At this time of great sorrow and suffering, whilst we pray for the peace of the Holy Land and for all who suffer the cruel effects of war, let us turn to St Porphyrios, begging his intercessions for those in besieged Gaza (starved of food, water, medicines and power).
It was in Gaza that St Porphyrios laboured for the Lord and the Christian Faith, fighting the falsehood of paganism with the truth of Faith, his sacred relics lying in the now bomb-damaged monastery that bears his name, and which has sheltered local people regardless of religion – a citadel of humanity, mercy and Christian love for all.
We beseech his prayers and protection for all of the Christians of the Holy Land – a threatened minority facing persecution, hardship and constant violence and hate.
Saint Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza, was born about the year 346 at Thessalonica. His parents were people of substance, and this allowed Saint Porphyrius to receive a fine education. Having the inclination for monastic life, he left his native region at twenty-five years of age and set off for Egypt, where he lived in the Nitrian desert under the guidance of Saint Macarius the Great (January 19). There he also met Saint Jerome (June 15), who was then visiting the Egyptian monasteries. He went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage to the holy places, and to venerate the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord (September 14), then he moved into a cave in the Jordanian wilderness for prayer and ascetic deeds.
After five years, Saint Porphyrius was afflicted with a serious malady of the legs. He decided to go to the holy places of Jerusalem to pray for healing. As he lay half-conscious at the foot of Golgotha, Saint Porphyrius fell into a sort of trance. He beheld Jesus Christ descending from the Cross and saying to him, “Take this Wood and preserve it.”
Coming out of his trance, he found himself healthy and free from pain. Then he gave away all his money to the poor and for the adornment of the churches of God. For a time he supported himself by working as a shoemaker. The words of the Savior were fulfilled when the saint was forty-five years old. The Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Saint Porphyrius to the holy priesthood and appointed him custodian of the Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord.
In 395 the bishop of the city of Gaza (in Palestine) died. The local Christians went to Caesarea to ask Metropolitan John to send them a new bishop who would be able to contend against the pagans, which were predominant in their city and were harassing the Christians there. The Lord inspired the Metropolitan to summon the priest Porphyrius. With fear and trembling the ascetic accepted the office of bishop, and with tears he prostrated himself before the Life-Creating Wood and went to fulfill his new obedience.
In Gaza there were only three Christian churches, but there were a great many pagan temples and idols. During this time there had been a long spell without rain, causing a severe drought. The pagan priests brought offerings to their idols, but the woes did not cease. Saint Porphyrius imposed a fast for all the Christians; he then served an all-night Vigil, followed by a church procession around the city. Immediately the sky covered over with storm clouds, thunder boomed, and abundant rains poured down. Seeing this miracle, many pagans cried out, “Christ is indeed the only true God!” As a result of this, 127 men, thirty-five women and fourteen children were united to the Church through Holy Baptism, and another 110 men soon after this.
The pagans continued to harass the Christians. They passed them over for public office, and burdened them with taxes. Saint Porphyrius and Metropolitan John of Caesarea journeyed to Constantinople to seek redress from the emperor. Saint John Chrysostom (September 14, January 27 and 30) received them and assisted them.
Saints John and Porphyrius were presented to the empress Eudoxia who was expecting a child at that time. “Intercede for us,” said the bishops to the empress, “and the Lord will send you a son, who shall reign during your lifetime”. Eudoxia very much wanted a son, since she had given birth only to daughters. Through the prayer of the saints an heir was born to the imperial family. As a result of this, the emperor issued an edict in 401 ordering the destruction of pagan temples in Gaza and the restoration of privileges to Christians. Moreover, the emperor gave the saints money for the construction of a new church, which was to be built in Gaza on the site of the chief pagan temple.
Saint Porphyrius upheld Christianity in Gaza to the very end of his life, and guarded his flock from the vexatious pagans. Through the prayers of the saint numerous miracles and healings occurred. The holy archpastor guided his flock for twenty-five years, and reposed in 420 at an advanced age.
The Canon to St Porphyrios of Gaza
The composition of George, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
The Church, adorned today with thy teachings as with royal purple, O Porphyrios , is made splendid thereby, and hymneth the Lord of all.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Having shone forth in divine discourses during thy life, thou hast been shown to be a beacon for all men, ever illumining them with thy deeds and teachings, and enlightening the ends of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Cleansed by the sprinkling of the Holy Spirit and arrayed in a garment of divine virtues, O Porphyrios, thou didst enter into hallowed places to minister as a priest unto Him Who anointed thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Son of God, wishing to speak to those who are on earth of His ineffable love for mankind, which passeth understanding, O Bride of God, was born of thee in the flesh, granting regeneration unto the faithful.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Beneath thy feet didst thou lay low the arrogance of the godless who spake against the God of all Himself.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
With the fire of thy words didst thou wisely consume the kindling of Manes, and to the faithful didst thou extend the enlightenment of thy doctrine.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Setting the feet of the faithful firmly upon a steadfast rock, O Porphyrios, thou didst shake the foundation of the godless from its very footing.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All the earth is full of the true knowledge and ineffable glory of thy Son and God, O pure one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone III: Thou didst shine forth in thy deeds like the morning star and didst drive all heresy from the Church, O holy hierarch Porphyrios; and thou didst enlighten the hearts of the faithful, that they might hymn and glorify the Lord. Wherefore, celebrating thy memory today, we cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: He Who alone is Lord, without separating from His divine nature, yet taking flesh in thy womb, remained God though He became a man, preserving thee after thy birth-giving an immaculate Mother and Virgin as thou wast before giving birth. Him do thou entreat, that we be accorded great mercy!
