripture, which says: "Knock and it shall be opened; and he that seeks, finds" (Matt. vii, 8). And again: "Whether by pretext, or in truth, Christ is preached" (Phil. i, 18). Some of the faithful, however, said to the holy Bishop, that it was not right to receive those who approach out of fear, but those who come with a good purpose. The holy Bishop, however, said to them, that he was saying these things:
LXXIII. "There are also virtues which happen to men by chance and calamity. How he who serves..."
someone possesses a wicked and ungrateful person, he first warns him to always be of a mindful and grateful disposition; but after he sees that he does not in any way heed the warning, he thereafter necessarily introduces fear, and lashes, and chains, and other things of this sort, not wishing to destroy him, but to save him and to have him acknowledge that which is proper. Consider God in the same way, who patiently bears our ungrateful disposition: for He often persuades us of things that are useful to us, through the Scriptures and other holy men. But because we are not obedient, wishing entirely as one who is good and kind to possess us, and not to repel us, He brings upon us His fear and discipline, inviting us that we might of necessity acknowledge that which is proper. Wherefore the Scripture says: *When He slew them, then they sought Him, and they returned and sought God early* (Ps. LXXVII, 34). And again it says regarding those who break away and shake off the yoke from God: *With bit and bridle shalt thou restrain their jaws, that come not nigh unto thee* (Ps. XXXI, 9). It is necessary, therefore, O my children, to admonish humanity through fears and threats and discipline. Therefore it says again: *It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I might learn Thy statutes* (Ps. CXVIII, 71). These things, however, I have said on account of those who wish to approach our holy faith. For, even if they have come with doubts, time can soften them, with Christ consenting. But so that I may tell you another thing as well: if they have not been found worthy of the faith, as those who have already been in a state of evil, those who are born from them can be saved, as those who associate with the good.
LXXIV. When Saint Porphyrius had said these things, and had persuaded the brothers, he received all who wished to be enlightened, instructing them with catechesis for many days, not only before baptism, but also afterwards. For he assiduously taught the Word, not using brilliant and magnificent oratory, nor wishing to show off, but using simple diction, and resolving everything from the Scripture. There came, therefore, in that year to the flock of Christ about three hundred persons: and from that time the affairs of the Christians received an increase every year.
Chapter X. New church built by St. Porphyrius. Three boys who fell into a well are saved.
LXXV. Now that the Marneion was entirely burned down and A the city established, the blessed bishop decided, with the religious clergy and the Christ-loving people, to build a holy church in the burned-down place, just as it had been revealed to him when he was in Constantinople; for which reason he had also received money from the most religious Empress Eudoxia. Having dismissed the magistrates and the Christ-loving people, he retained part of the assistance, so that no novelty might occur after their departure. Not only on account of this, but also so that they might bring help toward collecting the material for the building of the said holy church. B Some, however, suggested that it should be built as the idol temple had been placed; for it was of round form, surrounded by two colonnades, having them entering into one another inside; and its middle part was constructed for the emission of vapors, and it was northern and extended in height. It also had certain other things that befitted the idols, suitable for those detestable and nefarious things which were done by the idolaters. On this form and position, then, some said the holy church should be built; but others contradicted, saying that the memory of its position itself should also be destroyed. But those who said this persuaded everyone, so that they might say it correctly. The most holy bishop said: "We will leave this also to counsel." Meanwhile, however, while the place was being cleared, there came a *magistrianus*, bringing imperial letters of the ever-memorable Eudoxia. The letters contained a greeting and a petition of prayer for her husband and son. There was also on another sheet, among the letters, a design of the holy church in the form of a cross, as it is seen now also, God willing: and the letters contained that the holy church should be built appropriately to the said design. Saint Porphyrius rejoiced when he had read and seen the design described. For he knew that this also had been done by divine revelation, and he remembered the Scripture which says: *The heart of the king is in the hand of God* (Prov. XXI, 1). The letters also contained that precious columns and marbles were to be sent.
