Feb. 26 – St. Porphyry of Gaza

Saint Porphyry, Archbishop of Gaza, was born around 346 in Thessaloniki, in Macedonia. His parents were wealthy people, which allowed Saint Porphyry to receive a good education. Having an inclination toward monastic life, at the age of twenty-five he left his homeland and went to Egypt, where he labored on the Nitrian Mountain under the guidance of the Venerable Macarius the Great (commemorated January 19). There he met the blessed Jerome, who was visiting the Egyptian monasteries at that time. Together with him, he went to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places and the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (commemorated September 14). After this, he settled in the Jordanian desert for the labor of prayer and fasting.

There Saint Porphyry fell into a severe illness. To seek healing, he decided to go to the holy places in Jerusalem. One day, when he lay at the foot of Golgotha in complete weakness and oblivion, the Lord visited His servant with a saving dream. Saint Porphyry saw Jesus Christ descend from the Cross and say to him: “Take this Tree and guard it.” When he awoke, he felt healthy. The words of the Savior were soon fulfilled: the Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Saint Porphyry to the priesthood and appointed him guardian of the Honorable Tree of the Lord’s Cross.

At that time, Saint Porphyry received his share of the parental inheritance—four thousand gold coins. He distributed all of it to those in need and for the adornment of God’s temples.

In 395 the bishop of the city of Gaza (in Palestine) died. The local Christians went to Caesarea to Metropolitan John with a request to appoint a new bishop who could oppose the pagans, who predominated in their city and oppressed the Christians. The Lord inspired the metropolitan to summon the Jerusalem presbyter Porphyry. With fear and trembling the ascetic accepted the episcopal rank, bowed with tears before the Life-Giving Tree, and set off to fulfill his new obedience.

In Gaza he found only three Christian churches, but a great multitude of pagan shrines and idols. At that time there was a drought and great famine from lack of rain. The priests offered sacrifices to the idols, but the calamity did not cease. Saint Porphyry appointed a fast for all Christians, celebrated an all-night vigil, and processed around the entire city with a cross procession. Immediately the sky became covered with clouds, thunder roared, and abundant rain poured down. Seeing such a miracle, many pagans cried out: “One Christ is the True God!” After this event, 127 men, 35 women, and 14 children joined the Church through holy Baptism, and soon another 110 people.

However, the pagans continued to oppress the Christians, removing them from public offices and burdening them with taxes. Saint Porphyry and Metropolitan John of Caesarea went to Constantinople to ask for protection from the emperor. Saint John Chrysostom (commemorated September 14, January 27 and 30) received them and provided effective help.

The bishops John and Porphyry were presented to Empress Eudoxia, who was then expecting a child. “Labor for us,” the bishops said to the empress, “and the Lord will send you a son who will reign during your lifetime.” Eudoxia greatly desired a son, for previously she had borne only daughters. Indeed, through the prayers of the saints, an heir was born in the imperial family. In 401 an imperial decree followed ordering the destruction of the idolatrous shrines in Gaza and granting privileges to the Christians. Moreover, the empress provided the saints with funds to build a new church, which was erected in Gaza on the site of the chief pagan shrine.

By the end of his life, Saint Porphyry fully established Christianity in Gaza and completely protected his flock from the oppression of the pagans. Through the prayers of the saint, numerous miracles and healings occurred. For twenty-five years the archpastor guided his rational flock and reposed at an advanced age in 420.