Saint Porphyrius
Private collection
Porphyrius (c. 347–420): At Gaza in Palestine, Saint Porphyrius the bishop. Born at Thessalonica, he lived as an anchorite for fifteen years at Sceti, and just as many across the Jordan, outstanding in his kindness to the poor. Ordained afterwards as Bishop of Gaza, he overturned many temples of idolatry, and for a long time had to deal with harassment from their devotees, until he passed away in peace with the venerable holy ones.
Unknown iconographer
Porfiry Gazsky, XVI century
Mural
Mount Athos, Dionysiath Monastery
At the age of twenty-five. Porphyry, a rich citizen of Thessalonica, left the world for one of the great religious houses in the desert of Scete. Here he remained five years, and then, finding himself drawn to a more solitary life, passed into Palestine, where he spent a similar period in the severest penance, till ill health obliged him to moderate his austerities.
RELIGIOUS ENGRAVING 1890 - 1900
LIFE OF THE SAINT DIA SANTORAL - SAINT PORPHYRE Saint Porphyry of GAZA
ENGRAVING
25.9 X 17.9 CM
Private collection
Saint Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza. Being seriously ill, he arrived at Mount Calvary and Our Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Dismas (the Good Thief) appeared to him, who descended from his cross to lift him up and help him approach the Lord, there he took His cross and was cured.
He then made his home in Jerusalem, and in spite of his ailments visited the Holy Places every day; thinking, says his biographer, so little of his sickness that he seemed to be afflicted in another body, and not his own. About this time God put it in to his heart to sell all he had and give to the poor, and then in reward of the sacrifice restored him by a miracle to perfect health. In 393 he was ordained priest and intrusted with the care of the relics of the true cross; three years later, in spite of all the resistance his humility could make, he was consecrated Bishop of Gaza.
Saint Porphyrios of Gaza
I have no further description, at this time
That city was a hotbed of pagan-ism, and Porphyry found in it an ample scope for his apostolic zeal. His labors and the miracles which at- tended them effected the conversion of many; and an imperial edict for the destruction of the pagan temples, obtained through the influence of St. John Chrysostom, greatly strengthened his hands.
Unknown iconographerDestruction of all traces of heathen worship I have no further description, at this time
When St. Porphyry first went to Gaza, he found there, one temple more splendid than the rest, in honor of the chief god. When the edict went forth to destroy all traces of heathen worship, St. Porphyry determined to put Satan to special shame where he had received special honor. A Christian church was built upon the site, and its approach was paved with the marbles of the heathen temple. Thus every worshipper of Jesus Christ trod the relics of idolatry and superstition underfoot each time he went to assist at the holy Mass.
He lived to see his diocese for the most part clear of idolatry, and died in 420.
His body is said to be buried in Saint Porphyrius' Church, in Gaza City, in Palestine. More on Saint Porphyrios of Gaza
Saint Porphyrius: The largest church in Gaza
Gaza has remained one of the Bishoprics of the Church of Jerusalem, its centre of veneration being the Church of St Porphyrios, built on the site of his tomb.
Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza
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