Saint Porphyrius
Porphyrius (Latin: Porphyrius; Greek: Πορφύριος, Porphyrios; Slavonic: Порфирий, Porfiriy; c. 347–420) was bishop of Gaza from 395 to 420, known, from the account in his Life, for Christianizing the recalcitrant pagan city of Gaza, and demolishing its temples.
Porphyrius of Gaza | |
|---|---|
| Bishop and Confessor | |
| Born | c. 347 Thessalonica, Roman Empire |
| Died | February 26, 420 Gaza, Eastern Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodox Churches |
| Major shrine | Church of Saint Porphyrius |
| Feast | February 26 |
| Attributes | vested as a bishop with omophorion, often holding a Gospel Book, with his right hand raised in blessing |
Porphyrius of Gaza is known only from a vivid biography by Mark the Deacon and from a reference made by John II, Bishop of Jerusalem. The Vita Porphyrii appears to be a contemporary account of Porphyrius that chronicles in some detail the end of paganism in Gaza in the early fifth century. However, the text has been viewed by some in the 20th century as hagiography rather than history, and some elements of it are examples of the stereotyped fictional events characteristic of this literary form. On the other hand, the author was certainly intimately familiar with Gaza in late Antiquity, and his statements are of interest for reflecting 5th-century attitudes. The German librarian Lucas Holstenius wrote a biography of the subject and attempted to locate his manuscripts.
His body is said to be buried in Saint Porphyrius' Church, in Gaza City, in Palestine.