- St Porphyrius, bishop of Gaza (420)
- He was born to a wealthy, noble family in Thessalonica around 347.
Filled more and more with a yearning for God, he abandoned his worldly
possessions and traveled to Egypt, living for five years as a monk at
Sketis. From there he went to Palestine, where he lived for another
five years in a cave in the Jordan desert. Suffering from a severe
ailment, he was forced to move to Jerusalem; there he was suddenly and
completely cured following a vision on Golgotha, in which he saw the
Good Thief come down from the cross to lead him to Christ, who gave the
Cross into his keeping.
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Porphyrius took up the trade of a shoemaker in Jerusalem to provide for
his few needs. His humility and charity became so well-known that the
Bishop of Jerusalem ordained him to the priesthood at the age of
forty-five, and made him Stavrophylax, keeper of
the True Cross of the Savior — thus fulfilling Porphyrius' vision on
Golgatha. Three years later, much against his will, he was elected
Bishop of Gaza.
- Throughout his episcopate he was persecuted by the pagans who still
dominated the life of that city — though he was able to convert many of
them by his own example of holiness, and by the many miracles that were
wrought through his intercessions. Once, when the city was suffering
from a long drought, the Saint gathered the city's Christians (who
numbered no more than 280), told them to fast, and celebrated an
all-night vigil. The next morning, as the Bishop and his entire flock
went in procession through the city it began to rain. At this, 127
pagans were converted. When the pagans' violent attacks continued,
Porphyrius appealed to the Emperor Arcadius for an edict closing of the
pagan temples in Gaza. With the support of St John Chrysostom the
edict was issued. When the Imperial representatives entered Gaza,
accompanied by Bishop Porphyrius bearing the Cross, the statue of
Aphrodite in the city's main temple shattered into pieces. Eight
temples were destroyed, and a Church was built on the site of the
largest. Hundreds of pagans embraced the Faith and, after instruction,
were baptized by the Saint.
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After twenty-five years as bishop, during which he had seen his see
transformed from a small flock of beleaguered Christians into a
Christian territory, Saint Porphyrius reposed in peace in 420.
source: http://www.abbamoses.com
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