LXXVI. When the ash and all the abominations had been ejected, and the remains of the marbles of the Marneion, C which they said were sacred, had been left behind—and in a place inaccessible, especially to women—the holy bishop decided that they should be paved in the square before the temple, so that they might be trodden upon not only by men, but also by women, and dogs, and pigs, and beasts. This was more distressing to the idolaters than the burning of the temple. Wherefore many of them, especially women, do not ascend the marbles to this day. A short time later, he proclaimed a fast for one day; and when the morning prayers had been dismissed, the pious bishop ordered every Christ-loving man to bring spades and rakes and other instruments of this kind. This he had decreed the evening before, so that all might be found ready in the morning; which was indeed done.
LXXVII. When the people had gathered with the said D instruments in the holy church which was called Irene, he ordered everyone to go together, chanting psalms, to the Marneion, what it had once been. He himself followed, carrying the holy Gospel and having the pious clergy around him, in reality imitating Christ with the disciples. Always preceding the people was the ever-memorable Barochas, carrying the likeness of the venerable cross. On both sides of the people were soldiers, who had been left to keep the city in order. As they went, they chanted, and in the interruption of the verses of the psalm they said, *Alleluia*. There was also the psalm which they were saying: *Come, let us exult in the Lord, let us...*
A shout to God our Savior. Let us come before his face in confession, and in psalms let us shout 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 adore, and fall down before him, and 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 hands. They also said other psalms until they entered into the Marnium.
LXXVIII. Saint Porphyrius the bishop exhorted a certain architect from Antioch named Rufinus, a faithful and knowledgeable man, through whom the whole building was also completed. Having taken gypsum, he marked out the layout of the holy church, corresponding to the design which had been sent from the beginning by the pious Augusta Eudoxia. And when the most holy bishop had prayed and bent his knee, he commanded the people to dig. Immediately, everyone with one mind and the same alacrity dug, shouting: *Christ conquers*. It was not permitted, however, to see a distinction between man and woman, or old man or boy; but the prompt and ready spirit gave strength to all. And some were digging, while others were carrying away the earth; so that in a few days everything was excavated and the earth removed.
LXXIX. Therefore, material having been prepared beforehand, and in great stones in the mound which is called Aldium, from the eastern part of the city, and other material, the saint again, having gathered the Christ-loving people, with prayers and psalms said in the place, he himself beginning first, began to carry stones, and to lay the foundations. Then the pious clergy also and all the laity, rejoicing, and chanting with a loud voice; so that they were heard for three miles from the city.
LXXX. And on that day a great miracle happened. There are wells around the holy precinct, one of which is on the western side of the holy, as it is now, church of God, not very deep. Three boys therefore, feeling thirsty, went to drink, and approaching the well, they leaned forward, hanging onto the wood which was in the mouth of the well, as boys are wont to do; and, the wood breaking, they fell into the well. Someone who was passing by saw this, and went and reported to the people what had happened. There was no small tumult, with everyone rushing to the well. When the holy bishop, also B running to the place, saw what had happened, he ordered silence to be made. Having done this, he began to pray and to beseech God with many tears that He would keep them alive and unharmed, and especially on account of the idolaters, lest they say: *Where is their God, in whom they hoped?* And when for an hour he had been bowed down on the ground, and had prayed, he ordered someone to descend by the ropes, and to search for the boys. For they were calling out from the people, calling the boys; nor was there anyone who could hear them below from the well.