Stavrotheotokion (in place of the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): The unblemished ewe-lamb of the Word, the incorrupt Virgin Mother, beholding Him Who sprang forth from her without pain hanging upon the Cross, lamenting maternally cried out: “Woe is me, O my Child! How is it that Thou dost suffer Who art to deliver man from the indignity of the passions?”
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Having within thy soul the Sun of righteousness and the most radiant splendour of the Faith, O Porphyrios, thou didst illumine all the fullness of the Church with thy discourses.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Made steadfast in the love of God the Word, O Porphyrios, thou didst disdain all the allurement of visible things. Wherefore, we honour thee as an equal to the angels and an honourable and holy hierarch.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou didst partake of the ineffable Mysteries, O Porphyrios, thou didst preserve them by thy pure actions in a pure and ineffable manner, as a worthy initiate of the mysteries.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Gloriously is the Church adorned with thy divine magnificence, O pure one; and, manifestly embellished thereby, it doth glorifieth thee with love, hymning thy birth-giving.
Ode V, Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
With thy words of truth thou didst break the chains of the rhetors, O Porphyrios, establishing the dominion of faith in all ways.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Having drawn forth the Comforter on earth, O venerable one, thou didst pour forth bountiful rivers of the teachings of piety, O Porphyrios.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having dried up the torrents of ungodliness with the fire of thy words, O Porphyrius, thou didst enlighten men with the proclamation of piety.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Strengthened by thee, O all-pure one, with the power of the Spirit we vanquish the adverse foes of the truth of Christ.
Ode VI, Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
O Porphyrios, we all truly have thee as a spiritually animate image of the virtues ever shining forth unto divine deeds; wherefore, we honour thee.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Robed in the power of the Comforter as are those who behold the Word face to face, thou hast been shown to be invincible to the foe, driving away and cutting down their impiety.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Renewing men by the water of baptism and adoption, thou didst lead them forth as children of the Creator, and didst present them pure and immaculate, O Porphyrios.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Mindful of thy divine mysteries and ineffable glory, which transcend recounting, we who boast in thee, O all-pure one, unceasingly glorify thee as the true Theotokos.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Adorned with thy most sacred ways, thou wast resplendent in the vesture of the priesthood, O all-blessed, divinely wise Porphyrios; and by thine exaltations thou dost spread beauty of healings, praying unceasingly in behalf of us all.
Ode VII, Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
The Church of Christ, assailed by contrary winds and assaults, O father, didst thou firmly establish with might; and it chanted unto Him: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
With valour didst thou triumph over the assemblies of heretics, O wise father, arrayed in the armour of the Word; and thou didst cry out to Christ in thanksgiving: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst enter into the paradise of noetic virtues, where thou didst pluck beauteous flowers of truth, with which thou hast shed a sweet fragrance throughout the world, O father Porphyrios.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, the mighty Word of God, Who was born of thee, hath given thee as strength and dominion unto all the weak who cry out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Ode VIII, Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
With thy words didst thou arm and establish the Church of Christ, O wise one. Wherefore, it doth ever triumph over the assault of heresies and doth chant victoriously unto Christ, crying out: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
Having thy mind continually on heaven, O Porphyrios, thou didst ineffably obtain a divine release unattainable by the senses; and beholding the mysteries of Christ with faith, thou didst cry out to Him: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By thy prayers, O Porphyrios, thou didst stop the mouths of the noetic lions that were wickedly roaring forth blasphemies; and with the mighty darts of thy divine words thou didst crush their jaws, earnestly crying out to Him Who made thee strong: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who sitteth upon the throne of the Father’s glory, His Son and Word, Who was born of thee in the flesh, O pure one, hath made thee a divine chariot and a most glorious throne, who alone art hymned by all mortals as their Mistress.
Ode IX, Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
As precious gifts thou didst bring to the munificent Master thy God-pleasing virtues, and those who have been delivered from heresy by thee, magnifying the Creator of all, O venerable father.
Holy father, Porphyrios, pray to God for us.
With the showers of thy tears thou didst quench the flame of the passions; thou didst serve the Creator with dispassion, and hast been vouchsafed greater glories, O Porphyrios, ever hymning and magnifying Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Joining chorus with the angels, saints and the venerable on high, O father Porphyrios, entreat the Lord and Benefactor in behalf of those who hymn and praise thee with faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Master, Who for our salvation became a man, hath given thee, O pure one, as a mediator, protection and healing, unto all who glorify thee with faith and magnify Him with love.