LXXXI. But when that man had descended, three boys were found, sitting on a great stone, unharmed and chatting happily among themselves. When that man saw them, he was greatly amazed, and glorified God, and calling out from below, he said: Praise the Lord; for the three boys are alive. But when the holy bishop and the people had heard, they rejoiced; and, a large basket having been lowered, they commanded the three boys to be brought out together; for they were small, of six or seven years of age. The basket having been accepted, and that man having been received into it, he made those three bound ones sit there safely, commanding them to close their eyes, until they had reached upward, and to say: *Jesus Christ, save us.* And when he had done this, he shouted to pull the rope appropriately; and as they were pulling, they were saying the hymn of the three boys: *Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers.* And when they had arrived, and the most holy bishop had seen them (for he was standing in the well, and holding the rope), he, filled with joy and tears, exclaimed, saying: *Bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and Praise the Lord.* But after they lifted them and the basket, they searched to see whether any part of their bodies had been broken; and nothing was found to be harmed in them.
LXXXII. But we saw a great miracle. For we saw three boys having signs of crosses as if pricked with a needle. One indeed C in the middle of the forehead; another however on the top of the right hand with fingers; another however on the right shoulder. But the crosses were beautifully depicted, neither oblique, nor curved, but of one measure, so that it might be evident that they were divine signs. For they neither brought them pain, nor did they draw blood; but they were impressed as if with cinnabar; they remained in them, however, for a long time after this, so that everyone saw and wondered. For many even of the aliens, when they saw, believed.
LXXXIII. When, however, he too had ascended who had descended on account of the boys, he affirmed with an oath, saying: When I put them into the basket, and they were being carried back up, I saw them as if like lightning, until they arrived at the mouth of the well. The Christians were there that day: but the idolaters were sorrowful and offended. The building, however, proceeded daily, with everyone working with a prompt and ready spirit. Nor was there any one who would be frustrated in his reward; but he also provided for them, acting munificently toward those who were working. D For he said it was just that they should receive, not a curse, but a blessing for all the work of the building.
LXXIV. In the following year, the empress sent the columns which she had promised; they were indeed great and admirable, thirty in number. Two, however, are called Carystian, and they are in the holy church, shining like emeralds. When those who brought them had arrived by sea, the zeal and the prompt and eager spirit of the people, who loved Christ, appeared once more. For when they heard, they immediately ran to the shore, not just the men, but women, children, and the elderly as well; for the desire for the faith strengthened them all. And when they had brought up the wagons, they dragged each column that had been placed upon them and deposited it in the hypaethrum of the temple, and went back again and brought another, until they had carried them all. And so much for these things.
CHAPTER XI
A Manichaean woman punished by sudden death upon the prayer of Saint Porphyrius. The church is dedicated. The almsgiving of Saint Porphyrius.
LXXXV. At that time, a certain woman from Antioch named Julia arrived in the city; she was of the execrable heresy of those who are called Manichaeans. Having learned that there were some who had been recently illuminated and were not yet established in the holy faith, she would creep into their minds and corrupt them through her doctrine, which dazzled and enchanted the eyes, but even more so through the distribution of money. For as for the one who discovers this aforementioned impious heresy, there is no way to snare others except by giving money. Their doctrine, to those who are wise, is full of every blasphemy and condemnation, and of old wives' tales that attract silly women and childish men who have a shallow mind and way of thinking. For they have constructed this perverse opinion of theirs from various heresies and pagan dogmas, desiring to capture everyone with craft and guile. For they say there are many gods, so as to please the pagans. Furthermore, they observe the time of one's birth and assert fate and astrology, so that they may sin securely; as if it were not in our power to sin, but rather by the necessity of fate.
LXXXVI. Furthermore, they also profess Christ. For they say he was a man in appearance. Indeed, they themselves are also said to be Christians in appearance. I omit those things which are ridiculous and worthy of execration, lest I fill the ears of those who read these things with annoying listening and monstrous narratives. For they mix the affairs of Philistion, Scenus, and Hesiod, and others who are called philosophers, with Christian matters, and have constructed their heresy. For just as a painter, making a mixture from various colors, produces by estimation a man or a beast or something else, in order to deceive those who look on—so that it appears real to the foolish and the sense-less, but is shadow and deception to those who are wise A and [product of] human ingenuity—so also did the Manichaeans, by drawing from various dogmas, bring about their wicked opinion; or rather, by gathering and mixing venom from various serpents, they produced a deadly poison for the destruction of human souls. But as was said before, since that pestilential woman was lingering there, some were seduced by her fallacious doctrine.
LXXXVII. A few days later, when Saint Porphyrius learned of this from certain of the faithful, he summoned her and asked who she was, where she was from, and what opinion she held. She confessed both her country and that she was a Manichaean. But when those who were with him were moved to anger (for there were certain pious men there), the blessed one asked them not to be angry, but to admonish her patiently once and twice, observing that which was said by the holy Apostle (Tit. III, 10). Then he said to the woman: "Refrain, O sister, from this evil opinion: for it is satanic." But she answered: "Speak, and listen; and either you will persuade or you will be persuaded." The saint said: "Prepare yourself for tomorrow and come here." When she had bid him farewell, she departed. But the blessed one, having fasted and prayed much to Christ that he might put the devil to shame, was prepared for the following day. He then summoned some of the pious clergy and laity for his and the woman's disputation.
LXXXVIII. On the following day the woman approached, having with her two men and the same number of women who were younger and beautiful; all, however, were pale. Julia, moreover, was of advanced age. Their entire disputation was led by the writings and discourses of worldly learning: but much more so on the part of Julia. Their attire, however, was humble, and their manners modest—what is called "outwardly sheep, but inwardly ravening wolves" (Matt. VII, 15) and venomous creatures. For they say and do everything with simulation. Then, being ordered to sit, they debated and inquired. Saint Porphyrius, carrying the holy Gospels, after he had made the sign of the cross on his mouth, began to ask her to state her opinion. And she began. But brother Cornelius the deacon, who was mentioned a little earlier, knowing how to write in the characters which they use in court, being ordered by the most blessed bishop, noted down all things that were said and opposed, while I and brother Barocha gave prompts. I have not written the disputation in this book, because it is large, as I wish to commit this writing to letters in a compendium; I have, however, set it forth in another book for those who wish to know the wisdom given by God to the most holy Porphyrius, and [to see] the old wives' tales which the monstrous and poisonous Julia spewed forth.
LXXXIX. For she was quickly pursued by the B judgment of God.
VITA S. PORPHYRII GAZENSIS.
divine justice. For after she had prattled on for a long time, and had spoken the usual blasphemies against the Lord and God of all, holy Porphyrius, moved by divine zeal, seeing that He who contains all things, both those that fall under the sight and those that do not, was being beset with blasphemies and curses by a woman in whom the devil was working, and who submitted herself to his will, passed judgment upon her, saying: "God who makes all things, who alone is eternal, having neither beginning nor end, who is glorified in the Trinity, shall strike your tongue and shall stop your mouth, that it may speak no blasphemy."
XC. The punishment followed the utterance of the sentence immediately. For Julia began to tremble and change in countenance; and remaining in ecstasy for a long time, she did not speak, but was mute and motionless, keeping her eyes open and fixed upon the most holy bishop. But those who were with her, when they saw what she was enduring, were seized with great fear; they comforted her and sang songs to her ears, but there was neither voice nor hearing. When she had remained mute for a long time, she gave up her spirit, going to the darkness which she had held in honor, thinking it to be light, fittingly fulfilling the Scripture which says: "Woe to them that call what is sweet, bitter, and what is bitter, sweet; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness" (Isa. v, 20). The saint ordered her body to be laid out and delivered for burial, having pity on human nature; for he was exceedingly clement and merciful.
XCI. Whosoever heard what had happened were greatly amazed, not only those who were of our faith, but also foreigners. But those who were with her, two men and women, and whoever had been corrupted by her, ran and fell at the feet of the most blessed bishop, saying: "We have sinned"; and they sought penance. The blessed one made them all subject to anathema against Manes, the author of their heresy—from which they also were called Manichaeans; and when he had instructed them in catechesis for many days, he brought them to the holy catholic church. By the occasion of them, others also from among other nations were led by penitence and were enlightened.
A XCIII. For that reason, when at the beginning he laid the foundations, he was reprehended by certain of the faithful because he had designed it so great when there were few Christians in the city. But the most holy Porphyrius answered and said: "Let not your faith be small. For I hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that He will multiply His flock and will make this house more ample; for it can contain the multitude of Christians. For the dogma of the Christians is not human, so as to be seen for a time and then dissolved, but divine, B and it receives increase." These and such things the blessed Porphyrius always discoursed to the faithful, not only in the church, but also in every place, enlightening and aiding the people who love Christ. After the days of the festival, he dismissed the people in peace, every one to his own home.
XCII. After a period of five years, the work of the holy great church was completed. It was called Eudoxiana, from the name of the most pious empress Eudoxia. The most holy bishop Porphyrius celebrated the dedication on the day of the resurrection of holy Pascha, splendidly and magnificently, not sparing the expense; but having gathered all the monks who were about a thousand, with other pious clerics and laymen and bishops, he spent all the days of holy Pascha joyfully; and it was permitted to see angelic choirs, not only in the ecclesiastical sequence, but also in the hours when they took place. For there was not only a sensible table, but a spiritual one as well. For after the meal a psalm was said, and after the drink a hymn. But the idol-worshippers, seeing what was happening, C pined away. For guests came from everywhere to see the beauty and magnitude of the holy church. It was said to be greater than all the churches that were in existence at that time.
XCIV. After he had founded and sanctified the said holy church, he established that there should be given to every guest who was in the city the provisions for one day. He also provided for every beggar, as much to the foreigner as to the citizen, six obols daily, besides what he offered of himself to those who approached him, in clothing, in silver and gold: providing to each one conveniently for his dignity; nor was any of those who were in need destitute of his gifts. In the days of the fasts of the holy paschal festival, he provided twenty obols to every poor person for forty days. He ordered, moreover, in his own pious testament, that the said ten [sic] obols be given definitely for forty days: and with a designated revenue from which he wished them to be given, he established in the said testament that, if these were not provided annually, the said revenue should go to the holy church of Caesarea. And these things were done afterwards.
Chapter XII.
Persecution of the Gentiles against the Christians and the holy Porphyrius. The conversion and life of the holy virgin Salaphtha. The holy Porphyrius dies.XCV. But the idol-worshippers, the more they saw the Christians prospering, the more they raged, and they studied to inflict evils upon the Christians, and before all, upon their pastor, the holy Porphyrius. For when at one time a controversy had arisen regarding lands between D the steward of the holy church and Sampsychus, who was the first among the idolaters, the pious Barochas, seeing the steward being subjected to injury, defended him, and began to inflict insults upon the said Sampsychus. When, however, the rest of the councilors heard this, they gathered and attacked the steward and the pious Barochas. At the same time, however, together with the councilors, many of the citizens also ascended, having found an opportunity to inflict evil upon the faithful; and from a small, as one might say, spark, such a fire was kindled that all Christians were in peril of perishing. For with such fury were they…
[the idolaters] moved, that they took up swords and clubs, and killed seven men, and wounded many others.
XCVI. Then, not content with this, they rushed upon the pastor himself. Certain men, however, who rejoiced in the good, ran ahead and reported the incursion of the multitude to the most holy bishop. When the blessed man heard this, having summoned me, he said: "Let us flee, brother, and keep ourselves hid a little while until the wrath of the Lord passes." And having climbed the walls, we fled over the roofs. The idolaters, however, having broken down the doors of the episcopal house, entered; and when they did not find the holy Porphyry, they plundered everything they found there.
XCVII. I, however, and the blessed Porphyry, fleeing over the roofs, found a girl about fourteen years old; who, when she recognized the holy bishop, fell at his feet. The blessed man asked her who she was, and to what parents she was born. But the girl, replying, said she was an orphan of father and mother, and had a grandmother who was an old woman, frail in body, and that she worked to support herself and her grandmother. He asked her if she were a Christian. But she, on the other hand, said that she was not; but that for a long time now she had desired to be, if she were worthy. But the compassionate Porphyry, when he had heard what the girl said, and was pricked at heart, wept, saying: "How inclined to the good is the race of the Gazaeans! But the adversary strives to hinder their good will, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth." And he said to the girl: "Bring us here a mat into this loft, so that we may stay here until the tumult of the city settles; and do not tell anyone that we are here." But she affirmed with an oath that she would not even tell her own grandmother.
XCVIII. When, however, by a certain roof she had climbed to her house, she brought a mat and spread it out; and, falling at the feet of the holy man, she begged him to partake of her meager food, and not to disdain her poverty: for it was about evening. The saint, however, wishing to be an imitator of the great prophet Elijah, said to the girl: "Make haste, daughter, and bring it, that the Lord may give you through me spiritual and carnal nourishment." She, however, quickly went down and bought bread and olives and cheese, and soaked legumes. She brought everything and set it before us, saying: "Accept, my lords, and bless my poverty." The blessed man, again pricked at heart, wept, since he had foreseen that she was about to have faith in Christ. And when we had risen and prayed our usual prayers, and had sat down, we ate. I indeed ate cheese and drank wine; but the saint ate bread and soaked legumes, and drank water; and when we had dismissed the girl to her grandmother, we slept in the loft; for it was summertime. Moreover, we also asked the girl's name. She said, Salaphtha; which is interpreted in Greek as Irene, that is, peace. We spent the following day in that loft, with our hostess caring for us with a ready and eager mind.
XCIX. But after we knew that the tumult of the city had been settled, at night we walked to the holy church. And when we had ascended into the episcopal residence, we found nothing in it except pious Barochas lying there, brought to the extremity of danger from the wounds inflicted upon him by the impious idolaters. But after a few days, when the proconsul, who was called Clarus, had learned what had been done in the city, he sent the chief clerk with a great force, and threw into custody those whom the public officials pointed out, and took them to Caesarea: and of some he took the penalty, while others he dismissed beaten with ox-hide scourges; and having struck no small fear into them, he thus quieted the city.
C. A few days later, the holy Porphyry remembered that good girl who had received us, and he summoned her through me. She came running, having also another woman whom she said was her aunt. When they had entered to the blessed bishop, they fell at his feet: and he received them kindly, as a benevolent father. He said to the girl: "In truth, O daughter, do you desire to become a Christian?" She replied: "I already told you, O master, that I have long been held by this desire, and now I have brought my aunt as witness, who is herself also held by the same desire." He, however, was joyful, and ordered that four coins of silver be given daily to her and her grandmother; and to her aunt he gave one coin; and when he had signed them with the sign of the cross, he dismissed them, bidding them to keep to their prayers and to the instruction of the catechumens through catechesis. But he sent also to her house the pious presbyter Timothy, the instructor in catechesis, and ordered him to sign the girl’s grandmother. For, as I said before, she had a weak and infirm body. Those three, instructed through catechesis, were a little while later deemed worthy of venerable baptism.
CI. But after the saint had put off his holy habit, having summoned the girl, he said to her: "Do you wish that we join you in lawful matrimony? For it is time for you to marry. For our Scripture does not forbid honorable marriage." But when the girl had heard what the holy man had said, she began to weep and to 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 common and worthless man? Do not do this by any means, my master." But the saint, marveling, said to her: "And who is he to whom I have joined you?" But she replied: "Jesus Christ the Savior of our souls, my true bridegroom, from whom I shall not be separated throughout eternity." When the saint had heard this and was pricked at heart, he wept; so much so that out of great compunction he embraced the girl and kissed her head. For he was indeed truly without passion, and out of a great propensity for mercy, prompt to shed tears. Moreover, we all who were with him, when we heard...